Sacramento Daily Union, Volume 16, Number 2340, 27 September 1858 — A DISCOURSE CONCERNING THE GREAT EVENT OF THE AGE. [ARTICLE]

A DISCOURSE CONCERNING THE GREAT EVENT OF THE AGE.

DELIVERED Di THB CONGREGATIONAL CHUBCH, IS SACRAMENTO, uEPTi-ÜBaa 26, is.'.*?. BY THE REV. J. A . BENTON. Job xxxvilL 2b : — Who hath divided a water-course for the overflowing of waters, or a way for the lightning of thunder"

Another great thing has been done. The tidings thereof have electrified the whole world. Everywhere there is joy, and nowhere sorrow ; aud rarely has any great event occurred in any age that touched uo minor key in the scale of human sympathies. And wonderful, as wonderful as the achievement Itself, Is the fact that no one is saddened, no one grieved, and all peoples and nations alike are gratified. But a Submarine Cable is not a new thing. Hundreds of miles of such cable have been doing their work for years past. It has been long foreseen that the day would come, that has come, when a wire would cross the ocean, instead of a channel or a sea. So that this Atlantic Cable Is longer than the bottom-breadth of that ocean, with all its inequalities of surface ; and has, in fact, been dragging its slow length along down through generations. And now that it has crawled through the caverns of the wide sea, we may hope it will ere long uncoil Itself across our continent.

There is a past, a present, an.l a future connected with every such achievement. And this order we shall pursue in our remarks.

1 . Some of the phenomena of electricity are as old as science. And that it would travel along certain substances, people knew centuries ago. Also, that it would travel on wires several hundreds, and even thousands of feet, with instantaneous velocity, has been well known to scientific men more than one hundred and twenty years. That there was a certain connection between the electricity of the earth and air, and that obtained artificially, all observers believed; but it was not till about 1700 that Dr. Franklin, and others likewise, was able to prove by experiment that they were identical ; one and the same, in tact. From that time onward, for thirty years almost, no progress was made toward the recent wonder, although much was learned respecting the means of developing electricity, managing it well, and causing It to figure brilliantly among the experiments of laboratories. Up to about Ivli) no Independent electricity could be gotten. It could only be borrowed from nature, to be soon paid back again. No one could steal any from earth or air and not be detected. Nature would file a lien on it, and get it on execution. The law was Inexorable. From the fixed quantity In her repository, Nature would not part with enough — for good and all— to serve any grand purpose of art or science. The discoveries of Galvani and Volta, near the close of our revolutionary war were the ones that have led on to the electro-magnetic achievements of our age. By these men It was found that electric currents could be produced by the corrosion of different metals in an acid, and that so electricity, in an Independent way, could be generated. These men, however, did not turn their discovery into any channel of practical utility, outside of chemical laboratories. About forty years ag'i the science of electro-magnet-ism, as a separate department, on the basis of Vol a's discovery, began to be built up into large proportions. Oersted, a Dane, was one of the most prominent of those concerned in proving that electricity could be actually manufactured, in _r_ at quantities, for human use, by employing many plates of differ metals— usually copper and zinc — properly arranged, and Immersed In a single large trough, filled with acrid tluid. At that time none knew of any valuable use to which this manufactured electricity could be put; it was only demonstrated that it could be produced at any time and to any amount. Great expectations were Indeed raised upon the basis of this demonstration ; and many scientific men Were engaged months and yean in various experiments. It was not, however, till IS3", that Morse first, and others soon afler, was able to make this manufactured electricity not only send signals through coils of wire of great length — as had often been done— but to record its signals, by means of a beautiful piece of machinery. Then, by making dots, and lines of various lengths, and their combinations, represent the letters or the alphabet, the thing was done; and wires could convey Intelligence. It only remained to perlect the machinery, and try experiments on an extended scale. For there was yet a question to settle which could not be answered in any other way than by experiment. When it was known that the whole process went on finely through miles of wire colled round in heaps in a room ; it was still asserted by many, that the result would not be the same, if the wire were stretched out, in a single line, through the air, an equal number of miles ; as that was a very different thing. But, as we well know, it was found to make no appreciable difference ; and the signal was instantaneous for hundreds of

milts. So complete was the success in sending signals through long wire, that it began to be a matter of anticipation mote than ten years ago, thai, It would be possible to telegraph across the ocean. But half of the scientific men of the world said it was impossible, and the larger part deemed it impracticable. And even up to the day when the enos of this submarine wire were landed, not one man if science in ten would commit himself by saying that he thought an intelligible signal could be sent over the whole length of it. And it is one of the curious facts connected with this attempt, that, up to the time the demonstration was made, Ihe most learned and selenitic were the most incredulous ; and they are, of course, the most surprised at the success already attained. It is not certain, indeed, that all the old difficulties are overcome ; or that new ones will not arise. Various causes operate to retard the sending of signals through submerged wires ; and it has proved a comparatively slow process to send them from France to Algiers. And it need not surprise us to learn that no more than a word of average length in a minute can be transmitted to Europe at present. It may require different and more powerful batteries than those yet in use, to work this linn rapidly ; and there may be need, also, of new and varied Instruments for recording and operating at each terminus. But the main thing is done. 2. In the present aspect of the matter, view It as we will, we are filled with admiration. It is a physical wonder ; it is a commercial wonder ; it is a scientific wonder ; and It Is a moral wonder. There lies in the depths of the ocean a cord of twisted wires, cased in gutla percha, and coated all over with tar, stretching from shore to shore, without a break ; as a certain peculiar demonstration which itself makes at either end testifies. It is more than two thousand miles long, and by far the longer part is down at the depth of two miles on the average. No eye of man has been where it ls. The imagination only can follow it ; as it straightens itself along a level plain ; as It drops down into a valley; as it lies snugly over some hill ; as it coils Itself around some promontory, as it zig-zags among the rocks ; as it hangs itself across some deep gorge ; as it falls sheer down miles into some abyss ; as It lays itself quietly by the mouths of caverns and at the doors of grottoes ; as it reposes carelessly on beds of sapphires, pearls, and gems ; as it runs at ease over bones of sea monsters, over fragments of wrecked ships, over heaps of human remains, over masses of gold, silver, jewelry, plate, and lost human treasures ; and as it rests on tree tops in the coral groves, and disturbs the creatures that people the depths and travel in the paths of the sea. That such a line, cord, or cable, of any sort, or size, or material, should have been put where this is, by any means whatever, leaving to men the assurance that it was not broken— that is a great wonder, merely in its physical relations. And we cannot conceive any possible way In which such a thin_* could have been done, except by means of a wire or cable, that could tell its own condition, and certify lhat Its continuity was a 1 right, notwithstanding its coils, twists, windings, and nun.berless sinuosities.

It is a commercial wonder. It is strange that it was actually undertaken as a business enterprise. The outlay must be immense ; the profits from it doubtful, if It were ever a success ; the probability of success, under the best arrangements, were not more than one in twenty ; and if no success was gained, the whole fell through, and all was lost, but a few strands of cordage. Who would enlist in such an enterprise? Who would invest bis capital in such a speculation i The men were few indeed ; and those were partly moved by other motives than the prospective commercial advantage. But after capital enough was secured to make examinations and provide 2,Cw miles of cable, It must yet have been a failure but for the aid of the British and American Governments, In giving the Company the use of ships from their naval marine, the cost of which, if hired, must have counted millions. Now It was in this connection that the enthusiasm of Field, his energy, courage and perseverance found their scope. He secured the co-operation of capitalists, rallied stockholders, enlisted the aid or the great commercial powers, and pushed the whole thing along, through thick and thin, as only a rare man could do. Nothing but the direst disasters could have defeated him. And we are glad that he was doomed to meet but few of these. When he undertook this business he had a fortune of three-fourths of a million. One-fourth of a million he settled, at the outset, upon his wife and children, and had the rest at command. Doubtless he has spent another quarter of a million in the business, yet as it is, he may in losing have saved It. This successful achievement is also among the wonders or science. Already science had spun Its threads, and spread Its nets and wtbs of wire over continents, so that a man sitting in his snug office could get news from every quarter and extremity, like a spider looking out from his cosey nest, and feeling the tremble of the longest thread over his dominion ; but when science came to the ocean barrier, hoarse voices seemed to say, Hitherto shalt thou go and no further, and here shall thy proud career be stayed ; here we meet, held alike in check by the powers »bove us. But the science or electricians was not alone in demand. The geography of the sea, under Maury, must ceme in; because all was based on the known fact that the ocean depths, at this narrowest part, were but two miles on the average ; and that the bottom was comparatively free from mountains and depressions ; all of which had been demonstrated by deep sea soundings. The science of naval architecture must come in with the ships that could carry such burdens requiring such stowage, The science of engineering must be brought to some new practical tests, and mechanical science must do its part ln the Invention and building of the unique machinery for paying out the cable, which seemed to be only less Intelligent than the wire itself; and which, for seven days and nights, kept up its motion continuously, without creak, strain or break. And here were great steamships, themselves, hitherto, lords of the ocean wave, dropping a little line for science Into the great deep, by which it would be possible hereafter to bid them go or stay, and to exert control over the world's mightiest movement. The event of which we speak is also a moral wender. It lifts man to a bight of moral grandeur which surpasses anything conceived of a century ago. We are beginning now to realize te what a depth our race has fallen under the debasing effects of sin. For, when we see what religion and its civilization, and its science, and its enlightenment, and its Inspiration can do in exalting mankind ; we can perceive what man would have been In a course of holy obedience, and what he may become yet, after his more complete redemption. Men are really juit beginning their triumph over the forces of external nature. God is leading them by his providence, and permitting them to assume this control, just as fast as they are prepared for It, and can employ It for the furtherance of his great moral purposes, in the melioration of their condition, in their relief from bondage to evil, In the easing or their burdens or toll, and ln tbelr deliverance from super stltlons, and all their unnatural servitude to lusts and passions. This achievement is but another vast link, forged and placed, In the grand chain of providential events which connects our times with the ages gone. The moral of the Divine providence la this matter we must not lose sight of. It was only of God's pleasure that this work

could have been done. It was the fourth attempt of this year, and the sixth, reckoning those of last year ; so that the probabilities were as fifteen to one against suacess-as-suming there were twenty to one at the outset. In the sea and the weather the favor of Providence was signally shown ; so that nothing was injured, no disaster occurred, no life was lost, not a man was hurt. And it was a fitting finale of those eight days of anxiety, when they had gotten the end of the cable ashore, and had drawn it up the hill to the station, in the dimness of the early morning, ln a silent tremor of rapture, that good old Captain Hudson would allowneither talking nor shouting, until, as the morning broke, clear and beautiful, he had offered praise -.nd prayer to Almighty God for their success — and ended with saying, "to God be all the glory I" Then the rigor of discipline was relaxed, and the enthusiasm of the men broke forth, and they ran, and leaped, and sang, and shouted, and raised their huzzas — till all their force

was spent. And we may surely find this moral in the whole transaction—that, when God by his spirit prompts and Inspires men to undertake great things, and by his providence favors them, lhat then his set time is come— success is sure, and nothing is impossible ! And as the angels .mil- sang— as they may sing yet again— so we may join the million voices of the world that are saying, " Glory to God," etc. 8. And now what or it ? For all that we have said would be true were an earthquake to part the cable, and change the bed of the ocean. The story of man's moral progress, of his advancement In the world, is almost exactly marked by the progress he has made in finding out the occult laws and hidden processes of nature, and In reducing to his own use the mysterious aid various forces or the material world. And now it has come to pass, that in one respect, he has found out a way for the lightning of thunder ; and He sends the liglnings on his errands far ; And they returning say, '■ I. ►, here we are !" Is this marvel to be but a marvel ' Is the achievement to be but an empty aud barren one? if any cause should sever this wire, will Its results fail ? And must It be confessed that man cannot be lord of earth and sea, nor ever recover his dominion of the world, and subdue it wholly to his control ! .Must we pause somewhere, and is this to be the last wonderful accomplishment of our age J In our day it is difficult to foresee; it Is hazardous to predict. We are unable to see distinctly, not because the future looks dark, but simply because there are such splendors arising that our sight is dazzled. The milky way is dim and shadowy, not because vapors are congregated there, but because there is such a world of stars piled Into it. We may safely say, however, that this marvel will be such, and more. Great events are apt ta keep within hailing distance of one another. Some Other one is surely coming; and our century will not close nor nil of us die before some newer wonder will wake the world to

joyNothing can now prevent the girding of the world with telegraphic wires, even if this one breaks down. It is only a matter of time. The very feelings that have been called forth by this hoped for, yet unexpected accomplishment, have made a trans-Atlantic telegraph a necessity, and we can never more be long without one, or many. Men have hardly had time to forecast results. They were so little sanguine of immediate success, that they did not trouble themselves to think what would follow in the wake of it. What will be the results In the world of commerce; what will be the results in the sphere of statesmanship and in the relations of governments; what will be the results upon the ordinary pursuits of men ; what will be the results in pushing on to new discoveries in science and new applications of natural forces ; and what will be the results on the virtue and happiness of mankind, none of us are farsighted enough to declare. But Is evident that all are anticipating good ami not evil to tlow from the achievement. Their belief is, that it is to have a quickening and exalting influence upon men, and all the ongoings of life and business; and that it can work no serious evil, and result ln no permanent mischief. And this belief Is grounded, so far as there are reasons, ln moral reasons; rather than In conclusions drawn from past experience and observation ; such data not being very numerous or reliable, lerhaps we ought, rather than anything else, to regard this general outburst of joy as Instinctive ; as the human heart in a state of prophecy; and as Impelled by something deeper and truer than it comprehends, as yet. For my part, glad as 1 am, proud as I am, and Inspirited as I am. in view of this grand achievement, marking a new stage in human progress, 1 confess that 1 am not satisfied to rest in it ; and lam sure that thousands are in the same mental condition, and that the providence of God will not suffer them to be at ease, until yet greater th tigs have been done. I look for tne lime to come when a motive power will lie substituted for steam, more energetic, cheaper, more controllable, and one that will be far more compact in its machinery ; to the time when, by the cheap and ready decomposition of water it. elementary gases will supply every demand for fuel and lights; to the time when an elementary gas will be eliminated, cheaply and plentifully, so much lighter than hydrogen, thai it will sustain great weights In the upper strata if the atmosphere, and that so the problem of .-•rial navigation will be solved, and travelers will scare the eagle among the clouds, outdo him in his flight, and make the circuit of the world In a very tew days. If these things are dreams now, it matters not. Many such dreams have come to pass, and many more will. For such things the world is not now prepared ; but it will be then, at least, when all peoples shall have become Christian; when their barriers shall be broken down: when they shall dwell together as one great family, and one song shall employ all nations. God will brine about in due time all those revolutions and achievements, physical and moral, which the progress of his kingdom demands ; and since all things are clone by him only for the sake of that kingdom, men will see the time hen al! natural forces will beat their command in order to hasten the grander consummation, when the kingdoms of the world shall be the kingdoms of our Lord and his Christ. It is gratifying and cheering that this line of wire connects the two great nations of the world that are doing the most for its civilization, progress and evangelization; the two nations that speak '.he same language, possess the same literature, and have the most sympathies In common, reading the same Bible, and proftssing the same religion. These two nations must lead the world. France is on the road to political perdition. No one knows what she wants, or what she will do — does she know herself. And, as the second great power In Europe, Russia will ere long supplant her. This new bond of union between us and Great Britain will soon dissipate all lingering animosities and obstinate prejudices, and make the two nations one in their efforts to establish their Institutions of civil and religious liberty everywhere; in their humane and philanthropic enterprises; in their endeavors to advance human society and well-being, by fostering colonies and protecting weak nations In their struggles for a better future; and In their zeal for the circulation of the Holy Scriptures, and the spread of the Christian religion. My hearers, we come to love one another more by intercourse, and by union In enterprise. And henceforth the countries now joined, so as to feel the same electric thrills, will love and admire each other more. And our people will hereafter know more of Europe and her affairs than formerly ; and we shall feel a deeper interest in all that happens there, and be able to use our influence in behalf of liberty and religion there far more effectively. And gradually, as we come into instant communion with all the world, shall we gain power over the nations and teach them the blessings of our goodly heritage. In what a time do we live I What a generation is ours ! What events excite our wonder! What marvels are casting their shadows before I How grandly does the future loom up in our moral hor.zon ' What ntalured giants are coming upon the earth again I The old Titans are living once more, not to destroy, but to construct and save. We have but to employ them well, to make all forces our own. We are passing through a memorable year, In other respects, and this will make It an epoch. It reminds us afresh what strides the physical sciences are making In our days. Their progress is wonderful ; but their perfection is yet a great way off. These and other sciences are of God, and are good. They will praise him, and establish his truth. For there is nothing good In this world which does not favor the Christian religion, nor is there anything good which this religion does not foster. True, In their crude and Imperfect stages, some of these sciences have been used by skeptical and evil minded men to disparage Christianity and break the authority of the Bible. But they cannot succeed. The very weapons they employ In more advanced and perfected states will be turned against themselves, and made to verify God's word, and the religion of Christ. Let no believer falter; no Christian despair! Let no faith be weak ; and no fidelity waver ' Let no voice of prayer be hushed , and no devotion grow cold I Let no hands hang down; and no heart be faint I "The earth Is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the Hoods. The right hand of the Lord is exalted ; the right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly. This is the Lord's doing it is marvellous In our eyes." "And he rode upon a eh.rub and did fly ; yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind. He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round about him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies. The Lord al-.o thundered in the heavens, and the highest gave his voice; hall stones and coals of fire. Yea, be sent out his arrows and scattered them, he shot out lightnings, and discomfitted them."

And thus prevail thou still against thine enemies, 0 Lord? And so ride thou forth, to rule amid all thy works, 0 Most High 1 And amid their great achievements and advancing glories, let all men say : " Alleluia. Great and and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty '.''

Yreka. — The Union, of Sept. '-.-.d, records the subjoined intelligence :

Last Saturday a young man by the name of Baker, residing on the Flats above town, had occasion to go up the Humbug Mountain hunting cattle. About sunset he was returning by the way of the Humbug trail, and when a short distance this side of the summit, a man closely veiled stepped from behind a tree and ordered him to stop, at the same time demanding his money. Baker was on foot hading his horse. The robber became alarmed and tied, on seeing some persons approaching. J. D. Turner, of this city, has a young apple tree in his garden, transplanted this year, which has been in blossom three times during the past Summer, without producing a sign of fruit. Miners on Humbug are as a general thing making big wages, some of them doing extremely well. GrifForth k Co., some distance below the Forks, are making from nine to fourteen ounces per day, and claims, both above and below, are paying equally as well. A new trail is now nearly completed from Howlit's trading post on Indian Creek, at the mouth of French Gulch, to Scott River. It is said by those who traveled it to be an easy and excellent trail. It materially reduces the distance between the river and Yreka, and will, it is thought, be comparatively free from snow in the Winter. i.'^: _-._.•".£

El Dorado. — We learn that there is great scarcity of . water for mining purposes in the lower part of this county so much so that mining interests are suffering.