JUBILEE ADDRESSES.

Evening Star, Issue 7247, 25 June 1887, Page 2 (Supplement)

JUBILEE ADDRESSES.

BISHOP NEVILL AT ST. PAUL’S. The throne is established by righteousness Provcibs, xiv., 12.

Seldom have I essayed to address a public assembly under a keener sense of responsibility than that which oppresses me at this moment. The unique character of the occasion, exciting as it does such lively sympathy, touching such deep emotions, opening such" vast and varied fields for thought, convicts me of inability to express all that the people will desire to have expressed ; to interpret for my hearers their own burning thought within. Yes, my theme is almost boundless, but my opportunity is limited and powers inadequate. Bear with me therefore if, while I strive to seize upon and present to you what to me appears the excellent glory of Victoria’s reign, I fail to paint you such a picture as you look for, or to rise at all to the greatness of the occasion.

We habitually take the throne as the concrete expression for the Empire. In proportion then as the throne reflects the will, the intelligence, and the affections of the people, there will be confidence and harmony, for there will be reciprocity. The throne, under such circumstances, becomes morally to the nation what the heart is physically to the human body, the great dynamic centre and fountain of energy. As the physical organ gathers to itself the spent and vitiated currents of the material body and imparts to them fresh impulse, so is it the function of the throne—the accredited centre of a nation’s power—to give the strength of concentration, of unity of purpose, and of operative capacity to the whole body politic. I lay some stress upon this familiar simile, because it helps me to define the subject upon which I desire to speak to-night, and will help you, perhaps, to grasp it. My text says “ the throne is established by righteousness.” Herein, therefore, we have something that is moral and even spiritual in its nature united to that which is secular, and declared to be the saving principle within it. I have chosen this text because it is a statement in God’s own words of the truth exemplified for fifty years by the monarch, recognised by a grateful nation, and expressed by this universal Jubilee—namely, that it is not authority only, nor natural force alone, which can give security and happiness to a nation, but that moral and religious principle must be wedded to material power; nay, rather, must pervade and interpenetrate it inseparably if the rule is to be permanent and the nation prosperous. Suffer me, then, in further explication of my position, to go back to my physical illustration. Not that organic structure can establish moral or spiritual truth ; but because those marvellous harmonies which prevail between all realms of things visible and invisible are as rays of light flashing from one dominion to another. I spoke of the throne as the heart. The heart, as the organ of power and impulse, is indeed the motor in the system of circulation ; but it does not itself, mark you, purify the vital stream. It delivers over that which it has recivcd to another organ, whose function it is to purify and vitalize function—that is, instrumcntally, not by iuherent quality, for the lungs in themselves could no more restore life than the heart, but because they arc wondrously adapted to present the darkened stream to the life-giving air of Heaven. This done, the lungs, as you know, become servants to the heart, and return again to it that which they received, but fitted for its appointed task, which task the heart now sends it forth to work. Herein is a parable ; it needs but few words to explain it; it sets forth the same lesson as my text, viz., that not every influence of power is life-giving, but that use of power which directs to the sanctifying element ensures progressive and permanent dominion. You will say and rightly, that if the heart be the throne, the other organ, with its purifying operations, must represent the Church of God, and you will say that the action and reaction of the one with the other for the advantage of the whole body, forcibly displays the value to a nation of the intimate co-operation of the Church and State. I am not now pressing this argument into the service of the vexed question of State support to religious institutions in a material sense (though surely if ever sectarianism were got rid of, as the prayer of this special service seeks, even this would seem natural and right). But I am discussing no such question; I am treating rather of religion in the abstract, or, if I speak in detail of our own communion, it is because I am most familiar with the history of its doings, and because, as a fact, in the most important portion of our Sovereign’s

Empire it is the acknowledged religion of the land.

It is, I take it, the pre-eminent glory of Victoria as a Queen that from the opening of her reign till now she has marked and cherished as _ necessary to good government the principle of the connection of religion with rule. When, as on this day fifty years ago, the youthful virgin Queen received the homage of her leading subjects, that which won the hearts of veteran warriors and statesmen, even more than her natural attractions and the eloquence of the situation, was her unconsciousness of self and her simple faith in God. The nation saw in this an augury of good. Nor was the promise broken to the hope. Whether that noble act of hers in sending God’s own law to the inquiring King as the secret of England’s greatness were inspired by the worthy Archbishop of that day, or whether directly by the Spirit of God, this act of her early reign was a further proof of her grasp of the true principle ; and more, it was a symbol of the reign itself, the secret of its greatness, the pledge of its abiding influence. The last recorded personal action of our venerated Queen is in perfect keeping with that evermemorable incident. To write as she has written upon the first page of the Jubilee Bible just presented to her the words of the holy anthem which hailed the advent of a Saviour to a groaning world, “ Peace on earth and goodwill towards men,” is evidence that from her first girlish essays in government to her ripe and pre-eminent atcainmeut of that mastery of principles, and unfailing felicity of application, which calls forth a nation’s gratitude, Victoria has known that power itself is powerless unless it be of God.

Does anyone ask What need has the preacher to make so much of that which is merely personal in the ruler of the Empire ? I answer that we, as a people, have not received in vain that divine revelation of the moral influence of the ruler upon the people which is traced with unerring hand in the pages of the Old Testament. I answer again that this world-wide jubilee is meaningless if it does not testify to the nation’s profound conviction that, to the utmost bounds, it is concerned with and affected by the example of the Throne. That great pageant and procession which, almost while I speak, is beginning to bestir itself for its progress to the house of God, goes to the National Temple, close by the great Hall of Judgment, whence for a thousand years the laws of the monarch have been promulgated, to sing its psalm of thanksgiving for the blessing of a righteous ruler—a Queen who is not ashamed to acknowledge that she is a servant of the Ring of Kings, and to pray that He may direct her paths. The world conceives that nothing is required in a ruler except sagacity and strength. It has been always so, and so it is. Go back, as far as historic memory will reach, or listen if you will to infallible prescriptions propounded as cures for local and present ills. It is still the same. Power is invoked apart from God ; intelligence without reference to His precepts. As if Assyria, and Greece, and Rome had never been, or as if their decay had never taught the need of something more than power and intelligence to preserve a nation’s being. It can never be said these nations were not strong. The record of their unsurpassed achievements are written in indelible characters. It can never be said that it was because they were deficient in intellect that they crumbled to decay. Astronomy and geometry, sculpture, architecture, and philosophy can give the lie to such a supposition. If we gauge ourselves by what has come down to us of their accomplishments—not indeed in matters of detail, but in regard to force, and grandeur, and originality of conception, we cannot claim to be their intellectual superiors, unless indeed the workman who elaborates a design be greater than the designer. They have gone ; and if it be but that we have expanded their principles, delighted ourselves with the beneficent results, or, if you like, have made deeper researches and new discoveries, we too shall follow, and afford in our dissolution one more opportunity to those who say that the life of a nation is but as the life of a man. It bears in itself the law of death, must wither and depart. I know not if a nation may become immortal, but this I know, for experience proves it, that when righteousness, and truth, and purity, and faith, aud love shine brightly in throne and people, and are reflected back from one to the other like the sunbeams from the surface of the ocean, then there is joy and prosperity, strength and peace, and vigorous life which in its expansion refuseth all restraint. Such has been the history of our nation during the reign of Victoria our Queen. It is no part of my contention that every specific action of our rulers has been right, or that during this whole period there have not been blots upon our fair escutcheon as a nation. There have been, not only political errors, but national sins for which we should weep, and national disgraces for which we should feel ashamed, as well as social disorders for which we are being punished every day. But, judged as nations should be judged, broadly and comparatively, I think it is as I have said. We may not boast, but yet the fact that we do somewhat lament our sins is at least a proof that we are not merely as those byegone empires of which I spoke, whose glory was in their shame, who recorded as their highest praise deeds of brutal ferocity, of devilish oppression of the weak, of rapine and of lust. I showed a while ago that our Sovereign has from her very childhood until now taken care to manifest, unostentatiously indeed, but significantly, her faith in God and reverence for His Word; and I have shown, and might show more fully, that it is in this her care to interweave God’s law with man’s that she has, in womanly humility and instinctive trust, risen to a higher platform than the proudest conqueror, and that we are blessed in her. What a contrast between her evergrowing moral exaltation and the bloodstained meteor-like career of the First or even of the Third Napoleon. Their names are gone out in darkness. Hers receives alike the tribute of admiration from the highest potentates ot Europe and from poor Malietoa in his thatched palace in Samoa. Is it mere power ? is it mere intelligence has made the difference ? I say again it is the verification of God’s own declaration. The throne is established by righteousness. If I have been right in seizing upon this acknowledgment of God as the great characteristic of the government of Victoria, let us see, so far as a brief summary may declare, whether our national history during the past fifty years corresponds with the promises made by the Almighty to the nation and people that serveth Him. You know what such promises are, expressed not merely in general terms as “he that knoweth me I will honor,” but with the utmost circumstantiality of detail so as to challenge observation from the least observant, and proof which shall be clear to the meanest intelligence, God himself demands that we should prove him thus. On the condition of faithful obedience He urges us to try him, and see if ho will not pour out a blessing which neither our fathers nor our fathers’ fathers have seen. The promises made to the Israelites were made to them as to a specimen people, and are therefore just as valid to any nation which shall accept the conditions; and the terms of the promise given in the 28th chapter of Deuteronomy are explicit and unreservedsave by the condition “if thoushalthearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God.” The blessings thus pledged include preeminence among the nations, extension, security, abundance in population and in wealth, the very opening of God’s own trea-sure-house, and, above all, the blessing of cognisable acknowledgment on the part of God Himself. " All the people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the Lord, and shall be afraid of thee.” Is it too much to appropriate every word of this description to the period under review ? If you are doubtful, learn what England was at the accession of Victoria and consider what she is now. Test in any department you may choose the advance by the advantage—the faotsjas you embrace them are more like a romance than a reality; and if you say we have only enjoyed our share in the general progress of humanity, I reply that the facts prove rather that the race has been blessed in us, since from our land, as from a ceaseless fountain, these blessings have gone forth. I said extension, wealth, population, were marks of God’s own acknowledgment of the people who acknowledge Him. Exten-

sion ! We at least, the antipodes of Britain, can bear our witness to it. I must not stay to speak of the nascent Empire of Australia, for our own island home is a type of the nation’s growth. In 1837 New Zealand was a synonym for savagery. A few sailors, a handful of Christian missionaries, were almost the sole representatives of England’s sway. The expansion of our Empire is so marvellous that the addition of a kingdom such as Burmah, which in other times would have been distinction enough for a single reign, excites attention but for a passing day. And, mark you, for it should be noted, we have already entered that land for God. The other day the Queen’s representative, in the Queen’s name, attended the consecration of a great building to a cathedral, the visible centre of religious influence—sign to be read by all that we do desire to display that righteousness which establisheth a throne and exalteth a nation. Population! Its increase is an abiding marvel, Science may perhaps explain it, but this is no more than to show how God gives us his blessing. An increase of 1.000 every day in England alone ; the population of New Zealand in but a few months ! Think of Great Britain rolling off nations from her shores every few years, and yet filling her borders to the full. On that we could say all were God-fearing, Christ-loving people ! Oh that there were no dense and degraded masses lying in wickedness ! And yet, judged by the standard of nations, there is light. I have ventured to speak of the royal person who is our head. I may remind you that the offspring of that august mother, and all the royal circle, emulate her highest example. Who, among the humblest of the land, work harder than do they ? Arts and sciences, social and charitable institutions, religious or imperial enterprises call upon them daily for countenance and gracious aid, aud that countenance is given, given cheerfully and ably, and by none more cheerfully, more ably, than by him who in nature’s course should one day mount the throne. To know the real influence of such a family upon the peopleof the land you should have witnessed, as I witnessed, the intense anxiety of people of every class in the hour of that Prince’s danger. Bulletins were eagerly scanned, were waited for from hour to hour; horsemen hurrying to and from with the last issues from telegraph or Press; and when on that great Sunday morning Alexandra, Princess of Wales, hearing that man could do no more, betook herself to God, and ran to that village church at Sandringham to prostrate herself before the Sovereign Disposer of all events, how mighty the throb of anguished prayer that rose with hers from the nation’s knees to the Throne of Grace, and when, quicker than lightning flash the answer came from Heaven “ He liveth,” oh ! who shall tell the nation’s more than electric thrill of joy and gratitude as the news was heard ! A duke sent his messenger to me, and a slip was handed to me at the prayer-desk in my parish church. I read it to my people, “ He liveth ! ” It was a sermon from the skies. Who could not see and feel that God was our God, and that we were His people ? Do you doubt the influence of such a family upon the people ? Near ten years ago from the footsteps of the throne in the House of Lords I heard the leaders of parties vie with each other to describe the goodness and the sweetness of the Princess Alice, then lately taken to her rest. Beaconsfield and Granville, with all their powers, did not exhaust the theme, for the nation had known her, favorite daughter of Albert the Good, in her tender pity for a nation’s woes, I myself have known her, leaning on the arm of a private gentleman, go through the wards of a country hospital aud speak such words of sympathy to the afflicted as would never be forgotten by them, and would be told on returning to their homes to all their families. What wonder that such a royal family can command the services of the best and noblest in the land to do the nation’s work ! Hence, England’s Parliament becomes remarkable for Prime Ministers and Chancellors as known for their religion as their talents —Prime Ministers whose churchmanship is vigorous and active, Chancellors whose piety may be felt on the woolsack, but shines from the teacher’s chair in the village Sunday school. And thus it comes to pass that bishops, not politicians only, have been given to the nation’s Church —bishops who have known that it is theirs to use God’s gifts to sanctify a nation’s power. Thus, religion, not ignored but favored by the throne, is by ten thousand helpful hands presented to the people, and God’s blessing of overflowing multitudes remains a blessing rather than changes to a curse. And of the nation’s wealth, what can we say ? I leave statisticians to tell you of its growth. It is mine to remind you that that growth is but another proof that God performs His promises to the full: “The blessing shall be upon thy storehouse, and upon all that thou puttest thine hand unto.” And I want to show too how the Godfearing country has used at least some portion of its wealth. There are no means of telling what millions have been bestowed in private ways upon the poor and sick, nor can I tell you how much the general public has spent in various forms of religion and benevolence, but I am able to put before you some account of how the Church portion of that public have used God’s gifts. During the Queen’s reign seven new bishoprics have been endowed in England, each with a sum to yield L 3,000 a-year ; 6,000 new buildings for divine worship have been erected during the latter half of the reign alone. Not to detain you with details, it has been shown that during this period of twenty-five years the sum spent on Church purposes generally has been' L 51,500,000, and this immense amount is largely on the increase, for the last issue of the Church ‘ Year-book ’ shows that in the year 1885—the last year for which statistics were to hand, and the account being for 80 per cent, only of the parishes of England—the amount raised by voluntary contributions alone was L 3,919,568, or nearly L 4,000,000 in one year ! Think of what a million is; think of the effort needed to raise even L 50,000; think more of the work done for so much money, and remember that the Church educates, apart from the Board schools, more than half the children of the land. Again we see the action and reaction of which I spoke at first, for surely the effects are incalculable of the work represented by this expenditure of wealth upon the moral and spiritual condition of the people of the land. And now it remains only that I should narrow all this argument to a focus that you may not lose its force. I have set forth first, as a general principle, the necessity under Divine law of the impregnation of human government with moral and spiritual forces in order to its efficiency and duration. I have shown that nations, however endowed with all that man might regard as requisite to ensure perpetuity and advancement, nevertheless, ignoring this law, have lost their empire and political existence. I have shown that England—a nation which laid down this principle as the basis of security in the coronation oath of Egbert, that is when first its throne was established—has flourished in proportion as this law was faithfully observed, and that never, in the 1.000 years of her existence, has this contract with God been more faithfully adhered to than by that monarch who to-day calls upon her subjects in every clime to render thanks to God. I have shown that in Victoria’s reign the religion of the Righteous One has not only not been ignored but so acknowledged that the Church which embodies it has had princes for its nursing fathers and the Queen herself for its nursing mother, and that therefore all have been encouraged to throw their honor and wealth and power into it; and that following upon these things it has been found —found almost to the amazement of the world—that the old, old pledges of God, given in the simpler days of Moses, have been fulfilled to the letter, tested by every standard of a nation’s greatness —extension, population, wealth—fulfilled to the men of this generation. What can I say more ! What but this: that if it is wonderful—a wonder passing all explication save to the man of God—that the little nation pent in an island of the far-off frozen North should thus become the mother of the empires (for great America is but her eldest child), surely young New Zealand has a word to hear. Surely she will drop her youth—conceit and listen—listen to these lessons from the Mother Land, listen to the voice of this great Jubilee, and take some count of God. Oh, dear, yet faithless land, I cry to thee. Groaning thou liest under the burthens of self-will, self-love, and folly. Turn to this

primeval law of God, this law of righteousness, integrity, and truth. Behold and learn this law as taught by Christ. No longer in cold negative, “ Thou shalt not steal ”j, but with an active, all-embracing force, “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” This will prove to thee the purifier of politics, the safeguard of wealth, and the sweetener of social bonds ; in one word, tins shall be thy life. AT TRINITY CHURCH. The Rev, Mr Pabsonson at Trinity Wesleyan Church on Monday night delivered an address on “The social and religious progress during Her Majesty’s reign,” He said that in dca'ing with such a subject he felt as if he were looking at Cologne Cathedral from one of the streets adjoining. In order to see that magnificent building properly there should be a-quarter of a mile clear space all around it; and in dealing with his subject ho felt that those who were at present living were too near to recent events to form correct opinions. He would, however, attempt to take a glance at the social' and religious progress during Her Majesty’s reign. It should bo remembered that the efforts of all Governments should be to make the best use of the powers of every man. No man could be made good by Act of Parliament; the elevation must always bo on the part of the individual. Home and family life in the Home Country fifty years ago was a melancholy picture as far as the poor people were concerned, for they rather vegetated than lived. He was glad to bo able to speak of the magnificent deeds apd philanthropy of George Peabody, an -A meric in citizen living in London, who gave L 350.000 for the improvement of the dwelling-houses of the artisans. The prin ely and kindly Christian gentleman was written to and thanked in the most delicate terms by Queen Victoria. She aim sent him a miniature portrait of herself; the gift she was able to give, he, as an American citizen, nobly refused to accept-a baronetcy, or any such honor. George Peabody was al-o presented with the Freedom of the City of London. They should thank God for such men ai George Peabody, who had accomplished so much for the artisan and laboring class. Since that time many efforts had been made in the same direction Coffee palaces had been established in different parts of London; but the most conspicuous effort to teach the poor the beauties of home life was Toynbee Hall, where all laborers could obtain al- kinds of refreshments at the lowest prices, had the use of reading rooms, etc. Entertainments were also going on there, and they were taught the truths of the Gospel ani the elements of science. More recently was the opening of the People’s Palace, and ha hoprd God would grant that many such palaces would be opened. There could be no attempt at moral improvement without the surroundings being changed. He himself had seen people living in such circumstances in the Old Country that he could hardly believe possible. He bad seen families of ten and twelve growing up to manhood and womanhood in a slab and wattle cottage of one room, and there were many such places at Home. It was not until Queen Victoria’s reign that the first solid attempt was made to provide better hours for the mass of the people. When Queen Victoria came to the Throne children who should have been at their mothers’ knees were working half naked and starved in coalmines, and little toddlers were working longer hours in the factories than the strong men of New Zealand would care to work. This blot on England’s escutcheon no longer existed, and thanks were due to the noble Farl of Shaftesbury. As Lord Ashley, in 1840, he moved for a Commission to inquire into the manner in which females and children were worked in factories. He would not advise anyone to read the report of that Commission, as it would be the saddest day’s work tney ever did. So shocked were the people of England at the slate of affairs that was disclosed that in a short time the Factories Bill was passed. About this time thehours for female labor were lessened, and boys were no longer allowed to climb the chimneys for sweeps. In 1838 an effort was made to reach the poor children through ragged schools, and all had seen the good that had come out of that mov.ment. In 1870 the Education Act was passed, which meant that all the children were compelled to go to school. Although in 1837 England was the home of arts and learning, education in these things was practically locked up until 1854, when the Crystal Palace was opened. Then there were musical entertainments at nominal prices, and pictures and sculpture open to all. This was the first great attempt to reach the people, and aftar wards museums and libraries were < pened all over England. After referring to the great exhibi'ions that had been held, he went on to say that perhaps the greatest educating influence of the past fifty years was the facility for travelling which had been multiplied beyond all conception. The middle classes derived the greatest benefit from th<R, and through the medium of Cook’s, Gaze’s, andjGardiner’s-personally conducted tours had been able to travel all over the Continent of Europe. Regarding social morality there had been a vast improvement, and ho hoped that it was within reasonable distance when men who lived openly unclean lives would not be admitted into decent society. —(Applause.) There had never been any encouragement for license on the part of the Queen and her Court.— (Applause.) It was not always thus. At one time the Court led in the license. But the Queen had altered all this. Hers had been a pure and spotless Court. Speaking of the progress that had been made in temperance, he said that in 1839 Father Mathew had started his crusade in Ireland, Scotland, and England. From that time men and men of the highest philanthropy had tried to wipe off what had been well called “England’s curse.” The ancient drinking customs of the Old Country had been greatly abated, but he hoped to see the time when no drunkenness would exist. (Applause.) He then referred to the progress that had been made in the treatment of the insane and criminal, the prohibition of duelling, prize fighting, and cock fighting. Speaking of the religious progress of the last fifty years, be said they would see that there had been a marvellous revival in the interest in evangelical work. There was never a time when more strenuous efforts were being made to save all and sundry of the various churches. The disabilities under which the Nonconformists and Dissenters had laid under had been swept away.—(Applause.) In 1844 the Dissenter’ Chapel Bill was passed, and from then uptoth present the Legislature had been forced to re move all the disabilities the Dissenters labored under. Formerly the highest seats of education were excluded to Dissenters, but in 1871 the Univerdties Test Bill was passed, which threw the doors open to all. There were never more commentaries than at present, and for a few pence books by the best men on the best subjects could be bought. Tho Bible had been recently revued for the first time since 1611. The Palestine Exploration Society had done good work, and mission enterprise was extended over the whole world. In 1837 the total income of the missionary socit ties was L 300,000, the number of missionaries 760, and converts 40.000. In 1887 the income was L 2,000,000, tho number of missionaries 35,000, converts 275.000, and scholars 650,000. During the last twenty years strenuous efforts had been made in the East and West Ends of London to found gospel missions, and much good had been done. After referring to the progress made by the Wesleyan Methodists the rev. speaker concluded by urging his hearers to remember with gratefulness all the benefits they had received, and to follow the example that had been well set by the Queen. —(Applause.)

The Rev. W. Mohlky delivered an address upon “ Our Political and Religious Privileges.” The Queen’s dominions embraced 8,500,000 square miles, and contained a population of 300,000,000, who were actually under her authority. There had never been such political freedom as that wo had enjoyed; in fact, every man was free to anything ho lik. d, and the law only stopped him when he did wrong. An effort had been made to give oven subject races a share in the government of their country, and with the Hindoos this movement had been very successful. The speaker briefly touched upon the Reform Bill, and, in reference to the political progress of the Empire, mentioned that in 1848 Chartism was almost a bogie, yet now we possessed nearly all those privileges that the Chartists asked for. Speaking on the educational privileges that we possessed, he stated that he was not contented with the present system in this Colony, and he urged upon his hearers to only support those candidates at the generd election who were prepared to advocate Bible reading in the schools under a conscience clause and a time-table. They should look upon the franchise as a sacred trust; it was too often made a weapon of party warfare and maliciousness, and sometimes was unused. Every man should carefully use this great privilege and see that the men who they returned kept their private engagements; for men who did not keep private engagements could be hardly expected to keep public ones. The religious privileges we enjoyed had been gradually gained, for until 1848 Jews were debarred from holding any public or civic office, and it was in 1854 that the first Jew sat in Parliament. Sixteen years ago every man who required to take honors at the great universities was r. quired to subscribe to the Thirty-nine Articles of the Church of England, but the Universities Test Bill had abolished this. Thirty or forty years ago a cry had been raised because the Pope nominated a Bishop of Southwark, that England was going to be given over to Papacy; but now no one cared what Bishops were appointed. The disestablishment of the Irish Church had been productive of great spiritual work. Sectarian distinctions were being gradually removed, and he looked on it as a good sign that Christian

scholars of all churches were invited to help itt the revision of the Bible. He concluded by reminding his headers that those privileges were accompanied by heavy and responsible duties, which it was to be hoped the people of the Empire would act up to.