as yet by any means accomplished; for the new world over seas is but yet in its infancy. It is, I believe, true to say that the race or nation which recognizes, not in theory only, but in practice, the fundamental Christian doctrine of the Brotherhood of man, proclaims itself to be a fellow worker together with God in working out the destinies of the world. Just as when we do wrong in private life, we suffer for it, so when we do well, blessings are showered upon us, not as we expect or deserve, but in harmony with the laws of God. When a national policy reproduces the worst vices of a petty parochialism, the death knell of true national progress has already sounded. It cannot be too often repeated, that no nation can exist except in so far as its rulers frame its policy, and its citizens frame their lives on the Christian doctrine of the Brotherhood of man.

But I must pass now to consider some of the obligations which your ancestors have conferred upon us.

First they have set us an example of obedience to conscience, which is priceless. That citizens should reverence their conscience as their king in the ordinary concerns of life, is a moral duty; to carry this obedience into the realm of spiritual activity and religious belief, requires a faith and a consistency of purpose, which we, who live in a more tolerant age, can hardly imagine. It is, I know, a mere pulpit platitude to talk of the sanctity of conscience in the realm of religious belief, and to praise those who have dared all, and suffered all, rather than be false to the Conscience. But I venture to suggest that we apply this test to ourselves, and ask how many articles are there in our creed for which we are prepared here and now to sacrifice every material advantage which we possess ; to take refuge (say) in Bulgaria, or to seal our belief with our life blood. How many of us, comfortable and easy going Christians (if you will forgive what is, I fear, a contradiction in terms) would for Conscience sake voluntarily undergo the cruellest of deaths, or even sacrifice material prosperity? I suppose we must sorrowfully admit that martyrs are made of sterner stuff than comfortable Christians. But let us leave this unpleasant subject. Let me praise your ancestors instead. They certainly deserve far more reverence than they receive: while most of us, I suppose, receive a great deal more respect than we deserve.

Secondly, let me remind you of your ancestors' devotion to Truth, and of the ardour with which they pursued it. To pursue Truth for its own sake, regardless of personal cost, is the one enterprise which never can degrade, and must always

ennoble. To pursue Truth wherever Truth may lead, is the bounden duty of us all, especially of those whose ancestors have suffered for their devotion to this very pursuit. It makes all the difference in the world, said Archbishop Whateley, whether we put Truth in the first place or the second place. The one talent, says a distinguished writer of our day, that is placed in the hands of us all, is to keep the standard of intellectual honesty at a lofty pitch, and to furnish the world with an example of faithful dealing with our own conscience and with our fellows. What is this smile of the world, he continues, to win which we are bidden to sacrifice our moral manhood; this frown of the world whose terrors are more awful than the withering up of Truth and the slow going out of the light within the souls of us. How pitiful a thing seems the approval or disapproval of these creatures of the conventions of the hour, as one figures the merciless vastness of the universe of matter sweeping us headlong through viewless space; as one hears the wail of misery that is for ever ascending; as one counts the little tale of years that separates us from the eternal silence. In the light of these things a man should surely dare to live his small span of life only caring that his days be full of reality, and his conversation of truth speaking and wholeness.

Yes, surely, as we ponder these things; as we see how infinitesimally small our life is when compared with the life of this universe where our lot is cast, let us realize how little we can do and yet how much. Little did your ancestors imagine the priceless heritage which they were bequeathing to the new world as well as to the old: yet we now know that freedom of conscience, liberty of public worship, honesty in matters of belief are essential to the progress and well-being of mankind. It is for us to decide individually and collectively whether we will skulk among the baggage wagons while the battle rages around us, or whether we will dare with God's help to strike some blows for the Right and True. The faith of your ancestors puts to shame the faithless coldness of the times. Forms may change as dynasties pass away: but Truth is great and must ultimately prevail. Dominus illuminatio mea in the motto of the University of Oxford. "I could almost have wished," said a distinguished Professort of our own day, that we could choose in its place magna est veritas et prævalebit.

Yes, the sacrifices which your forefathers made are magni*See Mr. John Morley's Essay on Religious Conformity.

The late Dean Stanley.

ficent: they stimulate us comfortable Christians: they almost startle us out of our lethargy. But while we think of the great names, who are, as it were, the stars in the firmament of your unique history; let us not forget to remember in our thanksgivings,

The bravely dumb that did their deed
And scorned to blot it with a name,

Men of the plain heroic breed

That loved Heaven's silence more than fame.

There may be great names which overshadow the crowd of humble, poor, and dumb peasants who suffered, who sacrificed their all, who died, devoted to the Truth which they professed. They are too small: they are too insignificant : they are too common to be noted by the historian, who describes the progress of freedom of thought, of devotion to duty, of obedience to conscience: they were too poor, perhaps, to make their escape to these shores which, thank God, were hospitable to their more fortunate fellow countrymen. They had to stay and to die: but their little deed, small as it may appear to us comfortable Christians, is assuredly garnered in the great granaries of God: for with God there is neither great nor small, neither first nor last. Their leaders may have done great things, but leaders are useless when they have no followers. The history of the Huguenots is but another instance of the use which God makes of the weak to work His sovereign will: we can but dimly imagine the principalities and powers which were arrayed against these peasants, craftsmen and traders the forces of materialism which were united against them the kings and governments, the aristocracy and the church strove in vain to crush them. Once more in the history of the world the superiority of spiritual over material forces was abundantly proved. Yea, verily, He hath exalted the humble and meek: the rich He hath sent empty away.

:

Let us, I say, thank God and take courage, let us thank God for all the known and the unknown Good who helped to leave the mark of the Huguenot movement on the history of Europe, and "who rest in God's still memory, folded deep; let us who to-day enjoy those blessings of religious liberty and wide tolerance in matters of opinion which they won, thank God and take courage; and, as individuals, let us not forget to pray,

Oh! may I join the choir invisible,

Of those immortal dead who live again

In minds made better by their presence: live

WE praise thee, O God; we acknowledge thee to be the Lord; All the earth doth worship thee; the Father everlasting. To thee all Angels cry aloud: the Heavens, and all the Powers therein.

To thee Cherubin, and Seraphin: continually do cry,

Holy, Holy, Holy; Lord God of Sabaoth;

Heaven and earth are full of the Majesty; of thy Glory.
The glorious company of the Apostles; praise thee.

The goodly fellowship of the Prophets : praise thee.

The noble army of Martyrs: praise thee.

The holy Church throughout all the world: doth acknowledge thee;

The Father: of an infinite Majesty ;
Thine honourable, true, and only Son;
Also the Holy Ghost: the Comforter.

Thou art the King of Glory: O Christ.

Thou art the everlasting Son: of the Father.

When thou tookest upon thee to deliver man: thou didst not abhor the Virgin's womb.

When thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death: thou didst open the kingdom of Heaven to all believers.

Thou sittest at the right hand of God: in the glory of the Father.

We believe that thou shalt come: to be our Judge.

We therefore pray thee, help thy servants: whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious blood.

Make them to be numbered with thy Saints: in glory everlasting.

O Lord, save thy people: and bless thine heritage.
Govern them and lift them up for ever.

Day by day we magnify thee;

And we worship thy Name: ever world without end.
Vouchsafe, O Lord: to keep us this day without sin.
O Lord, have mercy upon us: have mercy upon us.

O Lord let thy mercy lighten upon us: as our trust is in thee.
O Lord, in thee have I trusted: let me never bo confounded.

THE BENEDICTION.

Unto God's gracious Mercy, Guidance, and Protection we commit you the Lord bless you and keep you: the Lord make His face to shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: the Lord lift up the light of His countenance upon you and give you peace, both now and for evermore.

Amen.