LORD SHAFTESBURY'S SPEECH. 97 am an Englishman—one of those who can identify themselves with that thorough good feeling of kindness and conscientious appreciation of merit, which is manifested on this occasion. To you, my good young friends whom I am especially addressing, I know you have been subjected to many temptations, to many adverse influences; but I thank God Almighty, who has preserved you. What a satisfaction it will be to you to know that your life and morals will be an example to others to follow, and that the conscientious fulfilment of duty which you have exhibited, will be an incentive for others to emulate. I am requested by the superintendent of one of the largest departments in this Exhibition, to announce to you this striking fact,—and if there are any gentlemen of the press present, I wish them to place it permanently upon record,—that in the refreshment department 1500 people have been employed, three-fourths of whom were women, and that not one of them has subjected herself to a dismissal on account of misconduct. Is not that something for you and me to be proud of? Ought you not to be grateful to the Omnipresent Being who has saved you from evil, and delivered you from temptations? I will not ascribe to self-interest such conduct, which is pregnant with virtue; I will ascribe it to a higher motive, a loftier principle, a holier feeling. I believe in this country there has long been growing in the minds of the people a sensible feeling of self-control, a dignity of mind, enabling them to distinguish the niceties of right and wrong—an innate sense of self-responsibility, without which there is no consolidation of virtue and no security against vice. From these feelings, we have a people lofty in their spiritual state, a people filled with intelligence, a people thoroughly understanding the liberties by which they profess to be governed. I believe such feelings are rapidly growing in your hearts. I feel sure that by the glorious spread of Christianity, the more general diffusion of religion, both in connection with the Church of England and pious Nonconformists, the mighty masses are being leavened; that there are many young women and young men, living proofs of the vitality of God's word, seeking only the honour of their Master and the H welfare of immortal souls; and you are here to-night assembled in this gorgeous palace of industry, instances of the elevating goodness of the Almighty, who has imbued your hearts with the love of His Name and inclined you to the practice of His precepts. These, my young friends, will lead you in your future career, and enable you not only dutifully to serve your master in this world, but to prepare for the welfare of your souls in the world to come. When you, young women, go back to your homes, I trust you will practise in private the principles you have manifested in public. I say, go back to your homes with your hearts full of that mercy that conquers evil, and which, by the blessing of God, will guide you to a never-ending prosperity, both here and hereafter." At the close of the proceedings thanks were expressed with enthusiasm to the lady and to the friend who had delivered her letters and arranged that gathering; after which the Earl rose again, and said: “It is God who delighteth in mercy, who is rich in grace, and who sheds abroad in our hearts the love of His name. It is God alone who exalteth all nations, and giveth wisdom to all people. God bless you all, both at home or abroad, in time and eternity." After a solemn pause, the people of the Exhibition, whose number had increased to upwards of a thousand souls, joined in a hearty and reverent singing of words always expressive of holy joy and desire, but so suited for the closing moments of an International Exhibition; and the music of that song of thanksgiving echoed through the vast expanse of building and re-echoed from the mighty domes :— "Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost." Through Divine mercy the effort was distinguished by devotion and purity of motive, all being voluntary and cheerfully done. Another feature being the formation of a strong desire that the endeavour to bless the earth with the knowledge of the Lord should be continued and increased in all future exhibitions. As it was with this intent that a country clergyman spent a day in the building, and the Rector's daughter another for farewell visits, and afterwards published an account of their observations,-as to show the mode of procedure and to bear testimony to the gracious blessings received was their single object,—it is only right that a few extracts from their letters should be given. The Rev. C. Baldwin, of Norwich, wrote,— "The great Exhibition has now come to its close. It is numbered with the events of the past; but it has done its work. It has entered into the thoughts of thousands; it is to them a great and wonderful memory; it has stored for them many chambers of imagery; it has given them new ideas, and enlarged old ones; it may prove to be the germ and seed-plot of many inventions; the sight of it may have woke up genius in some; and, amongst the millions who have visited it, who can tell how it has affected their history—what strange turns some lives may have taken from their visit from some friend met or made there-something heard or learnt! To some, their visit to the great Exhibition may be the point from which they shall date their misery and ruin. To others, A CLEYGYMAN'S LETTER. ΙΟΙ -let us hope the larger number,—that from which they shall date their spiritual life. "I am not to speak at present of special services for foreigners, and other means used outside the Exhibition for the good of souls. A silent work has been going on within the building itself—a work for God. Amid so much that has appealed to the outward senses -amidst those glorious exhibitions of man's genius, and skill, and power, there has been a silent unobtrusive witness for the truth. Some may have seen an active, thoughtful man frequently in the Exhibition on the days on which it was least thronged. On Saturdays, and sometimes for weeks together, he might be encountered there. He passed rapidly from one part of the building to another, as one who knew it well. He carried in his hand, not tracts, but a catalogue—a well-worn, well-studied catalogue. Before his work was finished, he had worn out three. The old catalogues were full of notes, not notes of the works of industry and art opposite which they were placed, but notes of conversations, of things needed, etc. I have said he passed rapidly about the building; but, once arrived at the place he sought, his pace slackened, his catalogue is produced. He begins to examine that which is before him. He lingers over it; enters into conversation with the exhibitor; asks shrewd, intelligent questions, draws the exhibitor into conversation; and presently, with the ease of a man whose thoughts are often on the highest subjects, leads the conversation to spiritual things. Most blessed have these moments of intercourse been! I had heard of his work, and asked him to allow me to accompany him. He most courteously consented, and on one bright morning he called for me, and after prayer, we went our way. "Perhaps I should first tell my readers how the work originated. "An English lady in one of the eastern counties, thinking of the number of exhibitors, English and foreign, who would be for some months in the Exhibition, and also of the myriads of visitors who would throng it, was very earnestly desirous of doing some work for her Master there. She applied, therefore, to a lay friend whom |