The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1838-02-20 00:00:00

Christian ; and be was persnaded that if the claims of that, so-
ciety were forcibly impressed upon the community at large in
connexion with the imperative duties of religion, and the obliga-
tion to relieve temporal suffering, they should not have that
night to complain of deficient funds; but to rejoice that they
were 'ten times their present amount. That institution presented
no question of degree, nor were the ebjects of the charity
.in a
situation to wait while they arbitrated the amount to be given.
(Loud cries of bear, hear.) I'he appeal was loud, urgent, and
imperative, and if they felt right it would be irresistible. it
It had been well observed by one of the best and wisest of the
human race, that the sick poor, as they were the most legiti-
mate claimants so they ought to be the first to he relieved. The
mangled limbs, the fractured skulls, the lacerated sinews, the
gushing arteries, the ciuslied and mangled frame—these could
not wait while they settled in what proportion they should dole
out,their charity to the various objects that urged their claims
upon their attention. Or the objects of that charity no man
could look and then pass them by without guilt. As an inha-
bitant of this town he-rejoiced at the noble provision made for
the business of their commerce—he was proud of the forest of
masts which their docks presented, and of the edifices for the
purpose of promoting their social liberties and religious inte•
rests, but be was desirous that there should be much greater
provision of asylums for the mitigation of human woes. That
the agonising, languishing and dying should be the last to be
cared- for he could not believe would be suffered, or that the
objects of that charity should suffer for want of funds, for it
would be very like an individual who on seeing some suffering
fellow creature at his feet passed on with unhallowed heart,
leaving the sufferer to bleed and die on the ground—he did not
believe that the imperative claims of such a society could be
longer disregarded. On some occasions if he used language
like that he should be thought to use the language of exaggera-
tion ; but if he used exaggerated lgnguage on that occasion his
feelings were strangely exaggerated, for he was not expressing
one half of what he felt, and it was only because he was unable
to give expression to his feelings. They remembered that the.
Saviour of the world, whose tenderness for the human trace
was so conspicuous, and who was so often employed in relieving
-sickness and the infirmities of the body, declared that he would
say to those who had neglected their brethren on earth, •• I was
au hungred, and ye gave me no meat, I was thirsty and ye gave
me no drink; I was naked and ye clothed me not, and sick and
in prison and ye visited me not ;" and they were aware that to
such he would say "depart from me." And bow could they
expect him to receive them if they turned away from still deeper
depths of unmitigated sorrow, and allowed their fellow-creatures
to perish—not on some inhospitable shores, nor in an insalu-
brious climate—not in some exigency, where they were deprived
of the assistance of their companions, or in some calamity that
overwhelmed them in a distant land,—but at theirown doorslk in
perhaps, their native town, surrounded by thousands, and itpn
age of refinement and improvement, and amidst the profusion
of superabundance. Mr. H. proceeded to say that there were other
strong claims on the Liverpool public beside the provision for ac-
cidents and casualties—the poverty of the families through the af-
flictions of the parents, and the misery of the parents through the
sickness of the child. That charity which alleciated this was il-
lustrated by the poet's description oimercy, "it was twice blessed;
it blessed him that gave and him that received." Hardly any
where in this world was that poetical saying reduced to greater
prosaic truth than in the Northern Hospital; and he knew of no
place that a man could visit with a greater chance of being relieved
from the mental malady under which they sometimes laboured—
where they were likely to be so effectually released from the rest-
less, feverish appetite for wealth as there; or more likely to be
thankful than when walking the round of the hospital, and
viewing human nature in what had been called its abject-
ness. He remembered the difficulties which had opposed
them when the hospital had been first started. Those bad now
been overcome, and they now came before the public, nut to ask
them to assist them in trying an experiment, they came be-
fore them, he had almost said, to demand their assistance, in
support of an establishment of unquestionable utility. He felt
anxious that the publicity of the meeting, rendered more pub-
lic from the Mayor presiding over it than it otherwise would
have 'been, should , be still further made public through the
medium of the press and the pulpit. He concluded with se-
conding the resolution.

Mr. BATESON, at some length, seconded the resolution,
which was carried, as were the other resolutions, unanimously.
He said it was much wished that the Institution were enlarged.
Now eighty-four beds were made up, and by increasing them to
one hundred the hospital might be registered as a public and
valuable school of medicine in this town.
The Rev. HUGH M'NEILE then rose to propose the next
resolution, and was received with an enthusiastic burst of
applause f long duration. When it bad subsided he said: on
rising to propose a resolution to this meeting, I have the calm
and composing satisfaction of feeling that I am altogether in
my place. I was surpiised and grieved to hear the state of the
funds of the Northern Hospital. Incessantly occupied as lam
in both the public and private ministration of the gospel, I must
confess I was not aware of the fact, although the reports of the
Institution lay on my table.' But when your treasurer called
on me and told me the state of the case, 1 hesitated not a mo-
ment in promising him to make time to attend the annual
meeting at the sessions-house; and when it was there resolved
to call this meeting, I as little hesitated to arrange my plans to
devote this evening to this valuable purpose. lam now re-
quested to move, "that the parties now present will use their
best endeavours to make known the wants and the value of this
charity, and to increase its funds by subsc-iptions and dona-
tions. And by way of proceeding at once to the point, I
will not reserve the practical haft of this address to the
end, but commence by presenting a check to your Trea-
surer which I received from a friend. Mr. APNeile then read
a letter from Mr. C. S. Parker, begging him to present a check
to the treasurer for £2O, and an annual subscription of two
guineas. This announcement was received with loud applause.
In addressing myself to this resolution, I think that to urge the
claims of the Northern Hospital upon our best feelings, it is,
perhaps, enough to say, that if, in any human institution, the
divine example of our blessed Saviour, in one of its most touch-
ing features is, or can be embodied, it is peculiarly and pre-
eminently in such an one as this.

Healing diseases, applying balm to every wound, meeting
every sad and cruet disaster, binding up the hands that bang
down, and the feeble knees, and the fractured bones of our suf-
fering fellow creatures.

In the inscrutable mystery of God's dealings with our fallen
world, cases are continually occurring which no human being
can witness without horror. From the bed of squallid wretch-
edness, with its tainted atmosphere of infection—front the com-
plicated fracture with its accompanying moans of agony—from
the ruthless bruise which has reduced the exquisitely wonderful
structure of a human limb into one livid mass of threatening
putrifaction—from sights like these mere humanity recoils.
However sincerely she may wish to have them relieved, how-
ever sympathetically she may sigh over their occurrence; with
whatever transport of unfeigned passion she may exclaim Oh!
Good God, how dreadful ! —yet, alas, her heart sickens and her
hand trembles at the approach of actual contact so as to ad-
minister relief. The compassions of mere individual humanity
are not strong enough to overcome her instincts of self-preser-
vation.
But an institution like this, based upon the deep founrhtion
of Christian principle, and built up in the unselfish loveliness
and comprehensive pioportionsofChristian example, suppresses
the recoilint, instinct of the natural heart, that it may extend
the helping hand of victorious practical benevolence. Feelings,
however amiable in themselves, which expend themselves in
their own emotion, and terminate in the breasts of tbose who
experience them, are here made to give place to those more
substantial acts which communicate their benefits to others.
Here the loathsome wound is closely and carefully inspected :
here the fractured bones and torn tendons, and lacerated flesh
are laid in their respective places with precision; here the tor-
tures of the frightful operation are soothed by the voice of kind-
ness: here the infectious effluvia is patiently and heroically
endured—and all this with the affectionate tenderness of a
nurse, combined with the scientific skill of a master, and the
unflinching firmness of purpose and of performance which ar-
rises out of well placed confidence in that science and that skill.
(Loud applause.).
Sir, I cordially avail myself of this opportunity of bearing
this tribute, which I do from ray heart, to the medical gentlemen
connected with this institution. 'Some of the highest and best
feelings of our hearts stand scripturally connected with the
medical profession, in the person of the "beloved Physician"
and inspired_ Evangelist :

Lucas evangelii et medicinm munera pan dit
A rtihus Nine, illinc religione potens :
Utilts isle labor, perquem vixe.re tot wgri
perquem tot dedicere tnori.
Sir, I have ventured a translation of this beautiful epigram :
St. Luke by medicine and religion joined
Restores the body, and relieves the mind.
Blest in both labours; dark diseases part,
And darker ignorance forsakes the heart.
Thrice happy Luke ! sustained by God on high,
Prolongs in life; and teaches how to die!
(loud applause.)
Yes, sir, institutions such as these are the triumphs of Chris-
tian principle, the brightest ornaments of a Christian country.
It p
is in these things that we see practically exhibited the pre.
eminent ascendancy of Christian civilization over that which is
merely human. For, in what, I wouldask, do we excel the
civilized ancients? Is it in codes of dry morals, or contempla-
tive theories of what man ougat to be ? No: Aristotle and
Plato are still our crass-books. Is it in imagination, embodying
its creation in exquisite poetry? No: Homer and Aristo-
phanes are still transcendant.; Is it in the achievements of the
fine arts? No: Phidias and Praxiteles are still unrivalled. is
it in the transporting flights of eloquence thrilling and swaying
to the purpose of the orator the hearts and hands of plastic mul-
titudes? • No: Cicero and Demosthenes are still unreached
models. (Loud applause.) In what then is it? It is in prac-
tical diffusive benevolence. It is in hospitals, and asylums, and
dispensaries, and infirmaries. It is in the triumphs of active
love over selfish nature. (Hear.)
And whence this activity of love to man? It springs from
the constraining love of Christ. He said to his disciples, "
ye love toe, keep my commandments." If ye love me—here
is the fountain opened by the grace of God in man's heart:
keep my commandments—here are the streams flowing from a
renewed heart through man's conduct and conversation. And
this is Christ's peculiar and comprehensive commandment, that
we love one another, not in word, neither in tongue, but in
deed and in truth. (Applause.) Such streams would never
have flowed at all had not the divine fountain been opened ; and
They can never continue to flow pare, except where that foun-
tain continues open. The standard of public morals may indeed
be so elevated; and the tone of public opinion, (refined by the
reflex influence of the Gospel, may demand so much inure costly
sacrifices in order to:keep within theipale of respectability in so-
ciety; that the love ofapprobatiun may, for a season, overcome the
love of money or of ease, and induce men who are destitute of
Christian principle within, to be nevertheless forward and distin-
guished in acts of outward philanthropy.( loud cries of hear, bear).
But such acts will be found, at the best, intermittent. The spring
which animates them becomes relaxed, when unobserved and
'uncourted by popular applause, and the institution which de-
pends upon them must ever be subject to serious fluctuations.
But genuine Christian principle is steady. He whose love has
quickened it, is never absent. He whose approbation it pants
after is never unobservant. Sincere love to God secures prac-
tical love to man. And we love God, because he first loved us.
He loved us practically. " Hereby," says the beloved disciple,
"perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us."
This meets the necessities of our case. This addresses itself
to our consciousness of guilt. This, when bslieved, removes
that repugnance to draw near to God, wherein we may detect
our natural alienation from him. This sweetly draws us into
communion with him. Communion enjoyed gradually moulds
us to conformity of character, and thus we become imitators of
our Father who is in heaven, happy (0! there is no happiness
equal to it, there is no true happiness without it) imitators of
the diffusive benevolence of God. Yes ! it is in the Cross of
Jesus Christ, and there alone, that we find the true harmony
which, while it prolongs the lofty strains of the angelic host,
"Glory to God in the highest, a just God, and a Saviour,"
breathes at the same time in softest tenderness "On earth
peace, good will towards men." ( Loud applause.)
Yes, I repeat, here it is, that godlike institutions such as the
hospital we plead for, have had their origin. Natural civiliza-
tion, however extensive, would never have given them birth.
neither can natural civilization, however cultivated by general
knowledge, secure their continuance. It may refine the sen-
sibilities. but it cannot subdue the selfishness of the human
heart. It may deepen the sigh at relative distress, but it can-
not overcome the repugnance to personal exposure.
Having Christian principle to, caloulate upon, in many,