The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-10-23 00:00:00

PRESIDENT.
THE RIGHT HO`. LORD FRANCIS EGERTON, M. P

Vice-Presidents

John Gladstone, Esq. (for life). Viscount Sandon, Esq.
Cresswell Cresswell, Esq. M.P. W. E. Gladstone, Esq. M.P.
Rev. Jonathan Brooks, M.A., Rev. Augustus Cainpbell,M.A.,
Rectors of Liverpool.
Chairmen.
_ _ _

Rev. Jonathan Brooks, 111.A.11evaugustus Campbell, M.A.
Deputy Chairmen.
John Moss, Esq. James Aspinall, Esq.
Treasurers.
Robertson Gladstone, Esq. William Potter, Esq.
Directors.—Rev. Fred. Barker, A.M. ; Josias Booker,
Esq.; Charles Boutflower, Esq.; Rev. T. S. Bowstead, M.A.;
John Briscoe, Esq. ; Rev. R. P. Buddicom, A.M. F.A.S. ;
Christopher Bushell, Esq. ; Joseph Cooper, Esq. ; T. 'l'.
Glazebrook, Esq, ; John Grantham, Esq. ; William Gregson,
Esq. ; Richard Griffith, Esq. ; Charles Groves, Esq. ;
Samuel Holme, Esq. ; Charles Horsfall, Esq. ; Charles
Inman, Esq. ; Mr. John Jones, jun. ; William Jones, Esq.;
Mr. Moses Joynson ; James Lawrence, Esq. ; Rev. Hugh
M'Neile, A.M. ; Edmund Molyneux, Esq. ; Thomas Mun-
caster, Esq. ; Rev. James North, A.M. ; Charles S. Parker,
Esq. ; William Preston, Esq. ; James Procter, Esq. ; John
Rigby, Esq.; W. J. Roberts, Esq. ; Richard Sanders, Esq. ;
Henry Steel, Esq. ; William Tapley, Esq. ; Rev. Thomas
Tattershall,- D.D. ; Thomas Wilson, Esq.. Low-hill.
J. Gregory Jones, Secretary.

ERECTED BY VOLUNTARY SUBSCRIPTION, FROM A DESIGN
BY 11. LONSDALE ELMES, ESQ., ARCHITECT.
Lord STANLEY, having ascended one or two of the steps
facing the stone, in order to be heard with greater advantage,
said,—l am now called upon, according to the usual custom
on occasions of this description, and by the desire of some
of those immediately around me, to address to such as are
within hearing, a few observations, and they shall be but few,
on tile imposing ceremony in which we are this day engaged.
Yet what is there that I can advance—what words of mine
can add force to this stupendous exhibition of the feeling,
the moral, the religious feeling of the population of this
town, exemplifying the deep interest taken in our proceed-
ings from one end of the town to the other. (Hear, and
cheers.) Shall I seek to magnify the importance of the un-
dertaking in which we are engaged ? It is needless. Your
population, beyond the reach of human voice, with one ac-
cord, testify to the interest they feel in what is going forward.
They maenify the importance of the work in which we are
engaged, far more than any words that could fall from mine,
or from any mortal tongue. (Hear, and cheers.) What is
it that has brought the population of this vast town swarming
into the streets, surrounding the vast space in which we are
DPW standing witnessing the ceremony in which we are em
ployed ? Is it one, of the ordinary temptations of commer-
cial, of political, or of social life ? Is there any object of
personal interest, of personal advancement, of personal grati-
fication, to be deserving of attention from such multitudes ?
Is there any political struggle ? Is there any contest for civic,
or parliamentary, or individual distinction ? I thank God
there is no motive of this kind (cheers) to mingle with the
universal sentiment which brings us here to-day. (Cheers.)
No private, no party, no personal considerations are mingled
with the work. Our sole motive is the motive of enlightened
benevolence to man, and the humble hope of discharging a
religious duty to our God. (Loud applause.) What is it
that you see in this vast town? Commerce thriving, riches
increasing, luxury spreading in every direction, science ad-
vancing with steps to which all former steps were but those
of a pigmy compared with those of a giant (cheers) science
diffused universally among the population which had not
many years ago been considered the monopoly of the high,
the rich, the learned, and the powerful. In every direction,
with commerce, wealth, successful industry, honest exertion
crowned with deserved success, the conviction is gaining
ground among those who have and among those who have it
not, that science in itself is power, is influence, is weight, is
an object of legitimate ambition for its own sake—for the
advantage it brings along with it. (Cheers.) Do we seek to
quench this holy thirst, as I would almost call it ? Do we
seek to check this ambition, this honest, this laudable ambi-
tion, which is leading every man, if not for himself, for his
children, and those who are to come after him, yet dearer
than himself—to raise them in the scale of society, to advance
their intellectual powers, to place them in a higher grade of
society than that in which he is himself placed? Can there
be a more laudable, a more honest ambition ? Shall we seek
to quench it ? Nay, we seek to encourage, to promote it, to
aid in the advancement of scieuce, of literature, of useful
knowledge. (Hear.) We desire to open the portals wide,
and to invite all to come in and share in the universally ac-
knowledged blessings of science. (Cheers ) But is this all
for which we are here assembled? Far otherwise. (Hear.)
Were it so, our object would be an imperfect one, of doubt-
ful utility, and even of possible danger. (Cheers.) We
seek to give instruction to furnish to the middle, the
commercial, the mercantile, the trading population of this
great town, and perhaps even, by the example of this
great town, of similar populations throughout this vast
empire—to give to them instruction in all that may be
useful to them in their future life, but to teach them that
great moral, that great religious lesson, that human
science is of no avail, unless tempered, and kneaded, and
leavened with an infusion of religious knowledge. (Cheers.)
That is not instruction which provides for the body. That
is not instruction which even tends to expand the intellect
only. It may, indeed, be instruction, but it is not educa-
tion. (Hear.) Education is that which not only expands
the intellect, matures and develops the powers of reason,
and qualifies man to fill his appointed station here, but
education is that which teaches him that all these advantages
with this life shall end, but that religious knowledge and re-
ligious truth are indispensable here, and will be found indisperia;
sable to all eternity—(cheers)—and for one I hesitate not to
say, that education however plausibly conducted, and upon
whatever pretext, is no education whatever, unless it pro-
vides not only for the cultivation of the intellect, but also for
the cultivation and training of the soul for another world.
(Cheers.) Perhaps it may be arrogance on my part, it may
be presumption, but I feel it is impossible I should abstain
from saying a word about myself, in answer to the too
flattering terms in which my reverend friend has spoken of
the part have taken on this question. I have learnt, and
on no occasion more than in the discussions that have taken
place on this question, with regard to which differences of
opinion will axist among the wisest and best, and best-in-
tentioned and ablest men—l have learnt that the path of
him who in public life meddles with such questions as
this is beset with difficulties and dangers, and cannot
be free from embarrassments. He must be subject to
misrepresentation, he must expect to have his mo-
tives as well as his actions, misunderstood ; but I have
learnt this consoling lesson too, that the man who, in public
or private life, ventures to act boldly on convictions honestly
entertained, if he does not secure universal assent to his
opinions, at least earns for himself respect for the sincerity
of his motives. (Loud applause.) And I trust that neither
I nor any of those who are called upon to perform the ardu-
ous task of representing the principles and views of such a
community as that which composes this mighty empire, will
ever be found base enough and sordid enough for any private
advantage, or from any unworthy fear, to shrink from the
honest discharge of that which they believe to be their con-
scientious duty. (Loud cheers.) I feel, more especially as
regards the vast proportion of those here in attendance, to
whom I must be perfectly inaudible—l feel I owe some
apology for trespassing upon you even for so short a time.
(No, no ; go on.) But I hold it right that opinions should
be fairly and broadly stated ; and I have no hesitation in
saying, as my opinion, that that education is worthless, and
perhaps worse than worthless, which is not coupled with
religion as a part and parcel of its teaching. (Hear and
cheers.) I say more, that believing the national church in
this country to be the depository of truth—being myself
firmly attached to her principles—being persuaded of the
soundness of her doctrines, I rejoice that with all tolerance,
with all good-will towards those who dissent from us, we
formed this institution, in this great town, not on a religious
basis only, but on a religious basis according to the doctrines
and the formularies of the established church. (Cheers.)
We war in the first instance against ignorance and infidelity :
our first field of action is against these, the most dangerous
foes. And perhaps an earlier activity, and proceedings years
ago similar to those now completed, would have mitigated,
if not done away 'with, that other, that minor, though not
unimportant evil which we seek to meet—l mean the preva-
lence of dissent from the doctrines of the established church.
(Hear.) We seek to coerce none, but we seek to guide, and
advise, and lead. We desire that all who profess the Chris-
tian faith should hold it in the unity of the spirit, in the bond
of peace, and in righteousness of life. (Hear.) We desire
to bring all within the pale of the established church ; and
with this desire, I say, we should ill have discharged our
part, if, looking to the nature and character of the popula-
tion of this great town, we had hesitated to base our system
of education on the principles not only of revealed religion,
hut also on the principles of the established church. (Cheers.)
One thing only remains for me to say. You who have con-
tributed to. this great undertaking—the mercantile, the com-
mercial classes of this great town, to whom it is destined to
furnish, not one and the same education, but an education
suited respectively to each separate class, according to its
separate wants and probable requirements in after life, at the
same time combining with this that which is essential to
all—from the merchants who are princes, to the humblest
of the industrious mechanics of the town, a knowledge of
sound and vital religion—you have performed your part. To
your christian zeal, to your kind liberality, to your exertion,
to your superintendence, I feel that, as far as human influ-
ence is concerned, this building and the work we have in
hand may safely be committed, without fear that you should
suffer the work of your own hands to languish from indiffer-
ence, or to fall from want of continued support. (" Hear,"
and cheers.) But we must remember, as we have been most
forcibly and appropriately reminded by my lord bishop below
me, that it is not in our hands to command the success of the
enterprise we have now before us—that it is to a higher power
we must look to bless our labours—that we may indeed sow,
but that it is that power alone that in due time, aye, and after
much patience, can give us to see the fruit of our exertions.
To him, then, to that everlasting and Almighty Providence.
we commend the work of our hands this day. And believing
that in what we have in hand we are tending to the advance-
ment of the welfare, bodily and spiritual, of his creatures and
our fellow-men—believing that we are tending to the advance-
ment in the knowledge of his word, to the guidance in his
will, to the conducting of millions yet unborn into his eter-
nal kingdom,.to him we confide the work of our hands this
day, in humble hope that though the storm may fall, and the
winds may beat, this house, and this our design, shall never
fall, if it be only founded on the rock of ages. (Prolonged
and enthusiastic cheering.)
The children of the Blue Coat Hospital, assisted by the
company, then sung.the following hymn :
Lord of heaven, and earth, and ocean,
Hear us from thy bright abode,
While our hearts, with deep devotion,
Own their great and gracious God.
Now with joy we come before thee,
Countless have thy mercies been :
Lord of light, and life, and glory,
Guard our Church, and guide our Queen.
Health, and ey'ry needful blessing,
Are thy bounteous gifts alone ;
Comforts, undeserv'd, possessing,
Bend we low before thy throne,
While the babe, the youth, the hoary,
In united praise are seen :
Lord of light, and life, and glory,
Shield our Isle, and save our Queen.
Thee, with humble adoration,
Laud we now for mercies past ;
Still to this most favour'd nation
May those mercies ever last ;
Still may Britons, thus before thee,
Dwell in love and peace serene :
Lord of light, and life, and glory,
Bless thy People—bless their Queen.
The proceedings being now concluded, the Bishop pro
nouneseemdtepuhartonhni(b bebeotyniyrestedidlsiectftrriuooem thernk same up 4
route
and a signal gun being fired to
announce the conclusion of the ceremony, the band of the
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come,ona,
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chil-
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o
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accompaniedl an e,
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hundreds of
theirre excellent
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wil ando
felt an affectionate interest in these poor children, whose con-
duct and abilities reflect the highest credit on ieir teacher,
Mr. Forster, and on the committee who manage the institu-

lion.
THE AMPHITHEATRE.
The entertainment at the Amphitheatre, provided by
Mr. Horne, of the Mersey Hotel, was worthy of the oc-
casion, combining all that is substantial and delicate in
the eating department, with wines of the choicest quality
and flavour.

On this occasion the theatre was, with a degree of
taste which reflects the highest credit on the committee
of management, without decoration in flags or other in-
signia of party, beyond a simple display of national ban-
ners on the stage, the appearance of which cannot fail to
be hailed by all who, however they may differ in politics,
acknowledge fealty to " the land we live in."
Immediately under the proscenium was placed a cross-
ing table for the Chairman (Lord F. Egerton) and his
immediate and distinguished guests. The entire service
on this table was of genuine and massive plate of great va-
lue and beauty. In the centre, opposite the Chairman,
was a triumphal gilded arch supported on two gilded
columns, the bases of which were planted in piles of
luscious grapes, pine apples, and other fruits. On each
side were two classical gilded figures, and figures in
groups, mounted on pedestals. Over the middle of the
arch was a gilded basket, filled with flowers, and having
the appearance of a crown ; a variety of small banners
were here also displayed. Behind the table, on the
stage, six tables were laid out in sumptuous style. In
the pit, which was boarded over, seven tables were laid
out with all that taste and judgment in the culinary and
confectionary arts could suggest. The ornaments, in the
latter department, were highly tasteful and picturesque,
forming objects not only pleasing to the eye, but delight-
ful to the palate. To these beautiful designs—Shake-
spear's sublime lines may be aptly applied,—for these
" cloud-clapt towers " and " gorgeous palaces," were so
greedily besieged by the delighted guests, that they soon
" dissolved " and left not " a wreck behind.' There was
abundance of " the roast beef of old England" and other
substantials. Lord Stanley, hearing that Mr. Horne was
the providore on the occasion, sent a fat buck, and game
of every description was procured. The wines were of
the best quality, and the whole entertainment reflected
the highest credit both in the provision made, and in the
manner in which the good things of this life were served
up by " mine host of the Mersey Hotel."
The stage was decorated with flags, and the " house "
on the whole presented one of the most beautiful and im-
pressive appearances ever beheld.