The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1853-04-19 00:00:00

opportunity of welcoming him under a brighter sky.

(Applause.)
The Loan BISHOP of the DIOCESE said, as their ministee_
had asked him to say a few words on the occasion, he could
not refuse to comply with that request of his. And in one
respect he had very great pleasure in complying with it
for not only did it give him the opportunity of aesurieg
them how very truly and highly gratified he was at their
kindness, but also because he might rejoice with them 1.
s
the completion of the great and important work of build,
ing their new schools. At the very first commencement
of that work, he had the honour of being invited to lay
the foundation stone of the structure ; and he assure"
them that he felt at the time that it was an boll
which might much more appropriately have been assigne,
to some gentleman of the committee. However, he had
looked upon it as a mark of respect, not so much intended
for him personally as a mark of respect paid on accrtet
of his office. On that ground alone he accepted !'
readily, and he wished also to say most gratefully. Their
minister had reminded them of the inauspicious circum-
stances which attended the laying of the foundation stone'
It certainly was a most pitiless day, and no doubt Pre;
vented the attendance of many who were friends and
well-wishers. But, for himself, he desired to say thathe
should ever look back on that occasion with please!
—(cheers)---and especially to the very kind reception white
was given to him afterwards in the house of a friend, whouthe
saw present at that table. (Applause.) On the previous,
day, at the request of their minister, he had preached.?
the church, in aid of the funds for the new school. Ile
hoped he might he permitted to express his own deeP,
sense of the great liberality of the congregation, and of
the very handsome manner in which they had aupported
the erection of these schools. He need not say that s
was a source of great pleasure to see an assemble
in that beautiful room—so beautifully decorated for the
occasion—the future sphere of great usefulness—to see
it filed with so many kind friends of this undertaking''
who were met to testify their goodwill to the school',
and their goodwill to the minister of that church, be
might truly add. (Hear, hear.) He rejoiced in it 0
respects the schools, because he did not think there efee,
any more effectual way which the gentlemen of Liverpoe'
could take to improve and elevate the lower classes is
their populous town, with their ample means, than fe
provide a correct education for the children of the poor.'
(Applause.) He knew very well it was not the part of
the Christian minister to court popularity, or to lay bite'
self out for the praise of men ; but nevertheless it was e
most gratifying thing for the minister—it was most 1 ighll
gratifying—when the congregation made him feel sensible
that he enjoyed their confidence and respect, as they did,
on that occasion by their attendance there to-day and
by their liberality in the accomplishing of these schools,
and he was sure they could not have given their minister
any more gratifying proof of their attachment. (AP'
plause.) It was not only a testimony of their affection,
but he might also say that it was a certificate of his owe
usefulness in the district, and a proof that all his labours
had not been in vain. (Hear, hear.) He, therefore, re'
joiced at seeing this fine expression of their approval,
on an occasion which was connected with what lay!
near his heart, as he knew those schools to be. lie,
could only say that he was very sensible of their greet
kindness both now and on the former occasion ; and it
would always be to him a most pleasing reminiscence'
He should always cherish with gratitude and respect the
recollection of the readiness and liberality with which, 0?
every occasion of a moral, religious, or philanthroPle
scheme being submitted to their notice, they responded to
the call. (Applause.) He should; ever feel personally
towards the gentlemen of Liverpool the greatest gratitude
for their kindness. (Applause.) He could only say, le
conclusion, that, as their minister had truly said, they
must ascribe all the success to God. He hoped that Gods
blessing, which had enabled them to complete the build-
ing, might rest upon the children who, in generations yet
to come, should be trained up within those walls in the
fear of the Lord. (Applause.)
The REV. JOHN JONES, the respected father of the in-
cumbent of St. Augustine's Church, raid—lf he felt, 0
he did on that occasion, a measure of reluctance in rising
to address them, it could not be attributed to the vvant of
feeling of the deepest interest in the object which bet
assembled them together. He thought no one could fail
to feel some sympathy on such an occasion—least of all, the'
person who was then addressing them, connected as he was
with their beloved pastor, and connected as he had bee°
in former days with his honoured predecessor. Well
did he remember the days of their former pastor,
the late Dr. Tattershal'. They must not now forget
those who, in times past, fought the good fight, se'
cornplished the task, and were taken away in the roe-,
ridian of life. Honour be to their memory, and to his •
(Loud cheers). His youthful successor had been trying
to tread in his footsteps—endeavouring to ripen ie
wisdom and usefulness day by day. (Hear, hear.) Re'
ferring to the storm which occurred at the laying of the
foundation-stone, Mr. Jones observed that there Were
alternations in the spiritual world, and in nature. They
had the storm and the sunshine—they had winter anu
spring ; and he trusted it was now spring in spiritual se
well as in temporal matters—that the time of maturity
would arrive when these schools would become the hapPl
means of great usefulness in that large and increasing_
community. When he looked at that edifice, he admire'
not only the taste and talent of the architect, but also the
munificence of the contributors who erected it. He nate'
say that his heart failed him when his son first told hi°
of the new schools which it was proposed to erect. hie
of
descried difficulties not easily to be overcome; but anduee
fears had been dissipated. (Applause.) He then aliehof
to the difficult work of those who had employed tope hie
their time in soliciting subscriptions, a work which al
opinion called for an exercise of far more self-denial than
the mere subscribing of a certain sum. lEle - especiallY
complimented the ladies, for the success with which thee'
befriended all pious and charitable schemes. There was
sufficient money in this country for all purposes of the
kind ; but gold was a very heavy article, and lay at the
bottom of the purse, not to be easily extracted. fle,
believed the ladies were the best extractors, and he hoped
they would go on perseveringly in the good work,
(Laughter and applause.) He concluded by expressing,
the hope that the Lord would abundantly shower dote
blessings upon all who might in coming ages assemble'
that building.
The CHAIRMAN having stated that two of the trustee!
of the school-room were present, and that they would
address the meeting,
Mr. Corm Mt grateful that he had been spared to that
date, as he had been present at the laying of the founds',
tion stone, and took a warm interest in the progress of
the school. As appropriate to the occasion, he related"
how, in his own case, an early education had been sings'
' larly blessed, in bringing him to a recognition of Christian
duties, after the lapse of nine years spent in a distant
colony, during the whole of which period he had never
taken part in the worship of God.
The CHAIRMAN said the objects for which they were
assembled together that day were manifold. In the first
place, they had a desire to excite a greater degree of in'
terest in the schools throughout the congregation. fie
expressed a hope that they might receive additional Sun-
day school teachers. It was contemplated to have divine
worship in the schoolrooms, as well as the ordinary
classes during the day. He took occasion to thank those
kind friends who had laboured for the realisation of the
scheme, and who were removed from amonz them—re-
ferring in eulogistic terms, to Mr. Thomas B. Horsfall,
who was one of the trustees, and his brother, Mr. Wel.
Horsfall, who had shared with him (Mr. Jones) the duties
of treasurer, and also to Mr. Edmund Molyneux, one of
the trustees.
Mr. MOLYNEUX said, their esteemed chairman having
alluded to him, lie could not deny himself the pleasure of
saying a few words. He had been many years ago con-
nected with that school as a trustee ; and during the time
he resided in that neighbourhood he had the pleasure of
attending the school. At that time they had the kindness
and support of their revered and honoured minister, Dr.
Tattershall. The schools were of much use at thnt time
to the lower orders in that district. The children were well
taught, and those who remained long enough were able
afterwards to enter upon the duties of respectable situa-
tions, in which they maintained themselves respectably.
The merely secular part of the education was good, and
the religious education could not be exceeded. The budd-
ing they then occupied was very humble, but its usefulness
was very great notwithstanding. He hoped that the
institution might receive the continued support of the'
congregation, and he had no doubt whatever that in a very
few years that splendid building would exercise s
greatly increased power for good. He concluded by
congratulating pastor and people on the success which
had attended their labours, and by expressing the pleasure
he had felt in attending to-day, where he saw so many
feces with which Ale was familiar. (Applause). Mr.
Molyncux was much affected during his reference to the
late esteemed incumbent of St. Augustine's Church.
The CHAIRMAN then called upon Mr. John Whitley,
solicitor, a gentleman who might now almost be caned
the father of the schools.
Mr. WHITLEY, in n brief speech, stated that he assisted
in erecting the late schools. He was in the habit of visit-
ing the schools for an hour on several mornings in
each week : lie did this after breakfast, and found himself ,
at business as early as his neighbours. He thought that
many of those present, if they only made the attempt,
would find it was not difficult to do, while it could be
made to work important results in the school, both by in-
citing the teacher and the scholar to increased zeal and
usefulness. He also counselled the ladies to take part in
these morning calls at the schools, as they might confer
much benefit upon the female departments. Were the
ladies and gentlemen to adopt this course, the services of
Mr. Roper might in a great measure be dispensed with ;
because, if they attended the schools regularly, they would
inevitably feel an inte est in them which would render all
solicitations for subscriptions quite unnecessary.—(Ap-
pietist.)
The CHAIRMAN mentioned a gratifying circumstance,
proving that the rich and the poor were alike interested
in the schools; for, while they had had £lOO dona-
tions, there had likewise been numerous penny and two-
penny contributions. (Applause.) The warm support
given by the poorest in that neighbourhood was indeed
one of the most excellent and gratifying features in this
good work. For these people a tea-party had been
for the following evening, at which their worth"'
friend, the Rev. Dr. MeNeile, bad kindly promised to
attend.
The Rev. Dr. M'NEILE said only one expression
had fallen from any of their friends that morning
with which he felt at that moment no sympathy ,at
all, and that remark was from his respected friend,
the father of their pastor. Rreluctance to address them !
He felt no feeling of reluctance at all. Associated
with Mr. Jones for many years, during which he was
privileged to labour in the town of Liverpool, and, know;
ing his son from the time when he was a boy, it had
given him very great satisfaction to accept the invitation
to join them on that occasion, and to be present on the
following evening. It was not always convenient for biro
to accept invitations ; but he did not think that their con-
venience should be the measure of their duty. (Applessee}
He then proceeded briefly to illustrate one branch G fl
tu
subject, which they might appropriately consider thee
morning. It ryas that, having completed the building,
and prepared it for the reception of the children, th',e,e,
was now an urgent necessity for special prayer tee
God, that He might complete the work welch in
was proposed to prosecute in that school. '
connexion 'with the schools of Liverpool, and as Ile!
encouragement to the friends 'of education,. hkezior;e
hated an incident which had recently come to his .0,,
ledge. He had been shown a letter from a poor iris!?
who
who bad been educated in a school in Liverpool, and s'