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

THE SERMON.

The congregation at St: Peter's Church was extremely
numerous and highly respectable. His worship the Mayor,
Lord Francis Egerton, Lord Stanley, Lord Sandon, &c. &c.
were present, as well as an immense body of the local clergy.
The singing.by the pupils of the Blue Coat Hospital, and the
performances on the organ, struck us as peculiarly excellent.
During the time that the service was read, the Lord Bishop
of Chester sat, together with the Rev. Jonathan Brooks, the
senior Rector of Liverpool, at the communion table. After
the service, which was read by one of the curates of Liver-
pool,
The LORD BISHOP OF CHESTER having ascended the pul-
pit, delivered an impressive prayer. He then selected the sub-
ject of his discourse from part of the 19th verse of the 3rd
chapter of the Lamentations., of the Prophet Jeremiah :
" Lift up_ your hands unto God for the life of your young
children." His Lordship then delivered the following
sermon :

Such was the council of the prophet as he looked forward
to the desolation approaching the Jewish people, under the
power of a victorious enemy.
In all public calamities we feel especially for the helpless-
ness of infants ; and that distress, by which none can be un-
moved, falls with especial severity upon parents in conformi-
ty with the wise dispensation which has given to parents an
instinctive tenderness for their children.
But, as that instinctive tenderness is not confined to a
season of impending danger, like that which, when the pro-
phet spoke, he had in mind {is threatening Jerusalem, so,
nether, indeed, may the prayer lie so brief. It is, in truth, the
prayer which every parent is disposed in his heart to offer in
the moment of gratitude in the moment that a child is born
into the world; and it is a just object of prayer that the life
which has been given might be preserved. \Whether a child
be considered as a fruit of that mutual love, which a gracious
God has ordained to sweeten the cup of life, or be considered
as a requital of suffering, or as a recompense of long anxiety or
care—in whatever light it be regarded, the laudable desire is,
that the child may live to reward its parents, that it may be
preserved through the weakness and accidents of infancy,
and grow in strength and wisdom. These feelings, implanted
in the heart, we need not and we cannot restrain. If they
ever fail to operate, their operation is only checked by some
violent, unnatural, counteracting cause.
Yet, if we look forward beyond the days of infancy, and
consider the progress of the lite for which we pray, we find
something beyond this natural life, for which every wise pa-
rent will lift up his hands to God. For, what is the natural
life alone and in itself ? To the rest of the creation is im-
parted together with the natural life, all the powers that it is
designed to have. The case is otherwise with man ; it is his
peculiar character that his powers may be improved and en-
larged. With the faculty of improvement comes the duty ;
and in this, as in other things, the duty neglected is followed
by an attendant penalty. The natural man, unimproved by
cultivation, and without understanding, is compared to the
beast that perisheth ; for, " that which is born of the flesh
is flesh ;" it is tainted with the corruption which the sin of
Adam entailed upon his descendants ; it is " of the earth
earthly :" all its tastes are low and degraded. We find it so
in too many, and we judge of it from what we find. Those
whose thoughts have never been raised above the things which
their eyes see and their hands handle—they perform the na-
tural functions of men—their animal powers are fully de-
veloped ; but those powers which alone distinguish man—
by which he holds his rank in the scale of creation have ne-
ver been brought out and extended. These men follow their
blind appetites, they fulfil the desires of the flesh and the
mind, but they know not the purpose for which life was
granted them—they know not him in whom they live, and
move, and have their being.
Such is the unhappy state of multitudes ; and of course,
were we to look at them with an eye of reason, or judge by
the clear eye of reason, or judge by the clear light of revela-
tion, we might feel disposed to say, once more, it would have
been good for them if they had never been born.
And here let all parents reflect upon the responsibilities
which they had incurred. They have bestowed upon their
children an existence. That existence' may be a curse, and
not a blessing. There are countries where parents, having
given birth to a child, will expose it upon a bleak and barren
heath, with no provision for its food, no protection from the
elements, and no defence from ferocious animals. A brighter
light has shone upon us, and taught us to shudder at such
enormities. Yet, is it a less evil, or should it be accounted
a lesser crime, to be the author of the being of a child, and
then expose it unprotected by parental duty, undisciplined
in the way that God has prescribed it should walk in, in the
dangers of a world like this, so filled with temptations, so
abundant in iniquity.
I come now to speak of a second species of life, grafted
upon the animal life, which greatly exalts the nature and
character of man. You will perceive lam speaking of the
intellectual powers.
When God created man, he made him in his own image,
after his own likeness. This, as we know, must relate to
the intellectual faculties—to the power which the mind has
of learning and knowing—of thinking and reasoning, of
judging and comparing. It is in these faculties that man
differs from the beasts of the field. By the possession and
the improvement and the exercise of these powers, men are
raised above their fellows, they are exalted in the opinion of
the world, are praised, admired, or envied, or enriched, and
it is far more that they are enabled to benefit their species,
lessen the evils of the world, and to increase the mercies
that belong to them. It might justly be, therefore, a parent's
prayer, that intellectual life should be added to natural exis-
tence, ; that the Lord should put into the minds of their
children, as he did into the mind of Immanuel, the spirit of
instruction, that he would be pleased to give them under-
standing.
It is upon this conviction that we ask for the divine bless-
ing upon that institution, which is to take its beginning from
this day.
We do not undervalue secular learning. On the contrary,
we desire to extend it, to advance it, to diffuse it upon every
side. All knowledge must be sanctified to the better fulfil-
ment of those purposes for which man is created, that it may
render the man more useful to himself, and more valuable
to those around him ; and in proportion as the gospel stand-
ard of knowledge is raised, the whole community gains a
step in the scale of being.
Still, it is a humbling thing that all, in spite of intellectual
learning, we must be forced to say that, at any moment, all
may vanish ; for what is our life ? It is even as a vapour
which appeareth but a little time and then vanisheth away.
Man springs up and is cut down like a flower, at the very
season when he has become most worthy of praise and ad-
miration to his contemporaries, and when he is most able to
be useful to others. At that very season it may happen, nay
it does happen, so commonly as scarcely to sxcite surprise,
that man returns to his earth, and all his thoughts perish.
A breath of wind may fever the brain that should command
intelligence that should instruct mankind, and should leave
eloquence and knowledge to future ages.
But it is a still more important and more awful truth that
intellectual power, raised even to its highest use, is not moral
power, and that he: who is the wisest of the wise, in man's
judgment, may be lower than the simplest in the sight of in-
finite wisdom. The proofs are abundant. The man who may
have instructed or delighted his fellow-creatures, who in ge-
nius or in talent may seem fittest to command the world, may
be a slave to his appetites and passions. It is an universal
truth, " his servants are ye whom ye obey ;" and it is a hu-
miliating fact that the lord of the intellectual world is too
often the slave of sin. Still more surely do we find that the
cultivation of the intellectual faculties alone does not impart
to men that knowledge which alone is truly precious—the
knowledge of himself, the knowledge of his Maker, the know-
ledge of his Redeemer. What shall the wisdom of the world
profit a man, without.that wisdom which is unto salvation
Man is soon gone from his place upon earth, and his body is
mingled with the dust from which it came, and what becomes
of his intellectual part, that sublime and imperishable soul
which God breathed into him ? That does not expire too ;
it returns to God who gave it; it retains its existence and its
consciousness ; and there is only the more to account for in
his sight, because "where much was given much will be ex-
pected"—an account must now be rendered of that talent
which was only lent, and it must be received again with usury.
Parents, seek to direct your children's minds, and you will
do well. A noble testimony is given to day that we consider
it an imperative duty to provide for such cultivation. This
ought ye to do, so that ye leave not the others undone. Be
very mindful of the comparative worthlessness of mere intel-
lectual advancement or earthly knowledge. What will it
avail in the end? .What would it avail if God were to say
unto thee, according to the words of the parable, " my son,
this night thy soul shall be required of thee ?" What would
those things profit which thou hast provided, those mental
qualifications which have begun and ended with this present
world ?
But I proceed to show, in the third place, that there is a
life of which mans nature is capable, compared with which
every other endowment sinks into insignificance—a life which
ennobles the natural life by all which infinity can add to it,
and which is exalted above intellectual life, as far as eternity
is exalted above time.
Such is the spiritual life. As " that which is born of the
flesh, is flesh, so that which is born of the spirit, is spirit ;"
and where it exists it is known by its effects, and is discerned
by its tongue. Supported by the natural life, and united
with the intellectual, still it is distinguished from both by
characters of its own. While the natural man knows not,
nay, rejects the things of God, the spiritual man seeks first
the kingdom of God and his righteousness. 'While the
natural man follows the appetites and passions belonging to
him, and satisfies the wants which he has in common with
the brute animal, the spiritual man mortifies the flesh, with
the affections and the lusts thereof, and brings them into sub-
jection to the will and commandment of God. The intel-
lectual man rises higher than the natural,'the mind is superior
to the body, anti lie has cultivated the mind: but lie must
not be confounded with the spiritual man. The intellectual
man seeks knowledge for the pleasure which attends it, or for
the temporal advantages which it may procure him; whilst
the spiritual man seeks a higher and a better knowledge, and
for a greater purpose—he seeks acquaintance with God, that
he may partake more and more of his grace and holiness—
may conform to his character, and to go on to be " perfect,
even as his father, who is in heaven, is perfect." With the
natural man, as with the man whose mind alone is cultivated,
whilst his heart remains unrenewed, this world is the great
object. Temporal gain, professional advancement, the good
opinion anti the praise of men, this world, in short, and the
timings of the world, hold perManent dominion over the mind.
—The spiritual man is not insensible to earthly things, or
to man's opinion ; he desires "to provide things honest in
the sight of all men ;" he is thankful for the mercies which
God may give him richly to enjoy ; but with him these are
not the primary, they are secondary, in his pursuit, because
they are secondary in his desire. Like David, he sets God
always before him. Like Paul, he lives not unto himself,
but unto him who died for him. He does not pamper and
indulge, but mortifies his members, which are of the earth, amid
sets his affections on timings above. He is led by the Spirit,
and does not fulfil the lusts of the flesh, knowing that if we
live after the flesh, of the flesh, we shall reap, but that we
shall find if we, through the Spirit, do mortify the deeds of
the body, we hall live.

This, then, is the life which should be first and chiefest in
the mind of every wise and pious parent, when praying for
his children with which God has blessed him. lie will lift
up his hands unto the Lord, that the spirit of him which
raised Christ Jesus from the dead may dwell on them; that
they may put off the natural man, escape the corruptions of
the flesh in the world, and put on the new, the spiritual man,
after the image of him who created them : so that when Christ,
who is their life, from whom they derive this spiritual life,
shall appear again, in power and great glory, they also may
appear with him, and be partakers of the kingdom for which
he has prepared them.
Such will be the fond and fervent desire of every parent
who has himself been brought to discern natural things from
spiritual, by the grace of God shining into his own heart.
For what shall tLe natural, what shad the intellectual life
avail, unless the spiritual life he superacided ? "What shall
it profit a man if he should gain the whole world and lose his
own soul?" And as this will be the subject of the parents'
chief di sirs, so will it be the subject of their first and latest
prayer ; be !ause it is not with the spiritual life as with de
natural ; it does not come within their own control or power.
Parents, i t the ordinary course, bestow the natural life upon
their ren, and afterwards they can also greatly promote
their intellectual life. By the use of certain means they can
calculate upon their excellence in human learning,-and their
expectstnits will not often be disappointed ; but with regard
to spiritual life the case is very different; " as the wind
bloweth where it listeth, and ye cannot tell whence it
comela and whither it gcetii, so is every one that is born
again ; he is born not of the will of the flesh nor of the
will cf twin, but of Gcd." We do not, therefore, presume
to say that when we provide religious education we can
secure a religious principle; but we provide that religion
shall be the 'basis of education, because it is that which,
:n educaton, we value most, aed because we know that
unless it is inculcated we cannot expect to have educa-
tion at all. Though the gift of God, he bestows it
through certain means. Though the work of the Holy
Spirit, there are agencies through which the Spirit acts, and
those means and agencies we mean to employ. Sometimes,
indeed, like the wind, to which it is compared, it baffles our
exi•ectations, and disappoints our hopes. We cannot trace
its course, though we cannot be mistaken in its effects. We
know there is a spiritual life, for we perceive its vital warmth,
its heavenly breath, its godly motion; but we may finally
venture to defeat the Divine Spirit that brought out such g
wonderful existence.
But the means by which the blessing of spiritual life is
commonly vouchsafed arc clear and manifold, and they are
means which we may confidently use, because they are means
which God has himself appointed.
The history of the Israelites acquaints us with the means.
The Israelites were enjoined to teach the commandments of
God diligently to the people ; to bring them up in the know-
ledge of the Scriptures. And these things are written for
our example, on whom the ends of the world are come. Thus
has God shewn the important obligation of training the young
in the wisdom of righteousness, to cherish spiritual life within
them by Christian instruction and. Christian educations..se ,
Therefore I may justly say, of you, my brethren, who are
assembled to day for the purpose of promoting Christian
education—to those especially may I say, who have provided
the means by which it may be more generally diffused, that
it was in your hearts to do this to the honour of God's name.
It is well it was in your power. It is well it was in your
hearts to secure, us far as in you lies, that the young persons
growing up around you may grow up in the principles of that
church which is the pillar and ground of the truth,—that
church which is the appointed instrument through which men
may become wise unto salvation through faith that is in
Christ Jesus. And great indeed will be the blessing, if God
should in his mercy vouchsafe to us that a work commenced
in his name, and designed to fulfil his will—" I will take
pleasure in it and 1 will be glorified saith the Lord." Great
will be the blessing if, whilst our natural life which is here
invigorated, the intellectual life is here cultivated, the spi-
ritual life being part of it, by the author of every good and
perfect gift. For truly, brethren. we cannot reflect upon
education, without remembering the frailty of our beings,
without remembering how soon all education may become
vain and unprofitable which has not extended to the world
beyond the grave. How often is it with the young as with
the flower of the field ! It blooms for a short day, and beau.!
tiful is its bloom ; we love it the more because we know bow
soon it may pass away. Suppose then, and if the supposition
were not too often realized how many aching hearts might be
at ease—suppose one whom you had loved and fondly che- .
rished should be early stretched by that hand which no fist
can stay or skill avert, and the most reluctant eyes first see
that his days upon earth are numbered. You have watched
his natural life, and it was right to watch it, fur life is a gift
that deserves all care. Now God asserts his sovereigntY'
and the time is come when the natural life can be preserved
no longer. You have cultivated the intellect, and this, too,
so well, that as a fond parent you may have delighted in the
development of mental power, or as an admiring friend you
may have anticipated a successful progress towards the ho-
nours by which science and talent and learning are rewarded.
Now the thought occurs, and before us is the remembranc',
" there is no knowledge or understanding in the grave." •
But when, through the blessing given to Christian ethics'
tation, the youthful heart is brought to a knowledge of his
God and Saviour, a new life, as it were, springs up within
him, even a life of God in his soul. Principle is introduced
which proves to the natural man, that he should follow what-
soever things are honourable, and just, and true, and lovely,-;
a principle which enlightens the intellect, which looks beyond
things seen to things unseen, which walks by faith and not
by sight, as seeing him who is invisible.
And when the grave closes over so much youthful promise,
that, which to the unwise, seems to be death, is in truth, en
entrance to immortality. The soul has been educated for
that bourne to which it must belong. The spiritual life has
been begun, and the spiritual part now released from the
incumbrances of a carnal nature, and soaring towards know-
ledge beyond the reach of mortal intellect, is aspiring to region°
of perpetual light, to the company of spirits made perfecto
and to the presence of that God, in knowledge of whom
standeth our eternal life. Who would recal the spirit back,
that it may be disciplined in the things which pertain to
this present world ?
My brethren, some of those for whom an institution is,
now prepared, in which education is to be the handmaid et
religion, some perhaps of those, except through the instruc-
tion so received, might have nothing to raise them above the
life of animal nature, to bring them to spiritual knowledge'
These may be enabled, through the agency which is beret
employed, to rise higher in the scale of humanity, to ingunt
above things temporal to things eternal, to put off the C°l'
rupt nature, and become partakers of the divine
nature, to
be renewed in the spirit of love, and hereafter in time Presence
i
of himwho sits upon the throne, and of the lamb, they 111"
declare of you, " this education is for eternity."
Now to God, &c.
The Right Rev. Prelate then pronounced the blessing, and
the congregation dispersed.

Divine Service concluded at one o'clock, and the whole of
the noblemen, clergy, and gentlemen who had attended, im-
mediately afterwards assembled in the front area of that
admirable institution, the Blue Coat School, where several
of the directors of the foundation, and many ladies, wetre
also present. The names of the most distinguished indivi-
duals present will appear in our report of the dinner. Suffice
it here to say, that the area presented a most animated sr
pearance, and that the persons of the noblemen, dignitaries
of the church, and other distinguished individuals, as they
conversed together, were eagerly sought out, and respectfulif
remarked upon by the assembled throng of spectators.
PROCESSION TO THE GROUND.
Soon after one o'clock, the procession moved to-
wards the scene of action from the Bluecoat School
the route being up School-lane, along the end of Ha-
nover-street, up Ranelagh-street, Lime-street, Com-
mutation-row, Islington, to Shaw-street. It was pre:,
ceded by a beautiful large silk " Standard of England,
carried on two poles, with the inscription in gold, " 14)r
God, our Queen, and our Country." Next came a
well-built stone waggon, on which was carried the ve-
ritable " foundation-stone" of the new building, weigh-
ing from two-and-a-half to three tons. This was drawn
by five strong and stout English draught horses, one
in the shafts and four (two abreast) in the van. 00
the " stone" were seated six fine-looking youths, three
at each end, with white leather aprons bound with
blue, and who, though juvenile, will doubtless become►
on the completion of their apprenticeships, " true and
accepted masons." The four occupying the corners
of the vehicle carried handsome national flags. The
middle youth in front carried the silver trowel, which
was to be presented to Lord Stanley as `• master
mason" of the day. A very beautiful and capital
flag bearing a perspective view of the new institution
followed. Then came the Block Makers' flag, with the
Liverpool Arms. Next were the male children of the
Blue Coat School, in their peculiar and uniform attire,
all so arranged that they appeared like a juvenile regi-
ment of equal stature. They looked remarkably well,
and the modest manner in which they comported them'
salves, while they kept time in marching, was a theme of
general admiration. They were followed by the Mayor's
state carriage, in which were the Lord Bishop, Lard
Stanley, the Earl of Wilton (we believe), and his worshiP
the Mayor. Then came the clergy of the town 01
neighbourhood, in canonicals, about sixty in number, and
behind them a long train of gentlemen, walking generallY
four a-breast, and numbering, as nearly as we could esti-
mate, about one hundred and seventy. Several carriages
with ladies closed the procession.
Throughout the whole line dense crowds were assem-
bled, Hags were displayed from many of the houses, the
windows and balconies of which were crowded with
spectators. As noticed in reference to the first proces-
sion of the day, (that from the Town Hall to the Church),
there was no attempt at what may be termed popular dis-
play ; yet the utmost respect was evinced by the specta-
tors, many hundreds of whom after once seeing the whole,
ran off by crossing streets to take another and another
view.

LAZING OF THE STONE.
At about a puarter past two o'clock the head of the
procession reached the ground. The site of the intended
erection is on the east side of Shaw-street, near to its
southern extremity, and about twenty yards south of the
railing enclosing the high ground on which stands St.
Augustine's Church. The " land " (one hundred yards
fronting Shaw-street, and running eighty yards back), bad
previously been excavated to the extent of the building'
leaving, from its hilly position considerable heights on the
north-and east sides, on which many hundreds of persons
obtained a good view of the proceedings, though but
comparatively few could hear the eloquent and feeling
addresses that were made. The area of the principal
building will be 275 feet by 65, and the theatre 90 by
90. We may add that there are 2000 yards of land in
reserve, for future purposes.
The immediate site of the building, and many hundred
yards of the land around it, held thousands of spectators►
and presented a scene at once animated and affecting•
The whole line of march, from the end of Moss-street to
the church of St. Augustine, with the exception of a nor'
row space in the middle, was thronged ; and when it is
considered that there are but few houses in this quarter,
and a large space for standing room, the immensity of the
assemblage may be guessed at if it cannot be defined. We
should think—but this is a rough guess--that there were
present in the street, on the site, and in the neighbouring
fields, from eight to ten thousand persons.
The brass pieces of artillery belonging to the House of
Industry were placed in a field between the site 8
Everton-road, and when the procession " hove in sight
a feu-de•joie was fired which shook the very welkia,
and, at first, shook also the nerves of the ruder as Well
as the feebler sex. Mr. Whitty was present, with Iraq
of his men, and performed an arduous, and occasionallY►
when ladies were in question, a painful duty, in keeping
anxious individuals from breaking through the barriers
that enclosed the ground appropriated to those who were
to take an active part in the ceremony, and their friends
who had followed them in the procession. All, 110°;
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humour. There was space within the rails for many
more than those who had legitimate access; but had the
discipline of the day been relaxed so far as to admit of
oNE, a general ingress and rush would have been the
consequence, and a disturbance of the whole proceedings.
Galleries were erected on the east and north sides of the
excavation, for the accommodation of ladies who had re-
ceived tickets. These were calculated to contain about
900 persons, and they were completely crowded by an
assemblage of well-dressed and genuine " Lancashire
Witches."
The mechanical arrangements for the ceremony were
ably made by Mr. Tomkinson. Two bulks of timber
were laid horizontally from the high ground over the
north gallery, supporting a railway and movable winch
for the raising and depositing of " the stone," so that
the whole of the machinery being overhead, no inconve-
nience was sustained by the company. Numerous flags,
including the standard of England, were on the ground ;
the children, male and female, of the Blue-coat School
occupied the prominent bank on the east ; every point of
elevation, even to the dizzy top of the tower of St. Au-
gustine's, held its anxious, and we may add, approving
spectators ; and the whole scene was at once national
and animated.
The Rev. Jonathan Brooks, the senior Rector of this
Parish, was appointed to present the trowel to Lord
Stanley, and was seen at the head of the Procession in
proximity to the Lord Bishop, Lord Stanley, the Earl of
Wilton, Loki Sandon, and other individuals of distinc-
tion.
The day (as we should previously have noticed),
was exceedingly propitious, considering the advanced
Period of the year. Heavy rain had fallen over night,
but the sun shone out in the morning, and there being a
fine breeze, the streets became comparatively dry. Just
before the ceremony, a shower of rain came on, which
Put into requisition all the umbrellas and parasols on the
ground ; but it was of short continuance ; the sun again
shone out in his glory, and the weather continued favour-
able throughout the rest of the day. Lord Stanley spoke
ill a very manful and clear tone, and was heard distinctly
by many hundreds near him. We never saw the noble
lord appear to greater advantage.
The stone being elevated preparatory to its being finally
deposited in its resting place.
The Rev. RECTOR then said,—.Though I am really con-
scious my lord, that the office I have undertaken might
easily have been confided •io abler hands, I cannot but feel
gratified in having been made the instrument of conveying to
your lordship the warm acknowledgments of the committee of
the Collegiate Institution, for the kindness with which you
have consented to become its patron, and to assist in the
ceremony of this day•by laying the first stone of its intended
building. I believe you are aware, my lord, that the main
object of this institution is to furnish to the middle classes of
society an education which shall be commensurate with their
wants, and which hitherto they have not had the opportunity
or the means of obtaining in such a way as it is desirable they
Should obtain it. (Hear.) If we look at the children of the
higher classes, we find ample provision made for them. The
list of able and distinguished men who adorn the annals of
our country, who were trained in the colleges of Eton, and
Winchester, and Westminster, and other schools of the same
description, and whose education has afterwards been com-
Pleted at our universities, these afford a sufficient proof that
there is not much remaining to be wished for so f'ar as they
are concerned. Looking, again, at the humbler classes, we
find a provision made for their wants also • and though we
cannot boast, as in the sister country of Scotland, that we
have parish schools on foundations, yet, my lord, individtal
exertions has done a great deal for us, and we have scarcely
a church which has not the accompaniment of a school for the
instruction of the humbler classes of the population. (Hear.)
The children of the middle classes have hitherto been greatly
neglected. Their means will not enable them to reach the
schools appropriated for the higher classes, and their require-
ments are above the standard of those appillspriated for the
lower. (Hear.) It was by the hope of supplying in some
respect this deficiency that the gentlemen who projected the
establishment of the Collegiate Institution of this town were
actuated. It must be considered that now, if ever, is the
Proper period for establishing an institution of this kind, the
circumstances of the times, and the acts of the legislature,
having placed in the bands of the middle classes a considerable
degree of influence, a larger share of power, and with it a larger
share of responsibility. (Hear.) Surely it must bean important
object to enable them to wield that power and to discharze
that responsibility in a way satisfactory in point of moral
Principle, and to the well-being of the country at large. I
trust, my lord, that the object iu which we are this day en-
gaged, will not be considered an insignificant one. (Hear.)
In speculating on the subject of education, or the training
of the rising generation to the due performance of their pub-
lie and private duties, it was essential to consider carefully
the grounds on which we were to stand. The projectors of
the Liverpool Collegiate Institution have decided that the
Only,„ safe basis of their design was the revealed word of God.
Wear and cheers.) It has been their conviction, that a
Christian, if he be sincere in his profession, to whatever
sect or denomination he may belong, cannot be justified in
attempting to promote education, except on a religious founds-
tion, and conducted to a religious end. (Hear, hear.) I
hope it will be admitted that the founders of this institution
have done wisely in connecting it strictly with the Established
tehurch. (Hear.) I hope it will be felt that it would have
been a dereliction of their duty as churchmen, in laying
down any line of education they might think proper to adopt,
not to have identified it with the principles, the doctrines,
and the discipline of the church to which they belong.
-) It is one of the fundamental laws of this insti-
tulion_, that it shall be conducted on the principles of the Es-
tablished Church—that the instruction given within its walls
shall be in strict unison with the liturgy, doctrines, articles,
and catechism of our establishment. (Hear.) And whilst
pt°ise who are to be concerned in its future management will,
truut, with uncompromising fidelity discharge the task e -
piesst.edirto them by adhering to those doctrines and princi-
structiotthey take care that all the in-
trust that also
bgriOtherlil there inculcated shall be in the spirit of that reli-
n which breathes nothing but kindness, affection, and
Y charity. (Hoar.) It is not my wish to detain you
veer, but I may be permitted, in compliance with there-
quest of the committee, to say a few words with reference to
the structure itself. When the committee had satisfied them-
selves of the soundness of the principles on which the esta-
blishment was to be conducted, they were anxious that the
edifice they were about to rear should be worthy of its object,
and an ornament to this great town. To enable them to
carry their views into effect, they had recourse to public coin-
Petition. The plans selected, and which, I believe, have been
Publicly exhibited, are those of a London artists Mr. Elmes ;
and it must be a peculiar gratification to that young artist to
reflect, that though now only commencing his career, he has
been fortunate enough to carry off the prize in three public
Competitions in this town during the past year, notwith-
standing he had those to compete with who were not only
old in their profission, but also adepts in their art. (Hear.)
It has happened, in the regulations since adopted, that it
does not fall to the lot of this gentleman to carry into execu-
tion the plans he has furnished. In justice to him I have
been requested by the committee to make this public state-
ment, that the reason why he has not been entrusted with
• the future care of the building is, that the committee felt
that, as trustees of a building of this nature, and with the
means they possess of carrying their object into effect, they
would not have been justified in going to the extent of his
claims as a remuneration for his services. At the same time
they could not but acknowledge that his motive in making
that claim was one deserving of great commendation : lie did
not feel authorised to break through the known rules of his
Profession. He was influenced solely by a feeling of delicacy
towards his brother artists. (Hear.) Having said thus
much, I will only express the high pride the committee feel
In being associated in a work of this kind with a nobleman
who has directed his commanding talents to the improvement
of his feilow-men—who has exerted his powerful talents for
the defence and the protection of the religion of his country
--who has had the courage to prefer principle to expediency
--and who has made the painful, though noble sacrifice of
Private feeling at the shrine of public duty. (Much cheering.)
The rev, Rector then presented to his lordship a handsome
solid silver trowel with an ivory handle, provided for the oc-
casion by Mr. Richard Doke, of Lord-street. Over the in-
feription is engraved in the finest style the crest of the Stan-
g elow that thee Stanleyn arms, quartered, with the motto—
' 14
Sans changer." The following is a copy of the inscription :
Presented to
The Right Honourable Lord Stanley, M.P.,
On the occasion of his laying the
Foundation Stone
of the
Liverpool Collegiate Institution,
Oct. 22d, MDCCCXL.
The bottle having then been deposited into the cavity pre-
pared for it, (along with silver and copper coins of the pre-
sent and past reigns, report of the institution, list of donors
to the present day, rules, &c., report of the Diocesan Society,
W'th report of the meeting lately held at the Amphitheatre :
one of the circulars signed by Robertson Gladstone and
Samuel Holme, Esquires, convening the first meeting held
to consider the propriety of founding the institution, and a
copy of the Mail of the day,) and covered with a copper-
Plate, bearing an inscription commemorative of the event,
the stone was lowered into its place, Lord Stanley, according
to the prescribed form, applying a mallet to the four corners,
and ascertaining the level of its position by a plummet. His
lordship having then returned to his place upon the steps
facing the stone, the Bishop proceeded to offer up the follow-
ing prayers
Prevent us, 0 Lord, in all our doings, with thy most gra-
cious favour, and further us with thy continual help, that in
this and all our works, begun, continued, and ended in thee,
we may glorify thy holy name, and finally by thy mercy ob-
tain everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Almighty God, the protector of all that trust in thee, with-
out whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy, we beseech thee
graciously to receive the prayers of thy servants who now
call upon thee, and to prosper this undertaking to thy glory
and the good of thy creatures. We know, 0 Lord, that un-
less thou build the house, their labour is but lost that build
it and therefore we pray thee to grant, that those who may
hereafter be engaged in this place, in the important office of
instructing others, may themselves be taught of thee, and
that all who may here receive instruction in things temporal
May also be made wise in things eternal, . and be instructed
Unto salvation through faith that is in Christ Jesus ; so tjiat
they who teach and they who are taught may first prize and
value those things which thou hast declared to be honourable,
and just, and true, and pure, and lovely, and that those who
have remembered the wants of this community may reap the
fruits of their godly zeal by witnessing the increase of Chris-
tian faith and holiness of the generation growing up around
them. These blessings, 0 Lord, we ask in the name and
mediation of Jesus Christ our Saviour, saying, as lie has
taught us, Our Father, which art in heaven., hallowed be thy
Panne, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is
In heaven, give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us
our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for
'hine is the kingdom, the power and thd glory, for ever and
ever. Amen.
Mr. SAMUEL HOLME then read a copy of the inscription
on the plate, deposited with the stone. The impression in
Mr. Hohne's hand was framed and glazed, and having been
Previously handed about to the company, was much admired
for its appropriate and ornamental character.• The engraving
!as executed by Mr. M`Gahey, of Lord-street, from a
design by Bishop.
The inscription, surmounted by an allegorical device, was
as follows