Page images
PDF
EPUB

you, for a moment to leave those difficulties, and forget the lives of those professing Christians who are so unlike Christ. I ask you for a moment to look at Christianity as embodied in the life of Christ. Think of the fact that Christ was a poor man-that he was a labouring man-that he was a working man. Read His teachings, and see if you find the least trace of that mammon worship which you profess to hate so much. Did He not always treat man as man? He paid no honour to wealth and splendour. But He ever honoured humanity, even when fallen and degraded. Do you wonder that the "common people"-as they are called-heard Him gladly? Do you wonder that the poor, the wretched, the disappointed, the doubting, the undone, gathered round. Him, and tearfully marvelled at His loving words? Do you wonder that loving mothers brought their sweet babes, that He might put His hands upon them, and bless them? Oh! I don't wonder. Talk of the people's friend!-where is he? Talk of the large-hearted philanthropist!-where is he? Talk of the world's reformer!-where is he? Where will you find him but in the God-man, Jesus Christ?

I know that some of you working-men are longing for the political and social regeneration of society. I share your longing. But I tell you, that you have not got the necessary instrument to work out this change. I prophesy that all your schemes of Socialism, Chartism, and Secularism will fail,-utterly fail. It is only as Christ's teaching and laws are obeyed, that your object will be realised. Christianity says "We that are strong ought to bear the burthens of the weak." You know what the world has ever said, and ever will say, until it is Christianized-"We that are strong ought to make the weak bear our burthens." Christianity says "He that is greatest among you, shall be servant of all." The world says-"He that is greatest among you, shall do nothing at all, and have everybody to wait

upon him." The principle of the world is selfishness; the principle of Christ is benevolence. The world says "Look to number one-it is every man for himself." But Christ says "You must look to number two as well as number one; and you must love your neighbour as yourself." But you are ready to tell me, that many Christians don't practise Christ's teachings. Alas! my brother, it is too true! I know it: I told you it was no very easy thing to be a Christian. It is vastly easier to become a good mechanic, a good cotton spinner, or a good merchant, than to become a good Christian. However, you must not condemn Christianity on account of the imperfections of its professors. That is unfair. If I were to condemn the people's charter because some Chartists have burnt down mills and factories, you would say that is not fair. You must judge the charter on its own merits. So I say of Christianity. You have been looking at it through a false medium, and therefore your impressions are What a very imperfect idea a man would have of the sun, who had only looked at it through a Manchester fog! And just so it is with men who look at the Sun of Righteousness through the imperfections of professing Christians. My brother, I beseech you go and study Christianity in the life of Christ, and you will soon say-"LORD, I BELIEVE!"

erroneous.

And now, I have done. I commend the subject to your thoughtful consideration. As working-men you have many difficulties to meet-many hardships to bear. But go forth like stalwart men, resolving in the strength of God to do your duty. And while you labour for the bread that perisheth, I beseech you not to forget that intellectual and spiritual bread, the value of which is above rubies.

MECHANICAL TRADES OF GREAT BRITAIN.

BY MR. GEORGE GENT,

MACHINIST AND TOOL MAKER, MANCHESTER

[A Paper read at a meeting of the Masters, Foremen, and Draughtsmen's
Association, Manchester, 1858.]

Is speaking of the mechanical trades of Great Britain, I do so with much diffidence, because I know it embraces interests of such magnitude; and because I feel my inability to deal with the subject in a way that its importance deserves. If we contemplate for a moment the vastness of our manufactories in the preparation of our textile fabrics,-our engineering and machine making establishments,-our steamship building and railway accommodation,-and contrast our present position with that of some sixty years ago only, we shall readily perceive the elevated position attained by the industry, ingenuity, and enterprise of the mechanical trades of Great have been a comparatively poor and insignificant spot. Britain; without which, England would at this time -True we are rich in minerals, especially of coal previous to the introduction of the steam engine, these valuable stores and providential gifts were Concealed in the secret recesses of the earth, hid from human view; and if the mind of man could penetrate into the bowels of the earth, and thus discover the rich treasures therein contained, the arts and sciences were not so far advanced as to enable us

to obtain the same, except under very favourable and

[ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors]
[graphic]

upon him." The principle of the world is se the principle of Christ is benevolence. says "Look to number one-it is every himself." But Christ says "You mus number two as well as number one; and love your neighbour as yourself." But you to tell me, that many Christians don' Christ's teachings. Alas! my brother, it I know it: I told you it was no very to be a Christian. It is vastly easier to good mechanic, a good cotton spinner, merchant, than to become a good Christi ever, you must not condemn Christianity of the imperfections of its professors. unfair. If I were to condemn the peopl because some Chartists have burnt down factories, you would say that is not fair. judge the charter on its own merits. S Christianity. You have been looking at a false medium, and therefore your impr What a very imperfect i would have of the sun, who had only l through a Manchester fog! And just so men who look at the Sun of Righteousno the imperfections of professing Christ brother, I beseech you go and study Chr the life of Christ, and you will soon say BELIEVE!"

MECHANICAL TRADES OF GREAT BRITAIN.

BY MR. GEORGE GENT,

MACHINIST AND TOOL MAKER, MANCHESTER,

[A Paper read at a meeting of the Masters, Foremen, and Draughtsmen's Association, Manchester, 1858.]

Ix speaking of the mechanical trades of Great Britain, I do so with much diffidence, because I know it embraces interests of such magnitude; and because I feel my inability to deal with the subject in a way that its importance deserves. If we contemplate for a moment the vastness of our manufactories in the preparation of our textile fabrics, our engineering and machine making establishments, our steamship building and railway accommodation,-and contrast our present position with that of some sixty years ago only, we shall readily perceive the elevated position attained by the industry, ingenuity, and enterprise of the mechanical trades of Great Britain; without which, England would at this time have been a comparatively poor and insignificant spot. -True we are rich in minerals, especially of coal and iron, which are a source of much wealth; but previous to the introduction of the steam engine, these valuable stores and providential gifts were concealed in the secret recesses of the earth, hid from human view; and if the mind of man could penetrate into the bowels of the earth, and thus discover the rich treasures therein contained, the arts and sciences were not so far advanced as to enable us to obtain the same, except under very favourable and

« EelmineJätka »