THE QUEEN’S JUBILEE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1558, 18 September 1886, Page 2

THE QUEEN’S JUBILEE.

The above was the title of an exceedingly interesting and instructive heture delivered by the Rev, Joseph Berry, of Christchurch, in the Wesleyan Church, Temuka, last Wednesday evening. The church was well filled, and the lecture was thoroughly enjoyed by all present. The Rev. Mr Thomas occupied the chair, and, after some hymns were sung, read some extracts from the annual report of the Home mission. He then introduced the rev. lecturer, who he said had retired from a position equal to an archbishop, and now occupied a position corresponding to that of a bishop. No doubt it the name of the lecturer which had attracted such a large audience. The lecturer, who was well received, commenced his lecture without any preface. QUEEN VICTORIA. On the 20th of June, 1837, between the hours of 4 and 5 a.m., the Archbishop of Canterbury hied to the Queen’s residence, and, while she was yet sleeping, knocked at the Royal chamber, stating lie had something of great import to convey ta Victoria. Soon she appeared in simple morning dress. How unlike many girls of 18 was the prompt response, which gave the key to punctuality and early piety 1 She received the message by making the simple request of His Grace, “ Pray for me,” and fell upon her knees. Thus it may be said she began to reign on her knees. Her utter want of pride of power was beautifully exemplified when Victoria said “She would not be the first to inform her aunt' of her changed position.” The Queen also said, “ The position is one of great splendour, but of great responsibility. I will be good.” This was no passing emotion, but one resolutely kept during a long and brilliant reign. The rev. lecturer, speaking of her early training, said she was kept scrupulously secluded. Her servants were guarded, and her books were carefully selected ; and altogether, before reaching the throne Victoria knew little of the outside world—the wise provision of the Duchess of Kent and her other advisers. This was necessary, as immediately preceding her reign, the Court waa in a state of utter impurity and corruption. Her marriage with Albert the Good was the result of Victoria’s early recognition of the Prince’s early piety. The Queen had been spoken of as a mere figure-head. Twelve years ago, when Disraeli was Prime Minister, he stated in the House of Commons that no person of the realm knew State affairs better: than the Queen ; no Slate paper twas signed by her without first approving S»f its contents. Palmerston once ventured upon interfering with the Queen’s prerogative, for which he received a rebuke which proved that the position was no mere figure-head. The marks of improvement instituted by Victoria in Court parity were striking and complete, and now it was a beautiful and chaste family. The lecturer reverted to the London Social Purity Association, and, while paying a high tribute to Mr W. G. Stead, stated that one heart beat in high sympathy with him, and that was the heartfelt sympathy of the good monarch. GEORGE IT. What a difference between this and the state of affairs which existed under George IV. That monarch married to pay his debts, and took the bracelet off his wife’s hand to pay his mistress. He was drunk on the night of the wedding, and at another time whenhe was asked something about State affairs he replied his head was too muddled after the previous night’s debauch to think of anything, and that he had settled the Catholic question. He (the speaker) believed that Lad he lived nowadays the people would soon settle him. What he studied most was dress, and had around him dressy fops. One of these, in order to get money, betted with the King that geese would beat turkeys iu a race of 20 miles. The bet was made, and the turkeys beat for a part of the way, but towards the end of the journey the geese took the lead and won', and George lost his money. It was said that George weighed a quarter of a ton, and that there was not one ounce of good in him. WILLIAM VI. began his his reign with an oath. He swore at the pen they gave him to write with, and he was the greatest blasphemer in the realm. He was father to a large family, who were given no right to name him as such. The lecturer here brought out the difference between the beginning of Victoria’s reign and this. As to the MATERIAL PROGRESS, Mr Gladstone hud said that from the year 1850 to 1875 England had made more money than the half ceutury preceding. It might be said, however, that this prosperity went into the pockets of the few. This was not so, as while wages hud become higher the necessities of life had been reduced in price. Bsloro tho repeal of the corn laws the minimum price of wheat was 80s a quarter. A laborer required to work 12 hours for a 41b loaf; now the same could be had for an hour’s labor. The speaker quoted Dr Qiffin, showing that the laborer gets from 60 to 100 per cent more money now for 20 per cent less work than he did 50 years ago. The laborers of to-day consume 13 per cent more meat, 6 per cant more butter, 4 per cent more curry, 7 per cent more eggs, 12 per cent more potatoes, and 5 per cent more bread. It was prpyed that men liyed two yesra and

women three years longer than in the beginning of the century, a pamphlet had been isssued, “ THE BITTER CRY OP LONDON,” Which -set forth that things were getting worse in the east of London. It touched the hearts of millions. However, the idea that London was getting worse was erroneous, and consequently another pamphlet had been issued detailing a view of London forty years ago, which proved that great improvement had been made. It was found in that day that, in the east end of London, 13 houses accommodated 1300 people. Often in these rooms married couples and single men «nd women found shelter, and did not seem to think anything shameful attached to such a condition. One court in Drury Lane, 70 paces long by 3 wide, contained 21 houses, and accommodated 900 people. This was their only play-ground or place for drying clothes. In one room there were four families, one in each comer, and they agreed well till one took in a lodger. In the year 1831 the criminal returns showed 20 persons per 1000, whereas now 5 per 1000 was the number, and although the population had greatly increased in the east end of London tbs public houses had been reduced by 15. The influences of CHRISTIANITY, And the increase of tenderness that proceeded therefrom, had brought about these great social and material improvements. A reason why, in the present day, the condition of, the masses looked so black was because in the clearing of the atmosphere all the blackness bad to be stirred ; as when a neglected room is being dusted out. its look during the operation is worst. They had now 1000 Christian missions in those parts of London, who were flinging themselves into the slums, and while the blackness of impurity and vice might now be more manifest, untold good had been and waa being done. THB NIWSPAPER. The spread of intelligence by the multiplication of newspapers and the cheapness of printing bad contributed largely to the improved conditions. They ought to thank God for the newspapers. Some people sneered at them, and could not reconcile themselves to placing them side by side with the B b'e, but see what they had done and wha they were doingl Take one of them, and yoii will get the news of the whole world focussed. From London, St. Petersburg, New York, the news is got every morning; then there waa the local columns, the reports of all kinds of meetings, and leading articles, containing the best thoughts of trained thinkers, laid on the door step for one penny each morning. They ought to thank God for their newspapers. Not a monarch in Europe had such a privilege 50 years ago. Waterloo was won three days before the news reached the monarch of England. The lecturer then proceeded to show that until 1815 the MEANS OF TRANSIT Was very bad, and showed hotv trains and macadamised roads improved it. EDUCATION, Education in New Zealand cost the nation about £400,000 per annum. Soma said this was too much. He thought not. It was not possible to empty our money into a safer place than into our beads. It was a disgrace to speak of too much money being spent on education, when we knew that annually £23,000,000 was spent in strong drink. In the year 1839 a motion was made in the House of Commons to grant £30,000 to educate the poor, whicl' was carried by a majority of two, and one-haif of the peeple of England could not at that time write their own names. Now England spends £4,000,000 a year on education. The condition of children at Home wasdeplorable. The little chimney-sweep who was thrust and beat up the flues, and often suffocated there; brought out the beautiful story of Thomas Cosyper, who was still alive. The inhumanity previous to 1841 of employing children of five and six years old in coal mines was depicted with heartmoving and truthful sadness. The efforts of the noble Earl of Shaftesbury to emancipate women and children from this thraldom were rehearsed. PAST LEGISLATORS. The lecturer had noticed in an article in the Lyttelton Times that in our gaols there were 40 children under 10 years of iige, and 60 under 15 years, it was asked what we were doing. Had we lived a generation ago these children, instead of being confined, would have been banged. There was no paid gaoler in those days, and 223 classes of crimes were met by hanging, 150 of them being laws made in the reigns of the Georges. Capital punishment was inflicted for the foliowing offences:—Disfiguring Westminster bridge, killing a rabbit, stealing to the value of ss. As to our statesmen, people would hardly credit that 50 years ago duelling was resorted to as the means of settling a dispute. Fox, Pitt, O'Connell, and the Duke of Wellington each fought a duel; but in the year 1844 the good Prince Albert had used his influence in successfully abolishing the barbarous custom, and made an apology sufficient to meet an ordinary dispute. Even the great Duke of Wellington recognised no rights of the people to have a voice in political affairs. Before the passing of the Reform Bid there was no representation for the masses. Constituencies were bought and sold like any other commodity, and the privileged Upper House ruled England. The i.fluence of loose women played an important part in the country’s affairs, while positions in the army were simply a matter of money. What a change has been effected by such leaders as John Bright, Gladstone—the Grand Old Man—Cobden, and even Salisbury I However we may differ with such statesmen, we do not doubt the purest motives are theirs in every national undertaking. The lecturer then spoke of Sunday Schools and the Temperance movement, as compared with their beginning. TEMPERANCE. He spoke of the eating and drinking propensities cf our ministers 50 years ago. Dr Stuart, now in Dunedin, said that in the church he occupied in Scotland the former minister exacted from his parishioners, before the sacrament, two fat sheep and two ga'lons of best Jamaica rum. This was quite a common thing. Toe funeral ceremony also was made the ground for extra drunkenness. He told the story of an Episcopalian clergyman who went to read his prayers, covering his hunting drees with the ministerial to';e. Joining in with Iho Catholic clergyman after church, they both invited the Presbyterian minister to accompany them busting for the rest of the

day, but the latter confessed to being; too drunk to do so 1 The only time the speaker’s own father was drunk was at a Sabbath meeting. Such was the state of affairs in the church 60 years aqo. Doubtless in modern days there were many agencies at work in theology, geology, etc., endeavoring* to set aside the Christian religion They hailed them with gladness rather than otherwise. While in a railway carriage they did not feel timid when they noticed the man tapping the wheels with a hammer. They rather wished, if there was a crack therein, it should be found out. So with the Christian faith. They invited every kind of fair criticism, and if thare was error they were bound to feel grateful to anyone who would point it out, so that they might be able to say they who sought the young child’s life. ’ A state of unrest ought not to be hailed a bad sign. The father who beholds his boy’s sleeves reaching gradually to the elbow, and hia trousers growing immensely short, does not frighten at it. He rather exclaims, “ Bless us, the boy is growing 1” >'■> the church is growing, and makii.’V >•* all more sympathetic, lender, and loving to humanity. In n'l changes they might look to Him with no anxiety, but living faith. As Queen Victoria had early laid her heart and crown at the foot of the King of Kings, bo the time was approaching when the power of Christ would overthrow all enemies, and when all hearts would he His. ' The learned lecturer resumed his seat amidst continued applause. Mr J. Brown moved a hearty vote of thanks to the Rev. Mr Berry for his very able, instructive, and pleasing address. The Rev. Mr Bootbroyd briefly seconded the motion, which was carried by acclamation. The meeting terminated with prayer.