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NEW-YORK: THE AMEEIOAN IJTEWS OOMPAIfr; I860. V I • ' *■ 151631 jf Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1869, by THOMAS BROWN, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United Sfktes for the Southern District of New- York. / ^1 ■BP'^ 'tea! EXETEE HALL. •r y CHAPTER I. BXETKR HALL. Exeter Hall is a very large building situ- ated near the Strand, one of the principal Btieets of London. It lias accommodation for over four thousand persona, and it is the great Protestant forum and centre of attraction for all those who anxiously desire the spread of the Gospel, the dissemination of Christianity, and the evangelization of the world. It is also the head-quarters and grand rallying-point of those armies of prelates, preachers, pro- fessors, missionaries, and other devoted men who, from time to time, assert a renunciation of the world, its pomps and vanities ; many of whom, taking their lives in their hand, as eager to sutler in the glorious cause, sever social and domestic ties, and leave home and country, to spread in distant lands and over the dark places of the earth " the unsearch- able riches " among the millions yet destitute, of the degraded and perishing sons and daughters of Adam. Exeter Hall has a fame. Since its erection, about 1831, no other place in the world has attracted such crowds of social renovators, moral philosophers, philanthropists, and Chris- tians. Of late years, almost every great mea- sure for the amelioration of the condition of the human family has here had its inception, its progress, and its triumph. Surrounded as it is by theatres, Shakespearean temples de- voted to the drama, or, as^ many of the reli- gions world assert, to profane, vicious, and un- godly purposes, Exeter Hall alone lias the proud dintinction of being tlie great theatre tor the concentration of Protestant Cliristian- ity. From this great stand-point, the wisdom, intelligence, and power of whole nations have been Ijrought to bear against usages, systems, and laws antagonistic to the pure faith ; and a remedy suggested and provided for the moral and religious destitution of the world. But not altogether are measures purely re- ligious enacted in this great building. Secu- lar schemes of practical benevolence, scarcely second in importance to any other, are here developed ; social and national reforms are hero patronized ; music, science, philosophy, and literature are encouraged ; and personal, % national, and political wrongs feelingly de- picted ; and often some British Demosthenes will here make a stirring appeal before a thousand freemen in behalf of an oppressed people or down-trodden country ; and then there is a shout for liumar rights, and in that shout, as is always tho case, the voice of Exeter Hall is heard over all the earth. But it is in the genial month of May that this great theatre displays its power, and ex- ercises its wonted energies. Like the season, it seems invigorated ; there is an infusion of new life for a fresh effort, and in that effort lie the germs which, having been generously moistened by national dew-drops of a peculiar kind, are sure to mature into a bountiful har- vest. In May there is, as it were, a flowing of the nations of the world toward its great cap- ital ; and at that particular period the rush through the Strand to the immense Hall is wonderful, and its walls resound to li^e tfamp of people of every clime and tongue. , Dele- gates and representatives from almost every nation under heaven th3n assemble beneath its r1- dom indeed will either painted toy or tempt- ing ciindy induce the juvenile collector to •withdraw the little donation from its place of deposit. Tlio mone> is looked nyto.: as be- longing to the treasury of the Lord ; j n*! if the infant Protestant mind shonld happen to tolerate a little superstition in this respcsct, no objection has yet been offered. A public re- cognition of such services by children is high- ly satisfactory to religious parents, and is nat- urally found to be a powerful stimulus to entice and actuate younger disciples. Then, again, there are " Young Men's Asso- ciations," and thwein persons are appointed to perambulate certain places and localities for help for the heathen — haunts and purlieus T. here it would not be always safe and ncjver proper for respectable religious females to be seen. Thus the dissipated and abandoned are often beaonght, and, strange to say, are often donor*^ this great fund. It may be that at stated periods many recklessly rushing to sin and shame feel a degree of satisfaction in being solicited, as if the solicitation and the Sift were still proof'), though ever so weak, lat the poor dissipated wanderer was not as yet disowned by society, or considenxl as hopelessly sunk among the outcast and de- graded. Matrons have also an allotted task. Mature members of wealthy mercantile companies, ancient annuitants, gray-headed state iMsnsion- ers, and musty otficials are sought and softened by imjwrtunate appeals which will ttike no denial ; and the flinty man, wrapped up in freezing dignity, is generally unfolded, even to prove to himself that, mummy-like as ho may appear to others, "a heart still throbs within his leathern breast," and that its pulsations are yet human. Stewards, deacons, lay-preachers, and min- isters have ft peculiar field of labor, and are often more successful with wtialthy or v/ell-to- do-widows, and comfortable spinsters of an un- certain age, than other persons. The pleading, however, of ministerf> with all classes has a drawing effect ; but ab their duties are too mul- tifarious, their visits for such purposes are ne- cesHiirily circumscribed. The potency of a minister's influence is more particularly in a general and pathetic appeal to r cohgregatiou. or in private whispers at the bedside of the man who has walked the earth for the last time, and who, previous to settling hid last ac- count, is earnestly reminded of his iinal and- most important duty of *' honoring the Lord with his substance" — it would not be needed in the grave. But by far the most invincible and succcs»- ful collectors arc the young and beautiful fe- male members of the church. Such ijcrsous are classified as the " young lady collectors," and they prove themselves to be by all odds the most daring and triumphant. In this re- spect it has been asserted that erne young lady is wjual to thirteen and a half gentiem(in ; and pecuniary results have justly entitled the adolescent of the softer sex to this proportion- ate superiority. In collecting tours, the young ladies generally go in pairs, the more attract- ive and accomplished the better. As the duty is reac'My undertaken, every suitable place is visitt with the most unflinching determina- tion. Shopkeepers, olHcc-clerks. young busi- ness-men, and men of fashion — the grave and the gay, the great and the humble, and ail classes within reach that may with propriety be calhid on, are made to yield to solicitations which in nine cases out of ten are irresistible ; and if figures are facts, the returns ever prove that young lady collectors are far in advance of all others in this particular line of ])ious usefulness. The rocky, sordid hearts that can not be softened by apostolic prayers or siglu. siK-m to melt and bubble up beneath the mis- sionary ft^rvor of youth anil beauty. Thus it is, that by a v>eculiar and systematic organization almost every individual connect- ed with a church or religious society, from the mere child to the man or woman with gray hairs, may be made an active agent for the collection of small sems for missionary or other religious purposes, and which sums in the aggregate annually swell to an immen&o amount ; and thus it is that without ostenta- tation or an appaix'nt effort the greater por- tion of the annual princely revenue of the British and Foreign Bible Society is obtained from the people by a mild but detennined en- forcement of the "voluntary principle.' Tho orthod(« Englishman is proud of Ex(!ter Hall. In the rustic church or great cathedral ho had heanl of the wonderful suc- cess of the primitive apostles, and had been instructed in the mystic doctrines of Christian- ity, and told of its superiority over more an- cient Pagan creeds. Whiit) tho Bible had been held up as the great mirror of truth, he had bec;n ciiutionard of tho adventures of primitive Christians in their endeavors to propagate the " truth " in tho midst of powerful and irap» rial heathenism ; and had been told how au- t » !» I, I EXETER HALL. i: I- 'h I \i jpist potentates bncamo enraj?ocl at the pious innovation, and at tlie disrespect shown to tho gods ; liow tho great Koman empire thunder- ed forth its denunciations in fierce and lilofxly persecutions under Nero, Domitian, Trajan, ^[arcu8 Aurelius, and others clothed with tlic imperial purple, down to tho reputed conver- sion of Constantine. Hero he had heard of the fierce contests between tho rival Ijishops of tho Eastern and Western, or Oreek and Ro- man Churches, and of the final establishment of the "man of sin ;" how Ood's so-called "vicegerent" in the fullnera of his ix)wcr crushed with unfeeling heart, all who dared to dispute his spiritual dictation ; how in the pride of his assumed and terrible preeminence, the simple minded, unoffending, and defense- less Waldenses and Albigenses were hunted like wild bea&ts from their humble homes, and mutilated and slaughtered by the bloody Montfort ; how, more than a century later, the valleys of Piedmont were again deluged with the blood of these poor j)eople by the brutal Oppede. It was in this place that his eyes were suffused with tears whfen in connec- tion with the foregoing narrations, he first heard, amid tho deep silence of a multitude, the solemn but beautiful verses of the great Milton : "Avenge, O Lordl thy slaughtered saints whose bones Lie scattered on the Alpine mountains cold. Even them who kept thy faith so pure of old. When all our fathers worshiped stocks and stones, Forget not ; in thy book record iheir groans Who were thy sheep and in their ancient fold 8laia by the tiloody Piedmontese that rolled Mother with infant down the rocks. Their moans The vales redoubled to the hills, and thoy To Heaven. Their martyred blood and ashes sow O'er all the Italian fields, where still doth sway The tripled tyrant ; that from these may grow A liundred-foUl, who having learned thy way Uarly may lly the Babylonian woe." Then when some fervid speaker, after having recited these verses, would ylose his remarks with an indignant denunciation of such cruel- ty, the pent-up feeling of the multitude would become liberated and significantly audible. In Exeter Hall tho Englishman had heard of tho Inquisition; of its depths, its dun- geons, its terrors, its cruelties, and its victims. Hero, too, he had heard of the great massacre of St. Bartholomew, and had warnings, time after time, against the treachery and iutriguo and cruelty of Papal Rome. Here he was told of tho struggles of the Reformation, and of its heroes, princely and reverend, Avho stood out against tho imperious mandates of the great ecclesiastical tyrant ; and as fact after fact wrs adduced to prove that that great convu^^ion, the violent upheaving of an ancient d aspotism, was designed by Provi- dence for the freedom of the human mind, he lelt that Britain — liis own loved land — had acted no secondary part ia reducing and humbling the towering pretensions of so ter- rible an enemy. Many other religious historical facts were there brought to his notice ; and although tho subsequent acts of many of tho Protest- ant reformers were, alas! of a fearful and diabolical charact«!r, no mention was ever made of that iniquity, nor of the unholy secrets of that more modern inquisition — the Protestant Star Chamber. A blush of shame was spared, and the fraternal partiality of Exeter Hall very wisely and prudently threw the mantle of oblivion over all. These tracings of a particular history, first permanently impressed on his memory in such a place, and under peculiar existing circum- stances, associated with the warm, applause awarded to strong and passionate assertions in favor of freedom of speech, liberty of con- science, liberty of the press, and of liberty itself, and all identifying his native*country as the progenitor of such ideas, may well lead tho impulsive Englishman to revere forever tho name of Exeter Hall. Thus it is that at the immense meetings of this distinguished forum, that monster organ- ization, the British and Foreign Bible Soci- ety, the great evangelical giant of Christen- dom is again nourished and recuperated ; and thus its prodigious arms are again strength- ened and stretched out, overshadowing deserts, oceans, islands, and continents, and only meet- ing to inclose within its vast embrace the whole unconverted world. CHAPTER II. The wild March winds had passed away, having spent their fury over distant moor, bleak heath, and through trembling, naked trees. Broken, pendent branches, and piles of drifted, withered leaves in wall angles and hedge corners were remaining proofs of the rough season that had followed in the dreary track of ten thousand others of the same kind. The distant ocean was again calm, albeit that there might still remain on its grand surface terrible mementoes of some fearful struggle between the daring skill of impetuous man and the sjill more Avild and impetuous waves, now again wearied and slumbering in the still- ness of immensity. The earth, too, was calm and beautiful. The glorious day-dawn that was drearaingly stealing from out of the night- shadow looked like the timid virgin light of a new i)lanetary creation; A sun-gleam tipped the distant tree-tops, now gently stirred by the first breath of a new morn ; tho lark in heav- en and the song of the rushing stream on earth, were to tho pausing and wondering wayfaring man like whispers from a long-lost paradise. As it was, Hampstead never looked more like tho original garden said to have been so pleasing and delightful to our great progeni- tor. Every cottage seemed imbedded in sur- roundings of q^uiet loveliness, as its outline became more tully developed in the new dawn ; and every object, hill and vale, tower and tree, rock and river, was adorned in the soft, rosy light of tho young day. On a gentle slope, facing the great, dim me- tropolis beneatli, stood Heath Cottage, an unobtrusive object in the picture. It was in the iiuddle of a pleasant garden, around the walls of which wore a number of fine old trees that, scntiuel-likc, had stoud the blast \. EXETER HALL. of over a hundred winters. The houso was a modern Btructure ; there was nothing stylish in its architecture ; it was a plainly b'lilt, com- fortable EDglish hoinesteacl, and sufficiently capacious tor a family much larjjer than that which had occupied it for many years. There wore shade trees and neat Iieilges by the roadside, and in front there were smiling; flower-beds in which the crocus, hyacinth, and tulip were already conspicuous. Shrubs and plants and rose-trees were in profusion, and curious little winding walks, with trim box- wood borders, invited you i)h'a8in;rly onward to a 8un-dia). close to which there was a mini- ature fountain tossing up its little jet of ■pray to welcome the sunbeams, and moisten- ing the moss-covered rock-work rising out of the graveled space before tiie door-steps. Ascending these steps the entrance was be- sieged by flower pots of various shapes and sizes ; some perched on rustic stands, and look- ing as if determined to pop in from the eleva- tion through the side lights, and storm the chattering and defiant bird cages which flank- ifd the sun-lit ]>a^sage. Ambitious young vinos were curiously peering through the intricate traceries around the b.iy windows nt (Mich side of the door, and pendent stems of ivy alternately tapped at the dormer panes that looKed out from the steep roof. As you entered Heath Cottage, the hall was ornamented, embellished, or incumberetl with quaint and incongruous articles. Besides cages and canaries, there were pictures of London in the olden time, engravings of the Hags and gods of all nations; the scene of an " Auto da fe ;" of the massacre of St. Barthol- omew ; of a persecution of Jews by Chris- tians, and of Quakers by Puritans ; there were pieces of armor, war clubs from the Sandwich Islands, a boomerang from Austra- lia, an idol from Japan, relics from the wreck of the Armada, and a fcAv of the smaller instru- ments of torture from the British Star Cham- ber and Spanish Inquisition. Many of these strange things were suggestive of ideas not at all pleasing or honorable to humanity, nor creditable to the religious toleration of a for- mer period ; and here now were hung, as more curiosities, some of those terrible aids to faith which could afford to the student posi- tive illustrations of historic truth. There were also a few specimens af mechanical or engineering skill, such as the models of a sljip, a bridge— the whole giving the place a museum-like appearance. The first door to the right led to a nent, well- furnished parlor ; not one of the stately freez- ing looking places where chairs and tables and mirrors and marble are muffled up in musty dignity, only to be exposed and made cheerful looking on great occasions. It was an apartment for home use, and not alone for the reception of occasional visitors. There was no pretense about the place ; it was what it looked — a cottage parlor, and eveiy thing in it was made subservient to the happiness of home. As a proof of this, many pass- ing Heath Cottage might be sefin treading with slower pace in order to hear the fine tones of the piano skillfully brought out ; or oftener delayed to listen to soft voices mingled in some beautiful duo, and accompanied by that instrument. IndiM>d, many ardent lovers of music had been heard to lemark that it was ditficuh at times to keep from loitering near the cottage, or to pass it by and leave so much liarmony behind you. Opposite the parlor was a large apartment called the family room, from which you entered a small but well stocked library, connected witli which was a little room that looked out on a patch of garden, and was well adapted for writing or quiet study. Behind tlie dwelling, there was a small orchard and a summer-house covf^ed with grape vines ; and a space of greensward for l)lay-ground, along which you passed to the shedb and stable. Taking it all in all. Heath Cottage was just such a place as a person with moderate means and limited desires might find to be a pleasant retreat from ambitious cares or the envy of the aspiring. Such it had been for many years to its proprietor, Martin Manners, who now, on this fair, first morning of April, was looking down with beami/ig face from one of the dormer windows into the garden. " What ! Merry Pop, down before me ? Oh I I see ; you were determined to win, and I suppose you got up before day." 'Indeed I did not. Pa; I bet that I would be down before you on the first of April, and here I am, ready for the wager." " Well, here it is," and out flew a pair of lavender gloves from the window, falling at the feet of Mary Manners. " Down, Flounce, down, sir !" but Flounce would not stay. Away he gamboled with the gloves in his mouth, over flower-beds and bushes, until met at a corner by a delicate looking boy, Mary's brother, who grasped Flounce by the neck and rescued the gloves. " Pop," said Mr. M&nnors, " Flounce knows this is the first of April, and wants to make an April fool of you." " Pa, indeed you have pampered that saucy dog too much ; but neither he nor you shall make a fool of me today," replied the ex- cited girl, looking up at the window through her beautiful brown, shining curls. " Oh ! of course not. You're too wist\ Pop, to be caught witli chaff— not you." Mr. Manners then, apparently surprised, looked for a moment at some object in front of the house, and hastily cried, " Look, Will, look, Mary ! That surely is the identical April fool, if there ever was one, standing at the garden gate. Mary and her brother looked at once in thai direction, but as the intervening trees prevent- ed any object from being clearly seen, away Mary started, followed by her brother ; there was a race for the gate, then there was a dead halt, then a pause of doubt, and then a shout of laughter from Mr. Manners ; for instead of there being but one April fool at the gate there were actually tvco. "W^ell, Martin," pettishly observed Mrs. Manners, who had by this time got to the win- dow, " how silly ! What an example of decep- tion to show the children ! What value can they place on your word ? You should be the very last to deceive them with such an old 9 EXETER HALL. %4 wife's fable, or encouraji^e tliera to think of such stupid nonsenHO." "Nonsense did you say, Emma? Well, if every fable tuat is taught for truth in this wise and sanctimonious ago, and believed in by old- er children, were as harmless, tliero would be far more peace and good-will among men and women too— ay, far more happiness. But I must go down to tlie garden. You may tell them to try and bo serious. I will bid them laugh and enjoy their cheerful impulses; I know which will make them moat happy in the long run, nt least in this world." In another minute Martin Mannors stood close to the little fountain ; his cheery voice rang through the garden like music, and again he laughed aloud at the ruse he had so successfully practiced. Mary and her brother had returned, and once more the laugh was general. Flounce, too, was springing about, giving repeated barks of approbation as if he knew all almat it, and was delighted at the performance. There was no doubt as to the heartfelt plea- sure of the whole party, and ho must have been a cynic indeed who could liave looked upon the happy faces of that group and assert that the cause of so much pleasure was a sin. Even Mrs. Mannocs, wlio bow witnessed their joyful meeting, and who had but just lectured Iter husband upon his indiscretion, felt the influence of their cheerful emotions ; and, to appear consistent, she had to turn away quick- ly from the window to hide from father and chidren the smile that was then shining on her own face. Martin Mannors, the proprietor of Heath Cottaj^e, was j ust past the middle age of life;, but healthy, hearty, and joyous. His actual years miglit number fifty-seven, yet at first view ho looked scarcely beyond forty. He was of medium height, squarely built, vigor- ous, and active ; he liad a mild gray eye, and a most benevolent expression of countenance. " Time had not thinned his flowing hair," neither had it as yet 8carcwn as " class, meeting." A class is composed of five or six, or may be of a dozen, actual members of the society, in good standing. Every such class has its " leader " — a person who has been well tried and approved, and one of known experi- ence in "holy things," appointed to meet these members at stated jwriods. At such meetings, each member is personally addressed by the leader, and is required to express in his own way the dealings of Ciod with his soul, and to give a brief account of his or her reli- gious experience since they last mot. As each individual concludes, the leader gives a few appropriate words of admonition or en- couragement, and generally reconmiends a great(!r attention to prayer, and a closer ob Bervance of some duty hitherto neglected. The leader of the class of which Mrs. Man- nor.s was a member strongly urged the duty of watchfulness ; and, as a means of detection, advised that each member should if possible keep a journal, and daily make therein such entries respecting trials, temptations, and sug- gestions from the E. il One, as might bo deem- ed applicable. Mrs. Mannors, therefore, kept a journal, and noted for her perusal every in- cident or Muitter which her feelings led her to think miglit affect her 8piritun,l interest ; and the er.try made by her on the first day of April was as follows : " April Ist. — This morning was again blest In believing. Oh! for moie faith. Would that the faith of the saints were given to un- believers ! I still hope. God's arm is not shortened ; his power is still great, even to the sending of signs and visions. This morning his glorious cross was visible to my mortal eyes. Satan would have it a delusion ; but I will believe." Then followed these lines from one of Wesley's hymns : > " Lift up for all mankind to see, The standard of their dying God, And point them to the .shameful tree. The cross all stained with hallowed blood." Although it was not unusual to see a vast cloud of smoke stretching over London, suffi- cient even at times almost to hide the tops of the higliest steeples, yet it was an uncommon sight indeed to find the city so completely hidden as it appeared to be that morning — the lone cross the only distinct object. To the natural philosopher it was a beautiful sight ; it was very much so to Mr. Mannors and his companions. There was no mystery to them about the matter ; even William, if asked by his father, could have given an explanation of the appearance and the atmospheric cause. But to his mother it was something more. Her mind was strongly impressed that she had been jiermitted to behold a vision, and she felt certain that some revelation or promise was thereby intended for her special edifica- tion. During a long period of th« religious ca- reer of Mrs. Mannors, she had often had dreams and visions of a singular and impres- sive character. In seasons of active religious duty and continued prayer, she would go forth in dreams to Calvary, on which the cross and Saviour would be for her again erected ; she would give a minute description of his person and tell of the benignant smile that he be- stowed on her. Then again she would re- late some curious interposition; and a cir- cumstance that might pass entirely unnoticed at other times would at these particular peri- ods be traced to the hand of a special provi- dence. It appeared, therefore, that her mind was occasionally besnt by illusions; and during certain periodical religious excite- ments, she ate and drank, or walked about, or slept, in hourly expectati