IMAGIE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 tSIEl 1125 I.I II 1.25 ■i^ m If 1^ 1.4 2.2 2.0 !.8 1.6 VI ^> ^3 '<^/ w< /A /y^v,. & °w Photographic Sciences Corporation % ''l^^ 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. HSao (716) 872-4503 i^^d. ? ■^0 -- ^ JOB PKTNTKUS, V'KJTORIA HALL. ^ 1807. THE MISSION OF GREAT BRITAIN TO THE WORLD, Or some of the Lessons which she Is now Teaching. A LECTURE IDEIjITrEK.E3D JLT STI?.A.T:F0I^ID BY REV. JAMES GEORGE, D.D. TORONTO: DUDLEY & BURNS, BOOK AND JOB PRINTERS, VICTORIA HALL. 186t. THE MISSION OF GREAT BRITAIN TO THE WORLD, OR BOMB OF THK LESSONS WHICH SHE IS NOW TEACHING. To do justice to the subject which this statement announces, would require a volume — and not a small one ; and a genius incomparable greater than the man who now addresses you. All that I shall attempt, will be to state and illustrate a few prominent points from this vast theme. If this serves to awaken suitable reflections, and an hour's rational entertainment, then the object of this address shall have been accomplished. As we profess to believe, that the providence of God extends to all human afl^airs — the least as well aa the greatest, so assuredly, the greatest of these ought to secure the most careful considera^ tion. By Him kings reign, and nations are raised up to act their part on the stage of time, and then decay and pass away into the surrounding mass; so that many of them entirely disappear from the records of the world. Yet no believer, in a wise and superintending providence doubts that each one had its appro- priate work to perform in the great order of things. This is a very marvellous thought, but the human mind will not fully comprehend it, till the great drama is finished and assembled worlds shall shout Hallelujah. The enquiry, what were the grand purposes subserved by the Assyrian, Babylonian, Greek and Roman Empires ; were a highly important and delightful theme, but one too vast to be taken up even partially on the present occasion. Moreover, the topic wo have choson, can on the whole bo satisfactorily handlod without entangling ourselves with those matters of enquiry. What is the mission of Great Britain in the world ; or whet ''.re some of the lessons God has commissioned her now to teach, is a question which stands oilt with sufficient individuality? I» humbly attempting to answer this — and surely humility hero is indispensable — I would remark. I. Thut she has been commssioned to teach a noble language, embodying the richest scientific and literary treasures. Tho language of every people is perfect for their own iiso. If their thoughts arc few and simple, a simple language answers their purposes. Language in fact, is never got up to order, nor is it ever either strengthened, or polished, as an article of mere curiosity, or taste. As the mind grows, language grows, and adapts itself to the thinking of the people. Hence, a highly civilized race, will ever have, a highly accomplished language. The English tongue strikingly illustrates this. It is very gener- ally held, that a certain mixture of blood, drawn from the noblest branches of the human family, produces the finest race of men. But, be that as it may, we see that a mixture of certain tongues, ever gives as a product — the noblobt speech. This is specially true, when the elements are drawn from highly cultivated languages. Tho English tongue, is in all senses a very noble one. • I apply the term noble, with a rigorous exactness. Yet, all but more pedants readily allow, that tho worth of any language, is on tho whole in proportion to the amount of high thought, which the words of it carry. Tho Eoman and Greek languages came to maturity under circumstances widely different from ours ; yet, each of these tongues becomes invaluable from tho amount of thought it embodies. Our present English has appropriated many words and thoughts from these and other tongues, till it has, at length, accumulated vast and imperishable riches. But now, mark it — Great Britain is on a grand scale, engaged in teaching this noble tongue to the world. Some have fancied — I am one of them — that long before the close of time, there will be a language universally known to all men. This, if a true surmise, will repair the evil that happened at Babel, a short time after the flood. The multiplicity of languages is a singular, and in many ways a painful phenomenon. Bat in a world, all in confusion by sin, it is easy to see that this diversity of tongues must operate in a thousand ways to the prevention of crimes. But wo do not suppose that, this wickedness is to continue to the last, as the normal condition of oui' world. Without assuming the high millenarian view — which I do not hold — still, one may soberly hope that a long course of ages have yet to come, of great purity, moral order, truth and comparative peace, in our world. Now what more necessary for giving full effect to this happy state of things, than one language. For the diffusion of learning science and divine truth this would be greatly instrumental Indeed, the millennium, oven in a modified sense, would require this Instrumentality. I hope it is not spoken ignorantly, nor in a tone of arrogant patriotism, when I say that the English language is eminently fitted for this purpose, and that things for a generation past seem to point to its final accomplishment. Yet, as it is not the mere words of a language that will entitle it to such a high function, we are naturally led to enquire what will give a lasting vitality and a universal influence to our tongue. "vVhat are its riches, in all that is really groat in thought? Now no one capable of judg- ing, requires any arguments to satisfy him that, our tongue is such in science and literature, as will make it an invaluable legacy to the world for all future ages. I may assume that, you are no strangers to the rich freightage with which this Argosy is so majestically sailing down the stream of time. No one denies that several other languages, as French and German, are also rich in thought ; but where shall wo look for any one, with such, a treasure of all that men hold to be useful and precious ? Wore I but to write the names of distinguished English authors, the list would swell to a volume. Nothing of this shall be attempted.. But as among David's many warriors, there were a, first three ; so do we find here also, a first throe. Persons of taste and culture, will anticipate me when I say, Shakespeare ; the English transla- tion of the Bible, and Milton stand out prominently. Of course I speak merely of the English of the translation. In this respect it is incomparably excellent. Language, the very highest in all qualities is embalried with thought, which will literally render it immortal. There is a period in every tongue, when it arrives Bt iiiaturity, for strength and precisian. Onr tonguo had reached this high iK)int, when tho translation of tho Bible w'as made. He who would deny this, would bring either his scholarship or can- dour into question, and not merely the men of our times but of tho latest ages, will bless God that Shakespeare and Milton laid down their thoughts in the noblest English that evor wan Hpoken. Indeed, I cannot but think, that wore nothing to remain in the language but these throe works — tho Translation, Shakespeare and Milton — tho language and tho thoughts would continue to instruct and delight men to the end of time. I indulge a fancy — let no man disturb it — that men will be reading Paradise Lost, and Hamlet, and tho '* wonderful works of God," in pure English, when the Angol shall be lifting up his hand and saying " Time is no more." But when we thus speak, of the universal dominion of the English language, it is needful to guard against misapprehensions. I do not mean that in its imperial reign it shall wholly eclipse tho minor dynasties of tongues, no ! Tho probability is that many of these shall continue still to exist, but occupy a very subordinate place. This maybe illustrated by what wo now see There are in England si^mo dozen of Patois dialects. It is no easy matter for the Yorkshire man to understand tho Cockney, nor tho Cockney tho peasant from Somersetshire, nor the man who only understands good English to rnderstand either of them. What I moan hy the allusion is — that other languages will remain, but will remain only as the obscure Patois of the worlds while English will become the grand medium for all the business of government, for commerce, for law, for science, for literatm-e, for philosophy, and divinity. Thus it will really be a universal language for the great material and spiritual interests of mankind. Such is the mighty task that seems to await it. But what of the Mistress that is to give effect to this great work. Great Britain is emphatically that mistress, and that she is really commissioned to teach a universal language to the world. There IS no need for aping a prophetic strain in this matter. I ask you simply to look at present appearances, and say, if these do not sufficiently foretell the future. Is not the teacher fairly seated for the high task. Are not the forms all placed, are not the classes i — tho nations — all assembling ? Do you not §«€ that I am in- dulging in no groundless, or vain prediction ; but that it rostB on tho strongest probability — that our English speech shall beeome the universal speech of all men. To make this plain I shall notice a few facts. Tho little boys and girls in our schools, will not bo very old men and women, ere they find themselves in tho midet of nearly two hundred millions of human beings on this continent, speaking the language in which they now lisp their tales. The mind is absolutely amazed in contemplating the multitude of the English speaking people, destined to inhabit North America. But theii language had its origin in Britain. This, however, is only one aspect of the nations that are gathering in to the English School. On the southern shores of Africa, another groat community is forming and rapidly swallowing up other languages. Then far away to tho south, Australia, and also Now Zealand, which has been called the Great Britain of the Pacific, aro rapidly growing into great peoples. Those territories, within the memory of living men, were strangers to our speech, and civilization. Now they are all vast communities, while some of them, have great cities and a wealthy population — all thinking, speaking, writing and printing the same language. But there is something more wonderful still, as to the learners of our tongue. It is known that, from an almost for- gotten language in India — the Sancrit, our Anglo Saxon speech, drew not a few of its primitive elements — but now, mark it ; the English at this day, bids fair to become the leading tongue of India. Men will soon not be able to sell a bale of cotton at Bom- bay, but in that tongue. Hundreds of schools, and many colleges are busily teaching it. A knowledge of it is decreed by the masters of the country to be indispensable, to a . the higher offices and places of trust. Not to speak of the singular moral material, which tho language carries, who, under these circumstances can doubt of its success. If Great Britain holds dominion in India for another hundred years, her speech and literature will bo as familiar in Calcutta, Madras, and Delhi ; as in London, Edinburgh, and Dublin. So much for tho prospects of the diffusion of our tongue. The heart from which has flown out, and which with a mightier impulse will still flow out, all these influences is that a little Island — that glorious home of oars. She sits m a mighty teacher — and while she sits in her matchless powers of political swpremacy, commerce, wealth and literature — taese influences will combine to Ctiffuse her language, with all the excellencies kindred to it throughout the whole world. II. Great Britain is teaching the world the true principles of religious tokration. This is a momentous and difficult ta^k, but btifore &ny discus- sion can be attempted on it ; it is needful that we settle the meaning of the term religion, as it is looked at by a wise govern- mout. It is plain, we can never arrive at any just notion on this, by asking is this man's religion true, or that ? Is this the only thing a government is to tolerate ? Eeligion ag it is has to be dealt with by government, is far more comprehensive No government, either can or ought to attempt to weigh the amount of truth, that lies in this or the other system of religion, in grant- ing it toleration. It is this, and this alone, which maices the vital point, with which the government has to deal ; is the religion, call it what you may, held conscientiously as a faith, by which men try to shape their moral course in life and in which they profess to find their sole comfort at death ? This is really the question, wi+li which the government has to do. But this, it may be replied when tried by right reason, and the high principles of a Divine Theology, may be a very wild system of opinions. No matter, if it be the system of a man's faith, it is his religion. He thinks the great God gave it to him, believes he will be held accountable for the use ho makes of it. Nov > suppose he really holds his system of faith under this light, what right has any government on earth to step in betwixt that man and his God, and tell him that he is not so to believe, or so to worship/ ■?> ithout pains and penalties ? But thit* is really what intolerance in this matter does. Now we aver that, the wildest system of belief embraces no principle more wild than this, and leads to no practices more monstrous. For observe, every religion that is sincerely pro- fessed, founds on conscience, and ia wrought out by conscience. When men, therefore are persecuted for their religion, they are persecuted for the dictates of conscience. This whole matter is , very simple and very awful— is man, speaking through an earthly government the Lord of the conscience ? Or is the great God its Lord ? Sophistry may mystify this, but never can answer it. If God holds the human conscience in his own hand, and has not delegated the power to control it, then the dictates of conscience are the most sacred things. To interfere with these in any other way, but by moral suasion is a usurpation of the prerogfvtives of the most high God, and a plain attempt to set aside his most essential authority. To God alone, man must ever be accountable for the faith he holds, and the worship he renders. But his faith may be a folly, and his worship an impiety. Is it not therefore the duty of a parental government to stop this folly, and end this impiety by tlie rack and the stake if nothing else can do it ? No — by the God of truth — no. Man is a rational creature and if the thuig desiderated — the change of his faith— cannot be done rationally, it of course never can be done accord- ing to the nature God has given liim. In the end, all persecutors are driven to the emplojonont of one instrumentality; sheer physical force. But mere brute force, arming itself with tortures never can reach the rational soul. Violent and malignant force is a mere dumb devil, which may rend and tear ; but can awaken no right feeling, teach no truth, and lead to no rational coui*8e of conduct. But, persecutors can at least silence men. Most true, they can do that, and have done it often enough. But then, what did they make of their living converts ? They made them foul hypocrites, never voluntary believers, even on tlieir own grounds. And if they had to silence men by death, icJio could not be con- verted, they deprived the country — a sad deprivation — of the only portion of its sincere and honest people. I am not so ill read as not to know what all persecutors say to this. They dislike the whole work of persecution exceedingly. Why not then a' andon it ? They cannot do that. By this very painful work, they seek the glory of God and the salvation of men. They seek the glory of God I Do they ? How ? By usurping his most sacred prero- gative ; the right to rule the human conscience. And they are seeking the salvation of souls — How ? By extinguishing the life of honest men,or by tui-ning the living into "whited sepulchres." This is surely doing evil with a ven'^eance that goo<' may tome. 10 But lot me guard you against mistakes here. There is a^ point where all enlightened toleration ends. When the thing called religion, is nothing more than baptized criminality — when it is so believed and professed, as in its very nature to entrench on the civil and natural rights of others ; then, the guardians of society must repel it. A religion that, in its very nature violates life, property or chastity, has no claims to toleration. No pre- tension to a divine origin, should so een any system of either Thuggism or Mormanism. That which strikes at the root of society, or aims at poisoning the essential well-being of mankind, clearly proves itself of hellish origin, and in alliance with him that was a murderer from the beginning. But to return — The fact is, that persecution for conscience sake is at once a monstrous crime, and a matchless folly. Great Britain now fully recognizes this. She ownes that it is not to mortal man that human beings are accountable for their belief, but to the God that made them, watches over them, and will judge them. If their faith be inoffensive to their neighbours, and their practice blameless, then they are to have th^. fullest tolera- tion. Than this, no principle can be more just, more plain, and on the whole more beneiicial to society. Yet, it was long ere even wise legislators fully learned this. Oliver Cromwell, one of the great fathers ofBritish liberty, seems to have been among the first, who had any true notion of the principle of liberty of conscience. And there is reason for believing that, had he been allowed fully the bent of his own mind, he would have ultimately given this precious^boon to all. But in this, as well as in other matters,he was a man that lived before his time. England for two generations after his death continued grievously to persecute her own children for conscience sake, and even so late as the middle of the last century men died for their religious opinions in France. Nor must we lay the ilattering unction to our souls, as if persecution were only found in connection with some hateful form of superstition. Persecution, if well thought of, will be found to be pride, malice and envy, nursed by fanatacism and put forth when occasion offers by the dominant party against the weaker. It has ev^r been thus since Cain slew his brother. It is by far the worst form that a h611i9h malignity takes in the strong warring against the weak. When the Arabian .'rophet f Jl drew his scimitar and declared that he would bathe it in the blood of all that did not receive the faith, he stood forth the perfect tj'pe of a persecutor. Believe this or die, was the brief and teiTible maxim. The church of Eome has often embodied this maxim in her practice. But now, we make the mournful confession that, Protestants have not been free from this stupid and detestable abomination. In their skirts also, have been found the blood of the innocent. But thank God, the simple truth of religious toleration has at length triumphed. And we say it, with a joyful boldness that, Great Britain is the first great power that has thoroughly learned and thoroughly practises the heavenly principle — of doing to others in this sacred matter " as we would have others do to us." — Bi'itain has not sheathed the sword of persecution — she has broken it on the alter of justice and charity. And now she pro- claims a perfect toleration, not only to all nominal christians ; but to all others. For there is not a religious opinion held among all her subjects, from the wildest Feticism up to the purest forms of Christianity, which is not fully tolerated* No man can iiiterfere with the rituals of a cathedral and its Bishop in his pontificals, nor with the minister going through his most simple service — no, nor with a set of heathen devotees bowing down to stocks and stones. All are alike, safe, for all are alike, protected by the great law of toleration. Nor is it fair to say, that all this is but the fruit of British indiffersncy, or infidelity. No : — infidelity when it has power on its side, and when its selfish ends seem to require it, is very loath to grant toleration. This should surprise no one. If persecution be the product of pride, malice end fanctticism, we need not wonder that, these find a congenial soil mthe heart of the infidel, and that when his power is opposed he will shew his fangs sur- charged with the poison of persecution. But no argument need be employed to meet this. The British Government is by no means an Infidel Government. A copy of the Bible is put into the Mnds of the Sovereign at the coronation. This, alas, has been often nothing more than a part of the pageant. Yet, it surely is something more than a feeble wish, or a fond surmise that the powerful and salutary lessons of that blessed Book, have been transfused through the conscience and heart of the highest 12 iii; m\ personage at present in the government. A beautiful thing occun'od some time ago. A black governor of Liberia had an audience of the Queen. He asked her Majesty, whence Great Britain drew her mighty power ? A Bible was lying on the table — on this she laid her hand and said— from this book, from this book. No, it is not infidelity, it is not indifferency that hath taught the British people to practice toleration. It is mere ignorance, or malice that says so. Alas, we know it well enough, that infidelity is rife in Britain, and that there are tens of thousands who care nothing about religion. Yet, among that noble people, are there not millions " who fear the Lord and call upon his name ?" And are there not many leading statesmen who have learned the great lessons of manliness, humility and piety from the Bible ? " To do justice and love mercy," is the real secret power of the toleration which Britain extends to her three hundred millions of people dwelling in all climes, speaking all languages, occupying all degrees of civilization and professing all known beliefs. What a glorious spectacle. It might be a sufficient answer to the charge of national infidelity, or indiffer- ency to point to what the British Nation is doing, for the conversion of the world to the true God. This people with their high toleration, contribute nearly as much as all the other christian nations, for the diffusion of the gospel throughout the world. They look with a very tender and fruitful pity on the millions who know not God, nor the Saviour. But then, they apply no force to bring about the conversion of any one man. Force is not indeed among their appliances. They appeal to their reason, their hearts and their consciences. The only instrument they apply, under the guidance of the spirit, is moral suasion. This is really the only force which man can employ for conver- sion, and it is that, and that alone, which is employed by the mightiest empire on earth. And then, look at the way in which Britain works this power I By millions she sends the Bible forth in all languages and to all lands. She has made herself the true Bible Home of the world. Again she sends her heralds of the cross forth by thousands to do the sublimest work, and to dare the hardest warfare that men ever encountered. Many of 13 them brave, learned, picas men, to die in their youth in un- healthy climes ; and some of them literally to be eaten by the savages they sought to convert. I say that this is grand — very grand — so much sympathy, so much labour, so many sacrifices, and all combined with the mosu genuine toleration. Onci word more— ^from no Spanish dungeon — from no Italian village, is the cry of the persecuted for conscience sake ever heard with indifferency. It thrills alike the hearts of the dwellers in palaces and in cottages. There may be great diflSculties in the way, but by some means or other, the moral influence of Britain is brought to bear upon the oppressors. Oh, it is most true, and one does like to see it — that the British heart is moved tb its depths when some poor man or woman dies for conscience sake in Cadiz, or Barletto. In a thousand different ways, she is the great teacher of toleration, in religion, often enough, does she teach it in tears, and with prayeis, but never altogether ineffectually. III. G-reat Britain teaches, that justice in yovernment is its great and sole strength for good. , Eights constitute justice. With these it has alone to deal^ Kence, if any human being could be found without either relative or essential rights ; then no injustice could be done to that man. Those who traffic in slaves really assume that principle. They say, the blacks have no rights, and we do them no wrong by enslav- ing them. It were to question your moral sense and under- standing, to attempt any reply to this. Justice, although no new idea — for it is as old as man ; yet, has received some of its most signal illustrations from the conduct of the British government. Justice being the preservation of rights, where they are possessed, and the restoring of them when taken away, will ever find abundant scope in our world. Indeed so thoroughly does it traverse all the affairs of men that, you will either find it — or find the want of it — in every human transaction. It is the basis of all order, prosperity and peace in the family. It reigns in all courts called courts of Justice, or they become the most frightftil dens of iniquity. Yet, no one needs to be told that Hs grandest field — for there it can do most good — is in the government of a 1 1 1 SI I ^f 14 great country. A powerful government without justice is a striking image of the dominion of Pandemonium. One rejoices that this cannot continue very long on earth, else, the annihila- tion of the species would be the infallible result. God does not intend this-r-hence, by a wise sirrangement he has so ordered it — that extreme injustice produces sooner or later the revenge called a " wild justice," which checks and overpowers injustice in a way, and matters are thus partly righted, so that the world goes on after a sort. But let the tears, the unrewarded toils, the woes and the blood men shed like water tell — for no words can tell — what injustice has done to poor suffering humanity. I again must throw myself upon your knowledge — especially your knowledge of history, for illustrations of this. For alas, what is the greater part of history, but a foul catalogue of the injustice of governments. That of Great Britain in past ages is no exception. For instance, how grievously did she oppress Ireland for hundreds of years ? It is as painful to think of this, as it is joyful to know, that the noblest manifestations of justice are now seen in that land. Nothing but the sheerest ignorance, or the most unmitigated malignity can deny this. For more than a generation justice has emphatically been done to Ireland. It were, however, vain to deny, that injustice was the normal and chronic condition of Great Britain for long ages. If she had a Prince — and there were a few — ^who sought to do justice, his life was rendered miserable by subtle and reckless statesmen, who sur- rounded and haunted him, all eagerly bent on acts of oppression and knavery. Again and again when reading these narratives of injustice and cruelty, I have thrown down the history of England with intense loathing. It was a marvel that the nation survived it ; yet it someway lived through it all. God willed it so, that it should not die — choked with injustice. For the time was to come, when out of this confiision should come order, fmd out of this hideous deformity should arise the most splendid justice. Great things were in store to be developed by the British people. A bright day has dawned and now shines efliil- gently. The Phenix has arisen from its ashes. But here it is needful that, I should say once for all, that when I mention the justice of the British government, I mean mVjji tfai 'i'.-i*. .Jisn!f."wi" 15 tice is a e rejoices annihila- does not ^ered it — ige called in a way, I goes on the woes an tell — specially For alas, e of the it ages is oppress )f this, as stice are [•ance, or e than a It were, chronic Mnce — life was ^ho sur- jression rratives 'tory of nation '^illed it le time er, find jlendid by the eflul- )1, that !mean inclusive of that the just heart of the British people. I do mean, and have all along meant through this discassion that, John Bull has essentially a just heart and an honest conscience. It is most true, he stutters out at times a blundering piece of nonsense, or seeming injustice through his organs of speech — his Parliament and Press — ^yet when you lay your hand on his heart, youc find no spasms — no indications of heart disease, but a full healt*hy beat of just and honest intentions. Nor should it escape notice that, these are very extensive and go very far. He is just to his friends and just to his foes ; just to the great and powerful and very just to the weak and (^pressed. This is truly noble. For while the heart of a great people is just and wise under a repre- sentative government, things cannot go far wrong. Yet I do by no moans think that this justice is perfect. There is no perfectly just man, far less a perfectly just government. "What I plead for is, that the highest examplification of public justice is to be found in that government, and among that people. Indeed, there is so much of the popular voice now heard in the government of Great Britain, that the sense of justice in the people must come out in the acts of the government. But the extension of the franchise, must, by no means be regarded as the commencement of the reign of justice in the government. Long before that event this national characteristic was strongly felt. Had it not been so, instead of a Eeform Bill there would h"ve been a wild and bloody revolution. Still it is very worthy of notice that, the large infusion of the popular element has not lessened, but >*reatly strength, ened a sense of justice in the legislature, jthis clearly proves that the h£art of the people, when the thiiig on which they act is fully known, is just. But now in order to bring out clearly what is meant by Biitish justice, I delect a few instances for illustration. 1. The stoppage of the slave trade. For many yeai's, like other maritime nations, Great Britian took part in this traflOic, and shared largely in its profits. I need not dwell on the enormities of the slave trade. It is enough to Bzy that, in the whole history of. human crimes there is nothing more flagrantly unjust. It tore human beings from their native land without the least shadow of any offence, committed by them. \ 1 ■ l) i;; 1- 16 It crammed them into the holds of ships to endure unutterable woes, and as many as lived through the middle passage, were then sold into unmitigated slavery. This was really not the business of men, but a trade fit for incarnate fiends. It is strange that a christian people, should long have endured the enormity. Thej» endured it just because they did not know it — because their minds dwelt not on its heinous injustice. But no sooner was the majestic iniquity unveiled to them, than their hearts revolted at the frightful thing. It was like the opening of hell to the sight of beings, whose conscience tells them that they have done some- thing to fill it. A loud and indignant cry was heard all over the land, that this iniquity must cease — that this iniquity must be abolished. But our trade — ^yos our trade— what of that ? It will surely be injured, cried many thoughtless and wicked shipowners and politicans. Other nations will continue the traffic, said these men — and gain all the profit. Let trade perish — let other nations make out of this trade what they may, we shall end it — we shall shake our skirts clear of it, cried the voice of an indignant and just people. And so they ended it, and a great act of national justice was done, and of niercy to the helpless. But justice may be done, and conscience looking back on old crimes may be ill at ease. A noble supplement to this act, or rather two were to follow, before the conscience of the British people could be satisfied. The trafiic in slaves, as still carried on by other nations, must, if possible, be stopped. Great Britain appealed earnestly to prin- ciples and honor, but found little response. She then set to work to buy off those engaged in the traffic. For this she gave millions to Spain alone. She brought up the matter at European Congresses, and urged it earnestly and as far as she could entered into treaties with all the maritime powers to end the horrid traffic. And finally — for I roust forbear — she placed her ships as guardian angels all along the west coast of Africa, to prevent the poor Negro from being dragged into hopeless slavery. But I now come to the second instance of what I call the other supplement to the clearing of the conscience of the British people. The abolition of slavery so far, did not free them entirely from this great infamy. The people came to see that, the evil still lay at their door in a very monstrous form ; while T ease. bllow, tisfied. must, prin- work IT the nogi'o was still held in bondage in the colonies. Th6 great voice of the people was again heard, and the cry was — Let all the oppressed forevi^r go free. But justice, never works at cross purposes, nor suicidally destroys itself. If the slave had his rights, so had the planters. They held their slaves by the sanction of the government. It no doubt had the power to A^u:e every slave free, at least in the crown colonies. But this would have been manifest injustice. Burdened with an enormous debt and greatly oppressed with taxes, the British people, as an o^t of j'stice, agreed to pay for the manumission of every slave in her woxld wide dominions. Men of other nations did not know what tc make of this. Indeed, they made everything of it which selfishness could guess at, but the right thing — an act of sacred justice to all parties. The act was absolutely too grcTid for the clearest sighted politicians that go by expediency. It Tas such an act of self denying justice, as will be sought for in vain in the annals of the world. You cannot do it — it is mere romance — you cannot emancipate your slaves* You cannot afford the expense, and besides, you will destroy your sugar colonies and do all other kinds of mischief — cried many heartless and selfish opponents of the scheme. But all this, whether truth or ff».lsehood had to be set aside, simply because eternal justice forbade its being listened to. Eternal justice said, do the right thing. J>o your duty, let the oppressed go free and pay the twenty millions. The people listened to this and paid it. And the thing was done, and not a slave was found throughout the whole Empire. But what unjust and selfish men saw and could not understand. Angels saw and understood it well, and rejoiced over it, and God approved it ; and the British people went to bed that night and slept as men do, who have axlear conscience. Many nations have equalled Britain in arma^knd many have surpassed here in diplomacy ; but here is a thing the like of which was never done by any of them. in. — The affairs of the Trent also shewed that the British Government makes justice its grand principle. War is now, and has been for a long time very hateful to Britain. Partly because she is a highly commercial country ; but chiefly because war is the most irrational way of patting 18 T matters to right when they have gone wrong. But rrftieh as she hatea war, she was prepared for it with all its consoquonees? a few yearw ago on what has been called the Trent aftair. It happened in this wise — Two southern commissioners wish^ to go to Europe, They had taken pawsage on a British trajipng steamer, called the Trent. This vessel v.'as waylaid bj-- an American ship of war, and the Commissioners were taken. Great wore the rejoicings, and many were the high flown com- pliments paid to the bold captain who was not afraid to take the British Lion by the beard. Loud boastings and throats were heard on all hands through the Northern States. But all this had soon to take end. Great Britain had no special love for these commissioners, nor their cause, nor indeed had she any reason. These men had most villainously abused her on the ques- tion of slavery. But then, they were taken from one of her trading vessels, in violation of the plainest laws of nations, and of course in violation of justice. There was no hesitation as to what should bo done. The order was calmly but peremptorily given — these men must be set at liberty. Hatred and amazement filled the whole Northern States. A cry of astonishment was heard — will Great Britain go to war for two men who have always hated her and abused her ? Yes, she will ; for these two or any two in like circumstances. For as a British statesman remarked, she would do the very same thing for two of their slaves unjustly taken from one of her ships. Wo can all remember — and it was right noble how the whole empii-e arose and shook itself, putting its fleets and armies in motion, and awaited the issue of war, on the sole principle that injustice cannot pass unpunished. Nor is this a solitary instance of the kind. She has on more than one occasion drawn the sword for individuals whoso rightwS were emperillofll^ with her own, and when justice required, that she should stand up for the defenceless. It was once said, impiously enough, that God is always on the side that has most cannon and cavalry. Not so — God is really on the side of the nation that has most of justice, and never fights but in a just cause. His power often seems slack in sustaining justice, or it comes in circuitous ways that the unjust dream not of. But come it will, and who can abide its coming. I shall now for a very brief space illustrate British justice in reference to her ludian Empire. € T it WilH n more rights d, that said, 8 most of the a just 1» The time I intend to occupy on thin will bo most inadequate to the subject. How has the Indian Empire grown up to it« present majestic dimensions? Momentous question — fur there are at present nearly two hundred millions thatacknowledgo the sway of Great Britain in the East. To a great extent tiiese are not savages, nor uncultured men. They had a high civilization, when Britain was inhabited by a few wild tribes. It is true, their civilization never possessed the vigour of a pure morality. In this it was, and is sadly defective; as the Sepoy revolt fear, fully demonstrated. Their civilization then does not account for their submission to a power on the other side of the Globe. Does their want of military skill account for it ? neither answer is satisfactory. They hate and fear the authority to which they bow, and they fear and hate it all the more for the justice which is the real secret of that seemin£;ly mysterious power, by which they are held in lawful subjection. Nothing wore more silly I ban to ask — if British justice be so great, why does she not retire and leave all these myriads to themselves ? She cannot retire, cMther with honor or conscience. She has been called to India lor mighty purpose.-?. God will not let her retire till she ha," accomplished her 'kstiny there. She has to attend as physician to a people who wore sinking into the decrepitude of a worn-out civilization, w^ith all the inhei-ent vices of the worst forms of Paganism. God has placed her in India, to infuse the principles oi' justice and morality into the minds of the peojile. But how does she hold her place, for this mighty task among these vast multitudes ? No doubt the sword is employed " as a terror to evil-doers." But the basis of British power in India is justice- Alas ! there is no honest and well read man, but will blush when he thinks of the injustice that has been perpetrated by English- men in India. And yet, no well-read man needs to bliisli when he thinks that British justice has ever nobly awoko and demanded that right should be done, when the British pe(>ple came fully to know that, their servants had been false, unjust, and cruel, ^ these servants met with due reprehension. But, I speak not of the past — for really there is no more childish, pettish, and what may prove insane conduct, than that criticism which indulges in carping at the unjust deeds of govern, ments, when all these have been thoroughly amended. In India 20 —.-.• at tho present day, there is a groat diHplay of juBtico. Thin ia the true secret of the power that, with a firm but kindly grawp, holds in subjection the Eastern Empire. I have no time for details here. Yet, when we think of tho numberless tribes, the diverse religions, the civil institutions, the subtilty of tho natives and the energy of a vast number of them — and when wo reflect that, all this order of things or rather disorder is placed at the other side of the globe ; no intelligent and candid man can fail to see that something far other than physical force rules in .India. No doubt physical force has its place there, but that rests on a basis of broad and well defined justice. This with a few thousands of these Islanders, holds that viist country in peace and in order, an