Yes, hold up your hands for the adoption of the Libraries Act, and in the hour of death, when the world and its allurements are receding from your view, when alone and deserted by your so-called friends, how it will console you in that solemn moment to be sensible that you have obeyed the voice of HIM who spake as never man spoke, that you gladly took the advice of your ASCENDED LORD to “make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness.” Ah! think of eyes so young, obscured, and darkened by tears, that you will thus make clear and glad! On your vote the question may be determined, and the hour has struck when you should be leaders, and not the slaves, of opinion. It is meet and right that you should LEAD in a cause which promotes EARLY CLOSING, and which would confer in other ways a real and enduring benefit on your Parish. Hear the fine thoughts of Festus and treasure them in your memories. “Grant this we pray Thee, and that all who read, Or utter noble thoughts may make them theirs, And thank God for them, to the betterment Of their succeeding life;—that all who lead The general sense and taste, too apt, perchance, To be led, keep in mind the mighty good They may achieve, and are in conscience, bound, And duty, to attempt unceasingly, To compass. Grant us, all-maintaining Sire! That all the great mechanic aids to toil Man’s skill hath formed, found, rendered,—whether used In multiplying works of mind, or aught To obviate the thousand wants of life, May much avail the human welfare now, And in all ages henceforth, and for ever. Let their effect be, Lord! to LIGHTEN LABOUR, And give more room to mind, and leave the Poor Some time for SELF-IMPROVEMENT. Let them not Be forced to grind the bones out of their arms For bread, but have some space to think and feel Like moral and immortal creatures. Look Thou with pity on all lesser crimes, Thrust on men almost when devoured by want, Wretchedness, ignorance and outcast life! Have mercy on the rich, too, who pass by The means they have at hand to fill their minds With serviceable knowledge for themselves, And fellows, and support not the good cause Of the world’s better future! May Peace, and Industry, and Commerce weld Into one Land all Nations of the World, Rewedding those the Deluge once divorced. Oh! may all help each other in good things, Mentally, morally, and bodily. Vouchsafe, kind God! Thy blessing to this Isle, Specially. May ENGLAND _ever lead_ THE WORLD, for She is worthiest; and may all Profit by her example, and adopt Her course, wherever great, or free, or just.”