Now England has hitherto been remarkable for her outward observance of the LORD’S day. The entire cessation from business—the quiet streets—the orderly inhabitants—the well-filled churches, in our large towns—the village bells breaking the stillness of the Sabbath morning, and in every place calling the rich and poor alike to the House of their common LORD—have marked us out, pre-eminently, as a nation fearing GOD. And it must be a source of deep regret and alarm to every Christian man, and, indeed, to every man who values aright the national peace and prosperity which the blessing of GOD has secured to this kingdom, that an attempt is being made, and that too of a most determined character, to infringe the sanctity of the Sabbath, and to obtain the repeal of the law which enforces its strict observance. Far be it from me to wish that the Sabbath should be made a day of painful and irksome restraint; that the hardworked artisan should be denied the enjoyment of such innocent recreation as the day will allow; that the times should be revived in this country, when every man should be compelled to attend his Parish Church on pain of fine or imprisonment; but I would use every means in my power to maintain those wise and righteous regulations which a Christian government has made respecting its observance. I believe it to be the duty of the clergy of the Church of England to speak openly and plainly upon the subject, and to use all the influence of their station and office to prevent the commission of this great national sin. And I trust I may be excused in entering into details, which will not, I hope, be deemed inappropriate to the time and occasion on which we are met together. I will state them very briefly. You are aware that the building of the Great Exhibition, which was held in London, in the summer of 1851, has been removed to a distance from the city, and converted into a kind of winter garden and museum. Many of you have seen the building, which is capable of containing nearly a hundred thousand persons; and it is proposed to admit the public to it on Sundays by the payment of money. This is at present illegal by Act of Parliament, no places of public amusement, the admission to which is by money, being allowed to remain open on that day. A petition will shortly be presented to Parliament, praying for the repeal of that Act. A gentleman of considerable eminence and ability, who is officially connected with this movement, is about to visit the large towns of England, for the purpose of advocating the subject, and obtaining signatures in favour of it—chiefly from the working classes; and he will very probably visit this town.