those who, whether right or wrong, certainly are most loud and dogmatic in their tone. It is possible, that by calmly taking our stand on a principle which has but few supporters, we may find ourselves, though we appear to stand alone on earth, in holy fellowship with the clear-eyed watchers of all earth’s transactions, who bend over heaven’s blue cope to regard us, and with the God of truth and love. Therefore let us watch and pray while we thoughtfully consider this question, for it is a solemn matter, and affects the weal of the Church and the world, and our own with them, far more deeply than at first appears. Before entering on the argument, I may be allowed to state, in a few words, the reasons which have induced me to place my thoughts upon this subject before the public. At the last meeting of the Congregational Union, I took occasion to state my objection to a proposed petition from the meeting against the opening of the Crystal Palace on the Lord’s day. I was, at the time, wholly unsupported, but have since found reason to believe that there was a large amount of hearty and intelligent sympathy with my objections which did not express itself. I wrote to the editor of the _British Banner_, stating the fact, and developing more fully my views. Since the publication of my letter, I have been subjected, in the pages of religious papers, to misconstructions and misrepresentations, especially from anonymous correspondents. This was, of course, to be expected; but hardly, perhaps, the singular want of comprehension, both of my views and of their own, which some of the letter-writers displayed. Having an intense dislike to a newspaper warfare, I felt it due to myself and many of my brethren to state calmly my views, and to advocate them to the best of my ability. Whence this address to Christian people, which I offer with sincerity and earnestness, trusting to their Christian charity and candour to give a fair consideration to the principles and conclusions which it sets forth. I have thrown my argument into the form of an address, which, for many reasons, I prefer. The question to be considered in the following pages is this:—“Is it wise and right for us, as Christians, to offer any opposition to the opening of the Crystal Palace during a portion of the Lord’s day?” I trust that all into whose hands this may come, are of one mind as to the value and importance of the Sabbath. But there are those who take the negative on this question, who are as loyal to the Sabbath, as honestly desirous to have it better and more extensively observed, as the straitest of those who have set themselves forth as its special defenders. In making this clear, it will be needful to examine the views of the great parties who have expressed themselves against interference in this matter, but on grounds with which I cannot accord.