Talk of the _dark places of the earth_, where can more devoted worshippers of BACCHUS or of Mammon be found than in this collection of Towns, called LONDON? HERE are Idols as real, sacrifices as hideous and mischievous as any in a heathen land.
I can understand the opposition of the Romanists to this gracious Act. The Romish system cannot bear the light of intelligence: Priests of that faith don’t want their people to know too much, or to get as high as the generalities of history, or the speculations of philosophy, but YOU, the Clergy of the Church of England, that Church which will stand or fall, as it meets the requirements of this progressive age, have no interest whatever in keeping the Key of Knowledge to yourselves. Recollect St. Marylebone has a disgrace to retrieve, a character to redeem. Believe me it is a discredit to your large Parish to be without a Public Library. Vote for the adoption of this Act, and you reduce the Poor rate, you reduce crime, and simplify the policeman’s duty, and above all you bridge over the gulf that separates classes. Your cordial sympathy cannot be withheld from a Proposal of this description.
“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth glad tidings, that publisheth PEACE!” You who promulgate “PEACE on earth, GOOD WILL TOWARDS MEN,” cannot carelessly regard this beneficent project. You cannot be more usefully engaged than in promoting a scheme that enlarges the means of instruction, and widens the field of economical and sanitary science. Your senses cannot be quite dazzled by the pomps and vanities of exclusive Rifle Corps, trained to fire at imaginary foes. You cannot allow this fair land to be invaded by an enemy so real and fatal as IGNORANCE. You will not forget what it is that makes one man wiser, or more virtuous than another, and what it is that constitutes the difference between one man and another? You well know what it is that makes them what they are, good or evil, useful or not. You well know that it is EDUCATION which makes the great difference in mankind. { 24} You are too sagacious to slight, or separate yourselves from the only feasible, enduring plan for the innocent RECREATION and instruction of the people. You are aware that all work and no innocent AMUSEMENT, has been productive of the worst results. You are aware that Music is a powerful agent in the promotion of refinement and civilization, and that after a long day of toil, a man has need of relaxations other than books. Knowing this, you will, I hope, gladly respond to the appeal, and strengthen the hands of St. Margaret and St. John.