INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT. 15 moral influence of the case) in raising the unfinished walls. Providence has given us the opportunity. Impressed with the desirableness of seizing it with promptitude, I have felt that it would be a work in accordance with the best feelings of my Congregational brethren (Independent and Baptist) to bring the subject once more before their notice. What, then, are the facts of the case as it now stands? The Memorial Hall, erected in Buckenham Square, is complete, and is used for the purposes of the church there assembling; while the School-room beneath is occupied by an interesting Sabbath-school, numbering some one hundred and sixty children. Both buildings are occupied to the extent of accommodation afforded. The church members are gradually increasing in number, and there exists a cheering spirit of unanimity. The feeling of interest in the neighbourhood is also encouraging, as the writer of these lines can testify. The undertaking stands now quite free from debt, liability, complication, or embarrassment. All outstanding accounts have been paid, the building covenants on which the ground is held have been satisfied, and the foundations of the whole structure are put in. The sole remaining difficulty-if such it can be termed—is a pecuniary one. This might be removed in a week, if the Congregational body were alive to the importance of the object and the dignity of their position 16 INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT. with reference thereto. The elegant design which has been partially erected (vide frontispiece) should, without further delay, be completed. To use Mr. Binney's words, "let the work be done, and done well. Let ministers and deacons, the members of our many churches and congregations, all to whom Truth and Liberty are dear, let them patronize the object, and put a brick in the building." The occasion is not one for the exercise of a niggard economy, and honour to those who have already contributed forbids that any material deviation in plan be entertained. The erection, which in future ages will be visited by the descendants of the Pilgrims from across the Atlantic, should be worthy of those whom it commemorates, and of the twin countries in connection with which it will stand as a connectinglink. Our Transatlantic brethren are expending £40,000 on the erection of the "Plymouth Memorial." Shall it be said that we cannot raise, or care not to raise, less than a tithe of that sum to complete a memorial dedicated to the same sacred and eternal principles? It is estimated that some £3500 will complete the memorial building. The sums already promised by a few friends in London, and the grant voted by the London Chapel Building Society will provide about £500. Say, then, that £3000 is the amount now required of the great Congregational body in England and Wales as a thank-offering for the inestimable privilege of "FREE INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT. 17 DOM TO WORSHIP GOD," obtained for them by the patient and persistent endurance, even unto death, of the confessors and martyrs whose names and principles it is proposed to hand down to an admiring posterity. This sum will not amount, on an average, to fifty shillings per church, and many of them would be ashamed to contribute so small a sum as five times that amount. Shall the thing be done, and the reproach of indifference be swept away? Shall it result from this and former humble efforts to throw light upon and excite interest in this subject that, by a general co-operation, the projected memorial be removed from the category in which it now stands? reminding us unpleasantly of the illustration of our Lord: “Which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether ye have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish."+ But, in place of arousing the amour propre of the denomination, I prefer greatly to appeal to those grateful feelings, which a little reflection on their past history * A set of twelve large pictures or diagrams on the Pilgrim Fathers has been recently published, and the compiler has also published a lecture to accompany them (vide advertisement at end). Dr. Waddington has likewise, at the solicitation of American friends, prepared a volume for distribution through their churches, entitled "The Track of the Hidden Church; or, the Springs of the Pilgrim Movement, from A.D. 1559 to 1620." This work is ready in America, and will shortly be attainable in London. + Luke xiv. 28-30. 18 INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT. will not fail to excite-feelings which have furnished inspiration to the Poets whose "lays" I have selected for publication in the following pages. "Oh! many a time it hath been told, The story of those men of old : For them fair Poetry hath wreathed Her sweetest, fairest flower; For them proud Eloquence hath breathed Twine, GRATITUDE, a wreath for them, More deathless than the diadem; Who, to life's noblest end, Gave up life's noblest powers, DOWN, DOWN TO US AND OURS." The following Gentlemen have consented to act as Trustees and joint Treasurers of Funds contributed for the Completion of the Memorial. These funds will be held in reserve until the structure can be finished in accordance with the original design, and to the satisfaction of the London Chapel Building Society: BENJAMIN SCOTT, Esq., Chamberlain, London. Trustees. |