proceedings. Whilst those Christians who may not need our instructions will, we hope, seek to aid in our efforts for the advantage of others. We cannot sufficiently express our gratitude for the kindness and hospitality everywhere afforded us, in our various excursions on "THE MISSION," which we hope, from additional experience, to render more useful by tongue and pen. Since the Cowper-street Discussion we have addressed audiences amounting to not less than seventy-six thousand, and, by the time this is before the reader, shall have addressed several additional thousands. The record of such meetings, the impression produced, the questions elicited, and the answers returned, (to which we shall give a more careful record,) will, we hope, be interesting and useful to many, whilst the direct statement of practical truths will add to the value of this Periodical, and render it worthy of that wider circulation towards which it is steadily advancing. Nov. 25th, 1853. BREWIN GRANT. CHRIST'S RELIGION— CONTENTS. The Elevation of the Working Classes-what it means, and how attained. A Lecture to the Working Classes by the Rev. J. Spence, M.A....... Mr. Holyoake and the Rev. J. A. James...... Christian Responsibility; versus, Infidel Doctrines. The Doctrine of Cir- cumstances, as taught by Mr. Holyoake, shewn to be False in Prin- Paul the Debater: the Mission of the Working Classes. The substance The Social Theories and Religious Opinions of the Working Classes. A Lecture to the Working Classes by the Rev. J. Spence, M.A. Christianity, neither a Dream nor a Lie. A Lecture to the Working Christianity Genial in Spirit and Social in Tendency. A Lecture to the Christianity's Past, an Earnest of its Future. A Lecture to the Working The Difficulties and Temptations of the Working Classes. A Lecture to Christianity's High Places, offered to the Workers. A Lecture to the INFIDELS' RELIGION- The Bigotry of Freethinkers; or, the Professions of Secularism, that it Conversation (on the Cowper-street Discussion) between Mr. G. J. Holy- Mr. Charles Southwell's Extraordinary Appearance at the Rev. Brewin Grant's Lecture at Rochdale Town Hall, April 20th ... Black Ones and White Ones, by Holyoake and Co.; or, Secular Tactics, and the "Personalities of the Cowper-street Debate" Mr. Charles Southwell again.................. 180, 203, 229 253 Robert Cooper, the Infidel Text-Book Man, caught at Blackburn 273 Answer to G. J. Holyoake's "Logic of Death; or, Why should the Atheist BROWN, Rev. A. MORTON, LL.D. Wellington and Victory; or, Christians CHEW, SAUNDERS J. Mr. G. J. Holyoake Refuted in his own words...... Compared with Christianity HALL, Rev. NEWMAN, B.A. Wellington and War HINTON, JOHN HOWARD, M.A. The Case of the Manchester Educationists HINTON, Rev. J. H., M.A. Secular Tracts...... PELLY, JOHN. Twenty Plain Sermons, on the principal Doctrines of the RUTHERFORD, JOHN H. The Evangelical Hymn Book 120 144 SCOTT, BENJAMIN. Lectures on the Catacombs at Rome.. 143 I. CHRIST'S RELIGION. “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good."-1 THESS. v. 21. THE ELEVATION OF THE WORKING CLASSES-WHAT IT MEANS, AND HOW IT IS ATTAINED. [The following Lecture is the substance of the fourth in a course, delivered by the Rev. James Spence, M A., of Preston: though it is the last of Mr. Spence's course, it is suitable for our first article, and is happily introduced when from diminished price, THE BIBLE AND THE PEOPLE is brought within the reach of the poorest. We by no means imagine, that the working classes, as a whole, are either alienated from religion, or from their own self-cultivation; but the party amongst the working classes, who assume to be the masses, and who are, by their leaders, flattered as "the people," but (whom we are discovering to be a minority in every meeting of the working classes,) these may be especially benefitted by Mr. Spence's suggestions; and may learn, (as they are beginning to learn,) who are their real friends, as well as how they may befriend themselves, which is a very valuable and needful lesson.*-EDITOR.] FRIENDS AND FELLOW-TOWNSMEN! The subject on which I have to address you to-night is a somewhat general one "The elevation of the working classes-what it means, and how it is attained." It will be a general gathering up of the fragments which have been left and the remarks which have been made in the preceding lectures. And, first of all, the inquiry arises, what is meant by the elevation of the working classes? It is a thing that is much talked of and agitated at the present day-one in which many seem to be interested, and it is important for us to have a distinct and true idea of its import. Now there are two great errors which pervade most of those theories of which I spoke to you last week-the theories which are generally entertained by working men themselves regarding their own elevation. They look at human nature in disjointed or separate parts; and they look at man's lower rather than at his higher interests-at his body rather than the mind or soul. Theories based on these errors, or admitting one or other We may be able to present our readers with the substance of the other Lectures, in subsequent numbers. We have since learned, that Mr. Spence will be kind enough to revise the other Lectures for The Bible and the People. B of these elements, will most evidently come short. What is man? Is he only a being with animal instincts and appetites? Is he only a machine fitted for bodily toil? Has he no interests beyond those which are seen and present ? The proper theory of elevation is that alone which looks at all the aspects of the working man's nature and condition, and which seeks his moral and intellectual as well as his social and political advancement. There must not be a one-sided view of this matter. The kind of elevation needful is elevation in every respect. It is not political alone, nor intellectual alone, nor social alone, but all these features together an advancement which comprehends all, the only basis of which can be morality and intelligence. Suppose all the operatives in the country had political power and the right to vote for members of parliament, would that make them kinder husbands, or better fathers, or more skilful workmen? Suppose they could all read, and write, and cypher a little, would that alone destroy intemperance, and check the evils of improvidence? You cannot think so. The elevation of your condition is the advancement of your humanity in all its aspects and circumstances. The true elevation of the people consists in nothing merely outward. It must begin with yourselves. I would see the working man rising to realize all the dignified elements of his manhood-conscious that he possesses a noble soul, attending to the attributes of his mind, and growing in intelligence. I would see the working man advancing in temporal prosperity, enjoying means by which he may obtain some of those things which minister to the comfort of this earthly life, and with no prospect of the workhouse, even should trade for a time be dull. I would see the working man in a comfortable dwelling, well lighted, ventilated, and drained, removed far above the fever mark, and supplied with all that can make his fireside clean and cheerful. I would see all the working men kind fathers, sons, and husbands, blessed with all the ties which a happy home can throw around them. I should like to see the working man enjoy all the political rights and privileges which are his due, and his importance to the state fully and gratefully acknowledged. Above all, I should like to see the operative classes of this country rising in the majesty of moral worth-betoken their power of self-control-banishing vice from the precincts of their soul and homes, and bidding virtue welcome. I should like to see the operative on every side of me rise as a workman, as a neighbour, as a citizen, as a subject: but above all, I should like to see him rise as man possessed of an intellectual and moral nature, and with an endless destiny before him. Rest assured, my friends, this is the true theory of your elevation. Morality must be its foundation-and this must begin with you. Ignorance is not the only source of degradation— the want of the franchise is not the only cause of misery among you; there are other causes which must be checked and crushed before you can fully rise. Lay the foundation in yourselves-in your habits-in your morals and no power of opposition can keep you back from mounting in the social scale. This, in fact, would disarm opposition from any quarter, and destroy prejudice. Just contemplate for a moment the progress which has been made during the last one hundred and fifty or two hundred years in the condition of the working classes in this country. The wages of operatives were then, on the whole, not more than one half |