Transcribed from the 1851 Religious Tract Society edition byDavid Price. Many thanks to the Royal Borough of Kensingtonand Chelsea, Local Studies, for allowing their copy to be usedfor this transcription.
A BOOK FOR THEEXHIBITION.
BYTHE
REV. JOHN STOUGHTON.
Humanigeneris progressus,
Ex communi omnium labore ortus,
Uniuscujusque industriæ debet esse finis:
Hoc adjuvando,
Dei optimi maximi voluntatem exsequimur.Theprogress of the human race,
Resulting from the common labour of all men,
Ought to be the final object of the exertion of eachindividual.
In promoting this end,
We are carrying out the will of the great and blessed God.
LONDON:
THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY,
DEPOSITORY, 56, PATERNOSTER-ROW, AND 65,ST. PAUL’S
CHURCHYARD.
1851.
The Writer of the following pageshas, from the first announcement of the project, taken a sunnyview of the nature and tendency of the Great Exhibition. Originating in the disinterested suggestions of the IllustriousPrince Consort—designed and adapted to promote theinterests of art and commerce, and the fellowship ofnations—supported by persons, who, in addition to thedistinctions of rank or wealth, are remarkable for knowledge,benevolence, and piety—promoted generally from a desire toadvance the welfare of our country and mankind—responded tovery extensively abroad as well as at home with manifestcordiality and good will—and calling forth and securing theprayers of Christians in reference to the undertaking—itappeared to the Author to warrant cheering and hopefulanticipations. The wonderful scene on the day ofopening—as must have been felt by those who have read thegraphic descriptions of it in the public prints, and especiallyby those who were privileged to behold that p. viunprecedentedspectacle—was of a character to strengthen favourableexpectations of the result of the enterprise. The order,harmony, and mutual kindness manifested by the vast multitude onthat occasion—the moral impression which it certainly madeon many—and the religious element introduced into theaugust ceremonial, evidently awakening sympathy in thousands ofhearts which then beat with strange emotion—surely may beregarded as tokens for good!
The Author is far from intending to assume a tone of confidentprediction—remembering that only the Infinite and All-wiseOne can embrace the entire bearings and tendencies of humanevents—but he may be allowed to confess, that while he doesnot overlook the incidental evils to which such a vast gatheringof the people may give rise, his hopes decidedly predominate overhis fears. The following pages, expressive of thoughts andfeelings which are pervaded by the spirit thus indicated, are nowcommended to the candid attention of the reader, with an earnestprayer for the Divine blessing on their perusal.
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