Opening
[Picture: Public domain pamphlet cover]
A FEW LINES
Against opening the Crystal Palace
ON
THE SABBATH DAY.
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BY JOHN ELWIN WRENCH.
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LONDON: JOHN FARQUHAR SHAW, 27, SOUTHAMPTON ROW; AND 21, PATERNOSTER ROW.
1853.
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LONDON: WALTON AND MITCHELL, PRINTERS, 24, WARDOUR STREET.
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A FEW LINES AGAINST OPENING THE CRYSTAL PALACE ON THE SABBATH DAY.
I
Chiming from the old church tow’r ’Tis the Sabbath bell I hear; Welcome is the sound to me; Welcome to the Christian’s ear.
II
Think not lightly of its knell! Let devotion fill each heart, Sacred let this day be kept; For our God ’tis set apart.
III
Ye who work for daily bread, Cease from toil with one accord,— Is one day too much to give, To the service of the Lord?
IV
Though a Crystal Palace rears High o’er Sydenham’s plain her head; Destin’d, may we hope at least, Blessings o’er our land to shed.
V
Echo’d though thy wealth shall be, Monument of England’s fame! Shining forth in all thy pride, Worthy of a Paxton’s name.
VI
Yet Oh! never deem this spot, Fitting place for Sabbath rest: Can a sinner seek his God, ’Midst rev’lry and idle jest?
VII
Is it there, the weary soul, Rack’d with care and aching woes, Can with penitence to God, Ask for mercy and repose?
VIII
Is it there, the sinless child, On the Sabbath eve should stray;— Can it there, untainted still Bend its tiny knee to pray?
IX
Oh! ’tis there, its glowing cheek Will, amidst the worldling’s din, Receive, unconscious tho’ it be, The first stain of mortal sin.
X
But forbid it, Christian men: Shun, oh! shun the fatal snare; Shall the Sabbath-breaker’s cry, Lead you from the House of Pray’r?
XI
We are told by Holy Writ, Not to desecrate this day: Dare you from this dread command, With defiance turn away?
XII
England is a Christian Isle, Englishmen are Christians still; Let them one firm effort make To protect God’s holy will.