CONTINUATION
CHURCHES 21.
The Church was not large, but was fully suited to the purpose for which it was designed, and he doubted not in the course of time it would be filled with beautiful decorations and figures. He congratulated those present heartily on the work. Without their aid it would have been impossible to complete it, and he offered them his sincere thanks for what they had done. More was in fact due to them than to himself. He had hoped for many years to see a second Catholic Church in Hongkong, but although he had entertained this for fourteen years, he had not before been able to carry it out.
With only one Catholic Church it was difficult to supply the wants of the different nationalities in Hongkong. The Chinese were easily provided for by an additional chapel, but for the others another church had long been wanted. Year after year he had hoped to see this project carried out, but until now they had remained without a church, and he was almost giving up his cherished hope when they had done what he could not do.
The Right Rev. gentleman then dilated in eloquent terms upon the service to God which was done by the building of a new church, and spoke of the great benefit which mankind derived from churches in all parts of the world. They were a necessity of human nature, drawing people together by their highest instincts, the exercise of their religious feeling, and causing them to assemble on all great national occasions,
This Church, he added, had been especially designed for the benefit of the soldiers, and was placed as near to them as could be. It was impossible to express too highly the debt of gratitude which they owed to the Government and others for the aid which had been granted. We might not be here very long, but, wherever we might go, we should never forget those who, laying aside all difference of belief, had granted the place where the Church stood. He had not words enough to express his deep feeling of gratitude. That God might vouchsafe that their works should be prosperous, and grant them happiness in this world, and salvation in that which is to come, would be his fervent hope.
The Church which they had founded would be open to afford comfort and relief to thousands, and to soothe humanity in its afflictions. The young man anxious and disappointed in some of his fondest hopes; the mother bereft of her children; the widow of her husband - all who suffered from the thousand afflictions which are the lot of mankind, could find within the walls of the Church consolation for their sorrow, and leave it with hope restored and strength renewed.