THE INDUSTRIAL MUSEUM
Chinese and other placards bearing the ambiguous statement, "No passage this way," and suffer only the announcement, "No admittance but on business," let us see, when admitted on that plea, that our business is a noble one. Once, like the raven from the Ark, we found in the days of war no rest in all the world for the soles of our feet; now, like Noah's dove, we may pluck the olive leaves of peace wherever we will. To civilize the world through commerce, and stretch forth the hands of brethren to all the nations of the globe, is a mighty work, which God has largely given to our nation to effect, and he has laid the duty specially and honourably on those represented by you.
But why do I trouble you with my words! Was there not a parable spoken more than 1800 years ago, in answer to him who asked, "Who is my neighbour?" Did not the lawyer, the physician—even the clergyman—pass by him that had fallen among thieves, and leave the Samaritan merchant to interrupt his business journey, and help the unfortunate? Is it not curious to come across so minute a piece of ancient business-detail; the pouring of oil and wine into the wounds; the payment in ready money to the innkeeper of as much as could be spared from the scantily-filled travelling purse; the bond for further expenses which might be incurred by the sick man, and which the merchant should repay when he returned with the monies which he expected to receive? And do not all nations since call that merchant the Good Samaritan? Yes! and that parable was spoken by Him who, with his divine hands, handled the carpenter's tools, and in thus honouring the humblest handicraft, left us, as in all else, an example that we should follow his steps.
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THE INDUSTRIAL MUSEUM
Chinese and other placards bearing the ambiguous statement, "No passage this way," and suffer only the announcement, "No admittance but on busi- ness," let us see, when admitted on that plea, that our business is a noble one. Once, like the raven from the Ark, we found in the days of war no rest in all the world for the soles of our feet; now, like Noah's dove, we may pluck the olive leaves of peace wherever we will. To civilize the world through commerce, and stretch forth the hands of brethren to all the nations of the globe, is a mighty work, which God has largely given to our nation to effect, and he has laid the duty specially and honourably on those represented by you.
But why do I trouble you with my words! Was there not a parable spoken more than 1800 years ago, in answer to him who asked, "Who is my neighbour ?" Did not the lawyer, the physician- even the clergyman-pass by him that had fallen among thieves, and leave the Samaritan merchant to interrupt his business journey, and help the unfor tunate? Is it not curious to come across so minute a piece of ancient business-detail; the pouring of oil and wine into the wounds; the payment in ready money to the innkeeper of as much as could be spared from the scantily-filled travelling purse; the
AND COMMERCIAL ENTERPRISE,
bond for further expenses which might be incurred by the sick man, and which the merchant should repay when he returned with the monies which he expected to receive? And do not all nations since call that merchant the Good Samaritan ? Yes! and that parable was spoken by Him who, with his divine hands, handled the carpenter's tools, and in thus honouring the humblest handicraft, left us, as in all else, an example that we should follow his steps.
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