CO129-143 - Sir MacDonnell - 1870 [1-2] — Page 54

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of His Royal Highness and of His Excellency the Governor, I wish, my brother Churchmen, before pronouncing the Benediction, to say a few words, with reference to the Work which has been so happily commenced to-day, and with reference also to our distinguished guest, The Work is one of faith; faith in God, and faith in you. We believe that 'except the Lord build the House, they labour in vain that build it,' and therefore we look up to Him for his blessing upon an undertaking whose sole object is His honour and glory. But we, on whom the responsibility of setting it on foot rests, have faith also in you. We believe in your Christian zeal and liberality; and, so believing, we feel sure that you will not be satisfied until the Work now begun under such favourable auspices is brought to a successful conclusion. As to our guest, I am sure you will most heartily join me in thanking His Royal Highness, for his great kindness in consenting to inaugurate this pious Undertaking, and for the skilful manner in which he has executed it. We were all prepared to receive him with respect and loyal affection as the son of our beloved Queen, whose throne is securely founded in the hearts of her people. But we now know him personally, and I am sure I express the sincere sentiments of all present, when I say that His Royal Highness has won for himself, during his too brief stay here, by his frank, genial, and affable bearing, a place in all our hearts. You will without exception, I am persuaded, join me in wishing him a safe and prosperous voyage, and in bidding him 'God speed.'" Then, turning to the Prince, the Reverend Gentleman said:-" Your Royal Highness, On behalf of the Clergy and Laity of this Cathedral City, I beg to present to you our most respectful and cordial thanks for your presence here to-day. We are sorry that you are so soon to leave us. We shall always think of your visit with feelings of unmixed satisfaction; and as,

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continually, in this Holy Place, we pray for 'all the Royal Family,' our thoughts will often revert to yourself.

I can only offer you in conclusion, that which the Kings and Princes of the earth, and none more than those of your Royal House, have been wont to consider worthy of their acceptance, what I believe you also will highly value, -the Blessing of God's Priest, and the Prayers of God's Church. May the Lord of the Ocean speed you and your gallant crew in the good ship Galatea, in all her voyages! may He who, eighteen hundred years ago, calmed the sea of Galilee be your Pilot and Guide! may hope, the bright hope of the Christian, be your anchor in every port! and may you 'so pass the waves of this troublesome world, that finally,' without loss or damage, you may come to the land of everlasting life, there to reign' 'world without end'! Amen."

The Reverend Canon then gave the Benediction, and His Royal Highness departed, the guard presenting arms as before and the National Anthem being performed by the band. Among those on the Platform, in addition to His Excellency the Governor and Lady MacDonnell, were Commodore Oliver J. Jones, E. Sharp, Esq., Registrar of the Diocese, Mrs. Pollard, Mrs. Sharp, Mrs. Pyke, Mr. Sassoon and many others. Under the Stone were deposited coins of Hongkong mintage, and copies of the Daily Press and Overland China Mail.

His Royal Highness soon after visited His Excellency Major-General Whitfeild, Commanding Her Majesty's Forces in China, who had been prevented by illness from appearing during the Prince's visit, and subsequently His Royal Highness honoured in a similar way Acting Chief Justice Pauncefote. On this day many elegant and costly souvenirs were presented on behalf of the Prince to his Hongkong friends. A sum of £150 was also left by His Royal High-

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