There is no security for the permanence of public effort, save in the clear conviction of its intrinsic rightfulness and conduciveness to the public good. The rest must be left to time and posterity. True, the debt is sometimes paid after the creditor is dead. But if reparation never comes to the living, unknown persons whose condition needs betterment receive it, and that is the proud and consoling thought of those who—unrequited—effected it. The wholesome policy of persistence is expressed in the noble maxim of Helvetius to which John Morley has given new currency: "Love men, but do not expect too much from them."
Fewer persons would fall into despair if their anticipations were, like a commercial company, "limited." Many men expect in others perfection, who make no conspicuous contribution themselves to the sum of that excellent attribute.
"Giving too little and asking too much Is not alone a fault of the Dutch."
I do not disguise that standing by Rightness is an onerous duty. It is as much a merit as it is a distinction to have been, at any time, in the employ of Truth. But Truth, though an illustrious, is an exacting mistress, and that is why so many people who enter her service soon give notice to leave.
[With respect to this chapter, Mr. Ludlow wrote supplying
some particulars regarding the Christian Socialists, to
which it is due to him that equal publicity be given. He
states "that the first Council of Promoters included two
members, neither of whom professed to be a Christian; that
the first secretary of the Society for Promoting Working
Men's Associations was not one, during the whole of his
faithful service (he became one twenty years later), and
that his successors were, at the time we took them on, one
an Agnostic, the other a strong Congregationalist." This is
the first time these facts have been made known. But none of
the persons thus described had anything to do with the
production of the Handbook referred to and discussed at the
Leeds Congress of 1881. Quite apart from the theological
tendencies of the "Christian Socialists," the Co-operative
movement has been indebted to them for organisation and
invaluable counsel, as I have never ceased to say. They were
all for the participation of profits in workshops, which is
the essential part of higher Co-operation. There was always
light in their speeches, and it was the light of principle.
In this respect Mr. Ludlow was the first, as he is the last
to display it, as he alone survives that distinguished band.
Of Mr. Edward Vansittart Neale I have unmeasured admiration
and regard. To use the fine saying of Abd-el-Kader,
"Benefits conferred are golden fetters which bind men
of noble mind to the giver." This is the lasting sentiment
of the most experienced Co-operators towards the Christian
Socialists.]
CHAPTER XXXII. STORY OF THE LAMBETH PALACE GROUNDS
Seed sown upon the waters, we are told, may bring forth fruit after many days. This chapter tells the story of seed sown on very stony soil, which brought forth fruit twenty-five years later.
In 1878, Mr. George Anderson, an eminent consulting gas engineer, in whom business had not abated human sympathy, passed every morning on his way to his chambers in Westminster, by the Lambeth Palace grounds. He was struck by the contrast of the spacious and idle acres adjoining the Palace and the narrow, dismal streets where poor children peered in corners and alleys. The sheep in the Palace grounds were fat and florid, and the children in the street were lean and pallid. The smoke from works around dyed dark the fleece of the sheep.
Mr. Anderson thought how much happier a sight it would be to see the children take the place of the sheep, and asked me if something could not be done.