He concluded by exhorting them not to grow weary in well-doing, for their labour would not be in vain in the Lord.
Mr. Hazlerigg, of Leicester, said he had the difficult task of speaking to the children, and he wished to put before them four prizes. But they were not tangible—nothing to eat, nor yet anything to see—yet all, he thought, might have them, and he recommended them all to aim at getting them.
The first thing he wished them to prize was, their Sunday School. He said it should be the endeavour of all to keep up the honour of the school, and, when any were tempted to do wrong, their first thought should be, "What would they say at the Sunday School?" When he was formerly in the army, they had what was termed "esprit de corps," i.e., a pride in keeping up the character of the regiment. He hoped none of his audience would ever buy sweets on Sunday, or it might be said, that "It is one of the Gower Street Sunday School children."
The second prize was, their Bibles. If they prized and were led by their Bibles, they would be good children. It would make them submit to all lawful authority. How different it would be if the command, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself," was better learnt and practised than it is!
In the third place, he wished them to prize their chapel. He spoke of the blessing attending the hearing of the Word of God. He said that some children go to school, and then slip off without going to chapel. He hoped none of those before him ever did that.
Fourthly, he hoped they would prize their Superintendent and their teachers. What a labour of love and self-denial was theirs! They liked the work, and their desire was, the glory of God in the children's good—in the salvation of their souls, and their prosperity—and they sought for this reward—the good of their scholars.
The "touchable" prizes for the past year were then distributed by Mr. Hazlerigg, and after Mr. Link had concluded with prayer, the children each received a bun and orange, the gift of Mr. Prior, one of their teachers.
For the sake of brevity, a vote of thanks was proposed to the latter, associated with the names of the visiting ministers and the President, which was heartily responded to. Mr. Hazlerigg replied for all in a few witty words, which brought the evening to a genial and timely close.