Page:(Commercial character) The Joseph Fisher lecture in commerce, delivered at the University of Adelaide (IA commercialcharac00jessrich).pdf/13

9 the penalty attaching to failure. You have doubtless heard of Disraeli's diocesan conference speech. You know how England jeered at and ridiculed the man who declared himself on the side of the angels. There was a wonderful cartoon by Tenniel representing Disraeli in scant but graceful garb, wearing the wings which we are wont to ascribe to angelic beings posing before a cheval glass; it was irresistibly comic, and every one laughed and applauded. Yet that same speech was full of wisdom. As Froude says in his biography:— ""The note of scorn with which it rings has preserved it better than any affectation of pious horror." What, said Disraeli? It is not our iron ships, it is not our celebrated regiments, it is not these things which have created, or really maintain an Empire. It is the character of the people. I want to know where that famous character of the English people will be if they are to be influenced and guided by a church of immense talent, opulence, and power, without any distinctive creed. You have in this country accumulated wealth that has never been equalled, and probably it will still increase. You have a luxury that will some day, peradventure, rival even your wealth, and the union of such circumstances with a church without a distinctive creed will lead, I believe, to a dissolution of manners and morals which prepares the tomb of empires.""

Yes, the character of the people. How is it to be formed? Is there a more momentous question for the leaders of this young nation to ponder? I