Page:A Sermon Preached in the Temporary Chapel of Keble College.djvu/8

 It is not, I hope, too much to assume, that we shall come up with common feelings of happiness at being able to celebrate so great an event in the life of the College which we love; of pleasure at seeing the witness which the gathering will give us of the deep care and interest for the College which is felt in many English homes and hearts; of enthusiasm at the splendour of our new possession; and may I add, of gratitude to God, and to His servant to whom we owe the gift. I hope that we shall not be ashamed to have and to shew such feelings; nor allow the fashion of putting criticism before admiration, to rob us of a natural and honourable enthusiasm: the occasions for it which life brings are not so many that we can afford to waste them.

But, brethren, these natural thoughts will, if unhindered, spring instinctively. What is there beyond which we are more likely to miss, and must be more careful to foster?

Let me express it by again referring to words which I have already quoted. Let us come up, feeling that we are called to bear our part in offering this House "to the glory of God." The giver has done his lavish part. Our turn will have come for ours. I trust that on that day, undistracted by the excitement of large congregations and the sight of famous people and the novelty of the surroundings, we shall upon our knees for the first time in that noble building, send up together an earnest