The million-peopled city
Garwood, John
1853
The especial Claims which Pensioners present on the Christian Benevolence of the Nation, and not of the Inhabitants of London only.
The pensioners of both and , although domiciled in the metropolis, have been the defenders of the country at large. On the country at large, therefore, they have a most legitimate claim for efforts on behalf of their further religious instruction, and not on London ex- clusively. They belong to varied towns in the United Kingdom, and are the nation's veterans. They are one, out of many classes of London's population, respecting whom | |
160 | London is most legitimately entitled to ask the aid of country towns on behalf of her residents. |
There are very few classes of persons, however, to the religious comfort and instruction of whom, in their old age, Christian persons can provide, with an equal measure of delightful satisfaction that they are doing what is pre- eminently an act of justice no less than mercy. How much does the nation owe to them, and every individual person as a part of the nation ! Have they not fought our battles ? They kept off our foes-they preserved our homes, our property, and our lives-we owe to them the liberty which is still retained to us, and the peace which is so great a blessing. | |