Page:The Story of the Jubilee Singers (7th).djvu/15

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have a second building at once. Can we get ten thousand pounds by subscription for it in Great Britain?" As the result of careful deliberation, and under the advice of many friends, the decision was reached to begin the raising of ten thousand pounds to erect the second University building.

This movement was publicly inaugurated in London in May following by two invitation concerts—one at Willis's Rooms, and the other at Cannon Street Hotel. The Right Hon. Earl of Shaftesbury, K.G., presided at the former, and Samuel Morley, Esq., M.P., at the latter. As the results of these meetings and the endorsement thus given, several hundred pounds were at once subscribed toward the object, Mr. Morley himself, with characteristic generosity, leading the subscription with a contribution of one hundred pounds.

The Jubilee Singers have been unable to devote the earnings of their concerts to this fund, owing to the other pressing necessities of the University; but through contributions the fund has steadily increased, until now it amounts to nearly four thousand pounds. The work has already been begun on the foundations, and the building will be pushed forward to completion just as rapidly as funds can be secured to meet the expenses.

The University has been blessed with a remarkable degree of prosperity. The achievements of the Jubilee Singers, the occupation of Jubilee Hall, the influence exerted by its students, who have gone forth as teachers and have under instruction more than ten thousand children, have given the school popularity and influence which have greatly increased the number of students in the higher departments. Jubilee Hall is full to overflowing, so that students desiring admission have been refused for the want of room. Our hope and prayer is that the funds which are necessary to complete the Livingstone Missionary Hall may be so speedily