Page:Eminent English liberals in and out of Parliament.djvu/205

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EGBERT WILLIAM DALE.
191

Century," he has acted as joint editor of "The Eclectic Review," and for seven years as editor of "The Congregationalist," the organ of his denomination. In regard to many of these multifarious matters, I am far from being able to see eye to eye with him; but he is always earnest, honest, able, tolerant, the steady, stout-hearted friend of civil and religious liberty, as he understands civil and religious liberty. In one of the hymns compiled by Mr. Dale, still sung at Carr's-lane Chapel, I read,—

"Unlearn not the lore thy Wycliffe well learned,
  Forsake not the cause thy Milton approved,
 Forget not the fire where thy Latimer burned,
  Nor turn from the truth thy Cromwell so loved."

To younger Radicals among us, who draw inspiration from less venerable historic sources, such injunctions may appear superfluous. But they are still real to many of the best men and women in England, with whom it should be our pride and pleasure to co-operate. Mr. Dale can pour new wine into old bottles without accident. He is likewise perfectly familiar with the uses of the newest bottles of Liberalism, as will be discovered by any one who cares to read his presidential address delivered to the members of the Birmingham Junior Liberal Association in October, 1878. He is one of the most effective platform speakers in Great Britain, and would make a heaven-born parliamentary candidate for a great popular constituency. Is it past praying for that such a man should be translated from Carr's Lane, Birmingham, to the wider sphere of usefulness at St. Stephen's, Westminster?