enormous increase in
the number of those whose occupation in the manufacture of machines
inclines them to a materialistic explanation even of the most obviously
miraculous events, and the growth of this class in our midst constituted,
and still constitutes, a grave danger to the state.

"It was to meet this that the society was formed on behalf of which I
appeal fearlessly to your generosity. It is called, as most of you
doubtless know, the Sunchild Evidence Society; and his Majesty the King
graciously consented to become its Patron. This society not only
collects additional evidences--indeed it is entirely due to its labours
that the precious relic now in this temple was discovered--but it is its
beneficent purpose to lay those that have been authoritatively
investigated before men who, if left to themselves, would either neglect
them altogether, or worse still reject them.

"For the first year or two the efforts of the society met with but little
success among those for whose benefit they were more particularly
intended, but during the present year the working classes in some cities
and towns (stimulated very much by the lectures of my illustrious friend
Professor Panky) have shewn a most remarkable and zealous interest in
Sunchild evidences, and have formed themselves into local branches for
the study and defence of Sunchild truth.

"Yet in spite of all this need--of all this patient labour and really
very gratifying success--the subscriptions to the society no longer
furnish it with its former very modest income--an income which is
deplorably insufficient if the organization is to be kept effective, and
the work adequately performed. In spite of the most rigid economy, the
committee have been compelled to part with a considerable portion of
their small reserve fund (provided by a legacy) to tide over
difficulties. But this method of balancing expenditure and income is
very unsatisfactory, and cannot be long continued.

"I am led to plead for the society with especial insistence at the
present time, inasmuch as more than one of those whose unblemished life
has made them fitting recipients of such a signal favour, have recently
had visions informing them that the Sunchild will again shortly visit us.
We know not when he will come, but when he comes, my friends, let him not
find us unmindful of, nor ungrateful for, the inestimable services he has
rendered us. For come he surely will. Either in winter, what ti