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THE BRADFORD REVIEW, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1863

Laying the Foundation Stone of the Protestant Hall, Cottingley. (Dec. 26th 1863)

The little village of Cottingley, near Bingley, has long bneen in want of better accommodation for school and religious worship. The only place in the village is a small building of one room, which has been used as a day-school, a Sunday school and preaching room. It has also served as a lecture room of the Mechanic's Institution. This place is altogether inadequate for these purposes, and, indeed, is ill adapted for any one of them. The public-spirited inhabitants of the village have long felt that some more commodious and suitable building was desirable, both for day and Sunday school, as well as for a place of worship; and for many years past they have been labouring to bring about the erection of such an edifice. At length, through the exertions of a few friends, and especially through the persevering zeal of Mr. Thomas Baines, of Stock House, the desire of their hearts had been accomplished, and the foundation stone of a new building was laid on Saturday last. The structure is to be called "The Protestant Hall", and is to be used as a day-school, Sunday school, lecture and meeting hall, and a preaching room, to be used by all evangelical denominations, as will be seen from the account of the proceedings. Judging from the engraving of the building it will be a handsome and commodious as well as useful hall. The architect is Mr. Jackson, of Bradford. The style of the building is Italian, and will comprise a schoolroom on the basement storey of 28ft by 36 ft. Immediately above, on the ground floor, will be the lecture hall, the dimensions of which will be 36ft by 40ft. By the side of each entrance, will be two classrooms. 21ft by 16ft., over which will be a gallery 22ft by 38ft. 6ins. The entire frontage of the building will be 41ft.; and the building will be situate nine yards from the road. The land around the building will be 135ft by 81 ft. It will be warmed by an apparatus fixed in the basement storey, and next the school-room. Annexed to the school-room will be a spare room for forms, tables etc.
Saturday last was a great day at Cottingley. Notwithstanding it was unseasonable weather for out-door gatherings, a goodly number of villagers assembled to witness the ceremony of the laying of the foundation stone of this New Hall. Among the friends from a distance, we observed the Mayor of Bradford, (Joseph Farrar, Esq.) Mr. Alderman Brown, Councillor Silas Scott, W. E. Glyde Esq., James Fyfe Esq., of Shipley, Mr. B. Crowther of the Bradford Town Mission, and Mr. Wm Ferrand. Among the gentlemen connected with the locality were the Revs E. S. Heron, and R. Green, Messrs. Thomas Baines, Joshua Laycock, Thomas Thornton, R. Tempest, and others. The proceedings commenced a little after 2 o'clock, by the singing of the appropriate hymn, given out by Mr. Heron, after which he offered prayer.
Mr. Thomas Baines stood forward and observed that they had expected a gentleman from the neighbourhood of Keighley, to preside over the proceedings on that occasion, but he had just received from his daughter a note, in which the cause of his absence was explained. He referred to Isaac Holden Esq., of Oakworth House, who had sent them a speech in the shape of a subscription. Mr. Baines then read the following note:- "Oakworth House, Saturday morning.
Mr. Baines - Dear Sir, My father caught a severe cold yesterday, while at Halifax, which will confine him to his room, we trust no longer than a day or two. He deeply regrets that he cannot be present at the laying of the foundation stone of your new Protestant Hall, to the erection of which he has much pleasure in contributing £80. My father wishes me to present to you his very kind regards.
I remain, dear sir, yours sincerely,
Margaret Holden."

He was glad, however, that they were honoured with the presence of the Mayor of Bradford, who, although labouring under severe indisposition, had yet been kind enough to come there that day, and therefore he thought they ought to be doubly grateful to him for the honour he had conferred upon their village. He then requested the Mayor to preside over the proceedings.
The Mayor (Joseph Farrar Esq.,) said he could assure them that any feeling of disappointment they might experience at the absence of Mr. Holden, would be equalled by his presidency that afternoon, for apart from the consideration that he was labouring under a severe cold, he had come there with not the remotest idea that he should be called upon to occupy the position in which they had placed him. He hoped they would, therefore, bear with him and accept the will for the deed. It could not but be gratifying to the inhabitants of Cottingley, to find themselves gathered there that day for the purpose of inaugurating, - or rather witnessing the laying of the foundation stone of a building, which would be of so much good to them all. He was given to understand that there were various objects contemplated in the erection of that building, any one of which in itself was sufficient to claim a separate building, and any one of which was excellent in itself, but when united altogether as it was proposed they would be, if embraced by the inhabitants, of incalculable advantage to them. The Mayor then requested Mr. Baines to read the formal statement of the objects of the building.
Mr. Baines read the following clauses from the Title Deed:-
"That a suitable edifice be erected to be appropriated for Sabbath and Day Schools, Mechanics' or Evening schools, Lectures, Religious Meetings and Preachings, and meetings on Sanitary and Social subjects; and the religious doctrines to be taught or promulgated therein by teachers and preachers from time to time, shall be such as are taught by Protestants who believe in the most Holy Trinity, and the Doctrine of the Atonement of Jesus Christ for sin, through which by repentance and faith towards God and our Lord Jesus Christ all persons may obtain remission of sins and everlasting life." The deed he observed, provided that the building should be erected, in which these glorious principles were to be taught for ever. The old building, he was happy to say, had belonged to no sect, to no party, and it was intended still, so long as it was possible to keep up a union to do so, and if the time should come when there would spring up confederates, when the requirements of the place would need separate action, he hoped all would be quite willing to take their portion of the work.
The Mayor then called upon the gentleman who was to present the implements to the gentleman who was to officiate in laying the foundation stone.
Mr. Joshua Laycock said he believed that day, above all others, would be held sacred in the hearts of the people of Cottingley - that that day would be handed down to posterity, to generation after generation, and that many yet unborn would have cause to rejoice over the fruits of the day's labour. That day had been set apart for the laying of the foundation of the noblest building that had yet been erected in Cottingley - of an institution to which they could send their children to receive an education, which would teach them how to live on earth so that they might live afterwards in the plains of paradise. It would also be an institution to which their young people might go and lay the foundation of their future greatness; to study those arts and sciences which would fit and prepare them to discharge the duties of high stations in public life; and he would earnestly recommend the young to go while they were young; while their minds were most open and most susceptible of receiving impressions - for he was convinced it would be a source of unspeakable pleasure to them to find that they were associated in learning with great and distinguished men; and if they neglected the opportunity which they now possessed, they would in all probability have many after years of repentance to no purpose. That institution would also be a place to which the middle-aged people of the village might resort to read over the lives and works of the eminent men of all ages. This would be a great comfort to them in their declining years; and those, whose hoary heads were blossomed over with time, might also come to the institution, and probably listen to the eloquence of their children. All these privileges, he could assure them, would be theirs; and he would say, on behalf of that village - "Honour be to those gentlemen from a distance, who had come forward so nobly and assisted them in their efforts to raise their noble superstructure," (Cheers). Their memories would live in the hearts of the people. And he could not help congratulating his friends in the village, who had come forward as they had, week after week, casting in their mite for the erection of this grand and unique building. He would urge fathers to bring their children, in order that they might learn the word of truth - that, when the grim monster death overtook them, they might defy him; for he believed that that institution would be the means of subduing the lion-like passions of man, and of reinstating the principles of the lamb - that it would be one of the means of bringing about the time when the strongholds of ignorance would be swept away, and when knowledge would cover the face of the whole earth. He said he should now have great pleasure in presenting the implements alluded to.
The Mayor here called upon W. E. Glyde, Esq., to undertake the next part of the proceedings.
Mr Glyde said he supposed his business in the proceedings of the afternoon was rather of a practical character, and rather concerned doing than speaking. Those who had the management of their proceedings had appointed him to perform a very little matter, but which led, like many of the little things of this world to great matters. Before doing that little matter which would perhaps occupy little more than a moment, but which would probably lead to other matters which would have their effect upon generations yet to come, he could not help taking that opportunity of uttering a few words of congratulation. He thought it was not an occasion of ordinary interest that had brought them together that afternoon. It was no rare matter to find, in the large towns and even villages of our country, a crowd like that assembled to witness the laying of the foundation stone of a school for teaching the rudiments of learning, and, thank God, it had not been a rare thing during the last 100 years for the inhabitants of towns and villages to come together to witness the laying of the foundation stone of a chapel or a church; but he contended it was a very rare occasion indeed that any population had met together as they had done today to lay the foundation stone of a building which would combine in itself, a day school, a lecture hall, a Sunday school, and a place of worship - a place of worship not intended to be confined to one sect of Christ's Church, but to be open to many sects. Therefore what he had to say would naturally fall under two heads. It was a curious fact that they were met together that afternoon to begin the erection of a building which was to be used both for secular and sacred purposes. There had been a time when it was said sneeringly, but nevertheless with some degree of truth (for no sneer could ever exist unless there was some truth in it), that ignorance was the mother of devotion. Thank God, said he, that time had passed away - (hear, hear,) for he believed all true and devout Christians of the present day were convinced that knowledge was rather the handmaid of devotion than ignorance. He believed that opinion prevailed in Cottingley as elsewhere; in truth, he took the fact that they were there to erect such a building as an assurance of it. He believed too, that there was a feeling largely prevalent among Christian people, that religion was specially important as to its bearing upon the world which was to come, but he could assure them that it was just as important in its bearing on this life, and that it ought not to be put off with the Sunday clothes. In what they were about to do that afternoon he hoped they would act on the principle that religion was good for both worlds, and that when they should unite in that building the secular and the sacred they would dwell together in perfect friendship. While it was not rare to see chapels and churches rising up in various parts of the country, it was quite an exception to find a building like the one they were about to erect, that was to be used for both secular and sacred purposes. As the old school-room had been, so the new hall was to be used by different denominations. In united efforts of this kind, there need be no sacrifice of principle. It was right that every man should stand up to maintain his own views on proper occasions. The evil of religious strife did not arise from the earnest maintenance of a man's own views, but rather from the bad, unchristian temper with which these points were often argued. It had long ago been said by the poet Cowper:-

"Religion should extinguish strife,
And make a calm of human life:
But even those who differ
Only on topics left at large
How fiercely will they meet and charge !
No combatants are stiffer."

There could be no doubt that a great deal of evil had been done by the bad temper which Christians had, on many occasions, displayed on behalf of their respective sects. He must, however, admire the way in which the people of Cottingley had assembled in the old school room, and they way in which they had come together that afternoon, and the harmony and good feeling which seemed to dwell among them. He hoped the same spirit would be handed down to generations yet to come. Speaking of the unsectarian character of the building of which they were assembled that day to lay the foundation stone, he said he thought the time was peculiarly appropriate; for if there was one time in the whole year when hearts felt more kindly to one another, he thought it was Christmas. He was persuaded that the proceedings of that day would be looked back to by the inhabitants of Cottingley, as the merriest and best Christmas that they had ever had.
A bottle containing copies of the local papers, coins, etc. was then placed in a cavity of a stone allotted for the purpose, by Mr. Laycock, who, before the silver trowel, mallet, etc., were formally presented to Mr. Glyde, read the inscription which was to the following effect: -
"Presented by the Trustees of the Cottingley Protestant Hall to W. E. Glyde, Esq., for the purpose of laying the foundation stone, Dec. 26th, 1863."
The Mayor said he wished to inform Mr. Glyde that he understood that the inhabitants of Cottingley desired to present him with the implements in question as a mark of the high esteem with which they regarded him as a gentleman, a philanthropist, and a contributor to the erection of that building. When they had been used for the present purpose, it was proposed that he should take them to his residence and let them remain there as a memento of the good work in which he had been engaged that day. He (the Mayor) hoped they would long remain in the possession of his family, and that when his children looked upon them, they might seek to emulate the good works in which he had been engaged.
The silver trowel and the mallet were then formally presented to Mr. Glyde by Mr. Laycock, in the name of the inhabitants of Cottingley. The stone was then lowered, and the usual ceremony was performed by Mr, Glyde, who declared the stone upon which he was standing to be duly laid, in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. He hoped the wishes that had been expressed that day, that the building should become a blessing to those who entered it both intellectually, socially, and religiously would be largely answered by God.
The Rev. Mr. Green then read a few appropriate verses of Scripture, after which the Mayor called upon Mr. Alderman Brown, who said, the resolution which he had the pleasure to move was to the following effect: -"That the inhabitants of Cottingley now assembled desire to express their strong sense of gratitude and appreciation of Wm. Ferrand Esq., M.P. and J. Hollings Esq., for their munificent gifts, and request the Chairman of the Executive to transmit the same to these gentlemen." He had great pleasure in moving the resolution, as he considered it exceedingly honourable in these two gentlemen to come forward as they had, and present to the inhabitants of Cottingley these two important sites, for which they had to return them thanks that day. Mr. Ferrand, he explained, had given the portion of ground on which the building was to be erected, and Mr. Hollings had presented to them the land on which the old School room now stood. The value of Mr. Ferrand's gift was £150 and that of Mr. Hollings was about £100. That showed, he thought, the kind feeling those gentlemen towards the inhabitants of the village, and he trusted it would be properly appreciated by them; for it could not be doubted for a moment but that they had rendered a real service to the inhabitants of Cottingley.
He was exceedingly gratified to think that they had come forward and done what they had, as, being Churchmen, and entertaining a strong feeling towards the National Establishment of this country, he thought it showed an exceedingly liberal spirit. (Hear) I'm thus waiving their own opinions they had shown that they were quite willing that the inhabitants of Cottingley should worship God in whatever manner they pleased, and he very much respected them for it. It's trusted that when the edifice was erected it would be an ornament to the place; indeed he was convinced it would be - and that they should be proud of it - (A voice - "We shall"); that the young men and young women of the place would avail themselves of the advantages it would offer to get the education which would make them useful citizens in after life, and he hoped they would not forget that they had to thank Mr. Hollings, Mr. Ferrand and other gentlemen for the result. These were the glorious times, he thought, when knowledge was to give stability to the state; and the more they looked back on the past three years of the history of this country would that fact be admitted. During that time the population of one of the more populous counties in the kingdom had passed through one of the most terrible ordeals through which any people had ever been called upon to pass, and yet there had not been the slightest insecurity to property, or to persons; and it was only by rejecting brute force and taking up knowledge that we should be able to keep our present pr-eminent position in the world. In conclusion, he congratulated them that a building of this kind was going to be erected, and said he hoped God's blessing would rest upon it.
Mr. Councillor Silas Scott said he had very great pleasure in seconding the resolution, and in thus taking some small part in the very interesting proceedings of that day. He had often been through their quaint and somewhat romantic village, and had paid visits to it on various occasions, but never had he been in it on an occasion of equal interest o himself - and he might also say to them. They had laid that day the foundation stone of a Protestant Institution - but they well understood that, although it was called a Protestant Institute, it was not a sectarian one, but that it was thoroughly, entirely, and truly a Catholic one; that the principles which would be taught in it were essence of all Catholic truth - the universal truth which would spread itself ultimately all over the world. He had very much pleasure in seconding the resolution, because he saw in the gifts of these two gentlemen, as Mr. Brown had stated, indications of a liberal and Catholic spirit, which he for one very much valued. (Hear). He esteemed these gifts - and he was sure they did the same - not merely for the amount which they represented, but for the Catholic spirit which they displayed, and he hoped their example would be more and more imitated, so that the walls of partition, which sectarianism and party spirit had erected, might soon be demolished.
Mr. Thos. Thornton, in supporting the resolution jocularly observed that Mr. Ferrand and Mr. Hollings had made all the inhabitants of Cottingley free-holders, for everyone of them had now become owners of land and owners of one building - and very soon they would be owners of two - and they were not only owners of the land themselves, but their children would be owners of it after them. For that reason he was sure everyone in the village would be ready to support the resolution, as he most cordially did.
The resolution was then carried with acclamation.
Mr. James Fyfe, on being called upon to move the next resolution, expressed his surprise at the observation that had fallen from the lips of Mr. Baines, to the effect that Cottingley was rather out of the way - at the end of the world, etc. From what he had heard of the manner in which some gentlemen had come forward and subscribed towards that building, he should suppose that it was in a most central capital position. He had been exceedingly pleased with the proceedings that afternoon, and always felt it a pleasure to come to Cottingley and help it in a small way. But he thought while they ought to be very thankful to the gentlemen who had given such great sums, they ought to remember those gentlemen who had carried on the good work for years past. There were some there who might have gone to Bingley or Bradford, and left the inhabitants of Cottingley in their native darkness; but these good men and women had been satisfied to continue with them worshipping and working - at once carrying on the worship of God and the education of the young. They had also taken a great interest in the secular education of the young in schools, Mechanics' Institutes, lectures etc., and had thus shown their interest in the welfare of the village. He had to move, however, "That having received such striking proofs of benevolence and sympathy from gentlemen, whose kindness and love have warmed the hearts and encouraged the energies of Christian and philanthropist - we desire that our sincere thanks be presented to them, and that they may long live as blessings to the church and the world." Now, that resolution would speak for itself, when they recollected that some gentlemen had subscribed £100 each, other £50, and here and there one for £30, making something like £800, and he really thought their best thanks were due to those gentlemen. It was, therefore, for them to be very thankful that the Lord had put it into the hearts of those gentlemen, to come forward as they had, in support of such a good cause; for a good cause it would have been if it had only been intended for the spreading of the gospel truth, but when there were taken into account the education of the young in the day and Sunday schools, Mechanics' Institute, lectures, and other means in connection with it, he believed they would all admit that it was a very excellent cause indeed. He urged them to live active and useful lives, for if they only lived well they were the best prepared to die, whenever the time should come. He had great pleasure in moving the resolution.
Mr. B. Crowther, in seconding the resolution, said he had seen the village frequently from the hills but till that afternoon he had never been in it. He was happy to be there on that very interesting occasion, and he thought in the future he should not be so entirely a stranger to them. As the day, however, was rather far advanced, he would not occupy their time by any observations of his own but simply second the resolution.
Mr. Thomas Baines had great pleasure in supporting the resolution, and bore testimony to the kindness, love, and the warmth of heart which he had met with on al, hands in various parts of the country, in his mission for raising contributions for the erection of that building. The building would cost about £1000 or £1100. That sum seemed to be a great deal, but when the plans had been submitted to those gentlemen to whom they had applied for subscriptions, they would not hear of anything but the whole thing - in fact, they would not subscribe unless the whole plans were adopted. But what had gratified him more than anything had been to see the women and the children of the village coming to the old school to give in their mites toward the erection of their grand hall. One little fellow in particular, who was not more than two feet high, had regularly brought his halfpenny per week, and another little one had promised to continue his subscriptions the whole year. He was happy to say that £800 had been promised towards the amount, and he hoped they would bear in mind that the villagers had promised from £400 to £500 of that. He would assure them that the kindness, love and sympathy of all who were engaged in the work were pleasing beyond measure. They were receiving in the subscriptions in the village, at the rate of £4 or £6 per week. He might say that one of their friends was so anxious that the building should be free from all debt when it should be completed, that he has promised if they should happen to be within a reasonable point, he would come to their help and give them another lift, at last. He hoped they would all work hard that they might deserve that gift, and said he had great pleasure in supporting the resolution.
Mr. K. Baines briefly moved the next resolution which was to the effect "That the greetings of the inhabitants be given to those gentlemen who had graced them with their presence that day." In doing so he expressed the pleasure he felt in moving it, and his conviction that after it was seconded, it would be carried unanimously.
Mr. W. Farrand, an old villager, said he was very glad to have an opportunity of seconding the resolution, and hoped the Institution would succeed.
Mr. R. Tempest said, without making any remarks, he should support the resolution.
The resolution was then put and carried unanimously; three cheers for the Mayor concluding the proceedings.
In the old school room, which was very tastefully decorated for the occasion, an excellent tea was provided, which presented a peculiarly gratifying relish to those who had been subjected for some time to a rather unpleasant fall of rain and a piercing wind. Upwards of 250 persons sat down to discuss the comestibles, which had been kindly provided by the ladies for the benefit of the building. After tea, a public meeting was held, presided over by Mr. James Fyfe, of Shipley, when addresses were delivered by the Rev. E.S.Heron, and Messrs. Myers, Cockroft, S. Atkinson, J. Robertshaw, and other friends.