SEVEN MAY-DAYS: DISCOURSES AND LECTURES TO THE YOUNG AT STEPNEY. BY THE REV. JOHN KENNEDY, M. A., F.R G.S. BC LONDON: JAMES NISBET & CO., 21, BERNERS STREET. INTRODUCTION. Origin of the May-day Lecture. THE origin of the May-day Lecture at Stepney is involved in no obscurity. In his Preface to a volume of Sermons on "The Good of Early Obedience," Matthew Mead says:-"In April, 1674, a gentleman, who was till then a stranger to me, came with an earnest request that I would undertake a sermon yearly, on every May-day, to the younger people. I desiring to know his reason why to them, rather than to others, and why on that day rather than on any other, he told me it had often been the grief of his soul to behold the vicious and debauched practices of youth on that day of liberty, and did hope that many might be induced, either by their own inclinations, or by the counsels of their parents and masters, rather to spend their time in hearing a sermon than in drinking and gaming, &c., by which means, many might be converted and saved. The design being so honest, and the reason so cogent, |