Individual men are willing to deny themselves, but associated communities will not.  The masses are too selfish, and fear that advantage will be taken of any sacrifices which they may be called upon to make.  Hence it is amongst the noble band of resolute spirits that we look for those who raise and elevate the world, as well as themselves.  The recollection of what they have done, acts as a stimulus to others.  It braces the mind of man, reanimates his will, and encourages him to further exertions.

When Lord Elcho addressed the East Lothian colliers, he named several men who had raised themselves from the coalpit; and first of all he referred to Mr. Macdonald, member for Stafford.  “The beginning of my acquaintance with Mr. Macdonald,” he said, “was, when I was told that a miner wanted to see me in the lobby of the House of Commons.  I went out and saw Mr. Macdonald, who gave me a petition from this district, which he asked me to present.  I entered into conversation with him, and was much struck by his intelligence.  He told me that he had begun life as a boy in the pit in Lanarkshire, and that the money he saved as a youth in the summer, he spent at Glasgow University in the winter; and that is where he got whatever book-learning or power of writing he possesses.  I say that is an instance that does honour to the miners of Scotland.  Another instance was that of Dr. Hogg, who began as a pitman in this county; worked in the morning, attended school in the afternoon; then went to the University for four years and to the Theological Hall for five years; and afterwards, in consequence of his health failing, he went abroad, and is now engaged as a missionary in Upper Egypt.  Or take the case of Mr. (now Sir George) Elliot, member for North Durham, who has spoken up for the miners all the better, for having had practical knowledge of their work.  He began as a miner in the pit, and he worked his way up till he has in his employment many thousand men.  He has risen to his great wealth and station from the humblest position; as every man who now hears me is capable of doing, to a greater or less degree, if he will only be thrifty and industrious.”

Lord Elcho might also have mentioned Dr. Hutton, the geologist, a man of a much higher order of genius; who was the son of a coal-viewer.  Bewick, the wood engraver, is also said to have been the son of a coal-miner.  Dr. Campbell was the son of a Loanhead collier:  he was the forerunner of Moffat and Livingstone, in their missionary journeys among the Bechuanas in South Africa.  Allan Ramsay, the poet, was also the son of a miner.

George Stephenson worked his way from the pithead to the highest position as an engineer.  George began his life with industry, and when he had saved a little money, he spent it in getting a little learning.  What a happy man he was, when his wages were increased to twelve shillings a week.  He declared upon that occasion that he was “made a man for life!” He was not only enabled to maintain himself upon his earnings, but to help his poor parents, and to pay for his own education.  When his skill had increased, and his wages were advanced to a pound a week, he immediately began, like a thoughtful, intelligent workman, to lay by his surplus money; and when he had saved his first guinea, he proudly declared to one of his colleagues that he “was now a rich man!”