At London, England’s busiest intersection, Piccadilly Circus, is a fountain called “The Angel of Christian Charity” which some call “Eros”. It was placed there to commemorate Lord Shaftesbury who felt his Christian duty was take up the causes of the less fortunate. He’s quoted as saying, “I think a man’s religion, if it is worth anything, should enter into every sphere of life and rule his conduct in every relation.” As a member of Parliament, he spent his personal time and resources championing causes such as reforming child labor laws, eliminating teen-aged prostitution, curbing the opium trade, better sewer systems and “lunacy houses” and keeping young boys out of chimneys as chimney sweeps. Lord Shaftesbury was born April 28, 1801.
