Lecture on "George Moore."

Auckland Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 26, 1 February 1887, Page 4

Lecture on "George Moore."

An interesting lecture was delivered last evening in the Newton Congregational School room, Edinburgh-=treot, by theKav. Mr Lewis, of Nelson, od " George Moore, Merchant and Philanthropist." There was a fair attendance. The Rev. T. Homer occupied the chair, and briefly opened the procLedingrf. Rev. Air Lewis commenced with the parentage of George Moore, and gave un amusing description of a Cumberland school of the old days. He then traced Moere's career In hie first situation at Wigdon, where he narrowly escaped developing into a gambler, ilia practices beinp discovered by his employer, Moore neajj^ lost his situation, but was allowed, one more chance, with the result t'aat it waa the turning point of his Ufa, While, yet a young man, he started for London, hia father starting him with, £30. Hia, struggles while alono in London were graphically described. At length Mooro! obtained a situation at £30. Being always, tager to work, and willing to do anything, naturally Moore'cucceaded in making him^ self indispensable to his employers. Hia next situation waß at £40 per aimum, Here ho commenced hia career as a commercial iravuiitr, and coon formed a large business conntciion, While receiving a salary of £150 per annum ho was) offered £500 a year 10 travel for the firm of Grococlt, Colestake, and Co, This he declined, but subsequently accepted a share- in the business, and afteiward'a becamo an equal partner. For twelve years he couliuuod to travel, and he had no holidays for 19 years, A J length he took a throe-months tv'm to America. Moore now tojk an interest in philanthropical work. Ho Waa amongut the founders of thq comi^c-i-cial travellers' school, au inatilution chat was btartod to educato ihechildren, of unfortunate commercials. This was opanca by the Prince Cun801'tj and cost £25,u00. His next work wa» to Etmt a school in his native parish at Boiton, which cost £GSO. He then atsiated in tho formation of the discharged Piisoncro' Aid Society, Thel Hospital for Incurables, and London Porters' Bonevolent Institution. In 1850 his hoalth broke down, Had during this period of hia life he tHisruiiou tho Cnristiau religion. JJohsdiamilyworshipin his warehouse every uay, and paid a clergyman £50uyear to conduct tho eervico. ilo atterwards .-tartod a eeboul for the urphuu children of wa.ehuuetmen, ivhicn now supported 250 childreu. He always had dinner spread in his warahouso for bjys who were seeking for wo^lt. In JS7I ilooro superintended too distribution ol tho Mansion House Kalief Fund to the residents of Paris, wboro his great anergy found full scopu, aver Ob',ooo persona boiug veHovod. la 1872 he became High Sheriff of Cumberland. At this time he gavo away on an average €10,000 a year, and shortly before hia death £40,000 waa distributed amongst all who had beeu in his employ. Thia was a fitting close for such a grand life. Moore died at tnt> advanced age of 70 yearc, after a life of benevolence coupled with persevering business energy.

At the close of tho lecture a vote of tnanka wao acconioa hit Lowis,