THE EVANGELIST HUNT.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 13131, 2 June 1908, Page 7

THE EVANGELIST HUNT.

♦— : THE \ ICTIM'S STORY.

The evangelist who was a-n involuntary aotor in the extraordinary affair on Sunday evening was seen yesterday by a reporter on "The Press," to whoon he gave an account of the affair, as it appeared to him from tho victim's point of view. A young man, quietly but well dressed, of medium size, but sturddr- built, introduced himself to tlie reporter as the evangelist whose adventure had excited the public interest. Tho pressman endeavoured to direct conversation to tho occurrence of tlie previous evening, but the evangolist, his eyes flashing and face gilowiimt with a strange enthusiasm, as persistently talked of his mission. "My object in preaching," ho declared loftily, "is to turn the stagnant pool- of hmmamity iii-to HUreaaii- of eau de cologne, to prevent the young menfrom desccndinio; into the abyss of hell, where they are I have been preaching for many yeairs in New South Wales and in New Zealand, but I never had such an experience as that of -last night. Oh, yes, people have thrown bricks at mo, but I always managed to dodge them, and one night a man tried to stab mc. "What offended the people on Sunday night? Well, if you keep a pearl in tlie dark, it will become black. If it is kept in the beautiful sunlight, or lies in the bed of the clear ocean, it retains all its beauty and charm. Its talents are not hidden in n napkin. Britain is hiding its talents in a napkin, and' the result will bo that tilie nation will be overcome u-y the black races. When I said that thoy didn't like it. They crushed in towards mc, but 1 got away. When I ran into tho house in Herefoirl street they got •my hat and tore it to pieces. After I had been in tho house some time, I was told that tho crowd wanited to hear mc again, "I went on to the verandah, and addressed them. They listened for a good while, but (ingenuously) I suppose they got tired, and wanted to havo their fun. Some of them threw mud and grass at mc, but not very much. I went away from the houso then, intending to take the crowd round to Mr Flanagan's lecture. I thought if I went they would all go too. But we all went along to tho stables, and there two policemen put mc in a cab. I don't blame- the police for not coming sooner. Poor fellows, they have enough to do, and they don't get very much for it. "Am I coming out again? Yes, I don't intend to let this frighten mo. Just now my voice and my nerves aro shaky, and I don't want to run in opposition to Mr Flanagan. I havo made over 3500 conversions in New South Wales, and some of my meetings in New Zealand have been blessed." The evangelist continued in tliis stiain for some considerable time, drawing peculiar metaphors, and declaring his intention of prosecuting his mission vigorously throughout New Zealand. A correspondent writes to us stating that ho listened to the evangelist's addresses, and was convinced, that the speaker's eloquence proved that he was a man of good education, and one who deserved a courteous hearing.