"THE RIGHT HON. DAVID LLOYD-GEORGE."

Evening Post, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 121, 18 November 1909, Page 2

"THE RIGHT HON. DAVID LLOYD-GEORGE."

LECTURE BY REV. TUDOR JONES. A lecture was given last, evening m the Unitarian Free Church to a numerous audience, on the life of the Imperial 'Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. 'Lloyd-George. The speaker commenced with the declaration that the lecture would not be of a political nature for more than one reason ; he would simply consider the forces that had raised the man from his obscure beginning to the lofty position ho now occupies. Mr. Lloyd-George was born in Manchester in 1363. His father was an elementary schoolmaster, who died in Liverpool, where the family removed shortly after tho birth of David. He had no college education, and aftci- the death of his father tho family again removed to a small Welsh town, thus depriving the boy of the opportunity of learning English. He spoke the Welsh language only until he entered Parliament in, his 2otn year. He partakes of the Celtic, lovo of nature, and has inherited the minor life tone of his people, whose national sensitiveness is the outcome of their national history and their religious beliefs. He became a solicitor through his own perseverance and ability, and was greatly noted for his attention to detail in the duties of his profession. No item of detail was to him" of too small importance, yet he never allowed himself to be dominated by petty business matters. His has been a serious, strenuous life, a life wholly controlled by a clear knowledge of the needs and ideals of his people. One of the youngest of the British M.P.'s, he dared to be himself. This was something quite new in the House of Commons, and instantly commanded the attention of the curious. His immediate contact with the people gave him a great advantage over the exclusive and aristocratic, law-makers. His power was immediate. "Let a man have a good tale to tell, and that man will raise himself in the regard of the people," said tho , lecturer. LloydGeorgo had a message direct from tho people. Ho knew the people's need, though they wpre not clearly aware of it themselves. Some people raise themselves unworthily by considering only themselves. For the past fifteen years Mr. Lloyd-George has effaced himself, his own life and inclinations. ' Not ability alone or intellect has made him prominent. The physical energy and the emotional personality of tho man have given him an advantage over intellects as bright as his own. The lecturer mentioned the Minister's capacity for laying tho burdens of his work on other shoulders than his own. He had practically the whole Nonconformist Churches fighting with him, because he had pointed their duty and focussed their regard upon his object. Ho was tho busiest of men, and yet had time for everything. During his Budget session, he took his daily commune with nature, ho read his favourite authors, he amused his children. In these things he found refreshment and recreation. His life is a lesson to us all that wo may raise ourselves if we will but live for others, and fulfil that we feel to be our life's work.