RUDYARD KIPLING.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 17 July 1924, Page 9

RUDYARD KIPLING.

INTERESTING ADDRESS BY MR J. S. BARTON. The evening devoted by St. John’s Bible Class Institute to the* famous poet Kipling, whose lines have delighted thousands, was a most pronounced success. Mr J. S. Barton, who had kindly agreed to t give an address, kept his hearers tensely interested from his opening remarks till he concluded by reciting two of the poet’s works which, in his opinion, were the very best. Throughout he showed an intimate knowledge of the poet’s life and work, proving that he had been a deep, constant, anc p. sympathetic reader. In the course of his address, lie demonstrated the various qualities pf the man as typified in his work—his virility, his intense patriotism, his championing of the cause of Tommy Atkns, and of his sea brothers, such, as the minesweepers, his ability to. introduce into liis poems, as did "the master craftsman Shakespeare, the people he met in his way’ through life, his love and appreciation of true romance, and, perhaps above all, his universal love of all that was true and good in his fellow-men. He showed, by illustrations from various poems and prose works, the wide knowledge of the world, the intense love for humanity, the great insight into the religion of various peoples, East and West, and the intimate knowledge of the Bible possessed by the great poet. His high ideals and his fearless championship of the people when wrongs were to be righted were also brought out dearly. In all it was a talk which made every listener regret lie did not know more of the poet’s works, and resolved that he would read more, certain that in a. lack of knowledge of these works he was missing one of the joys of life. The great ’appreciation felt hv all present of the great treat given by Mr Barton was fitly expressed by Mr L. A. Taylor in moving a hearty vote of thanks, and this was carried with acclamation. Before the evening closed light refreshments were handed round by members of the institute. Thus concluded a most interesting and instructive address and a most enjoyable evening. /