MR BURNETT'S MEETINGS.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7547, 22 September 1886, Page 3

MR BURNETT'S MEETINGS.

Yesterday at noon Mr Burnett paid a visit to the Government raikvay workshops and addressed a number of the men there employed. He was well received, and was heartily thanked for his visit. In the afternoon Sir Biirnett visited for a second time the district school, and secured a large number of pledges from scholars who haa not previously joined any Band of Hopo, or taken tho blue ribbon. In the evening Mr Burnett addressed a large and enthusiastic meeting in tho Gaiety Theatre. The chair was taken by tho Rev. W. Baumber ; who briefly addressed the meeting in introducing the lecturer. ■ ; Mr Baumber made special reference to Cardinal Manning and his untiring labors ,in connection with the temperance movement. '" Mr Burnett announced Ids subject as " The Illustrious Father Matthew ; the Lesson of his Life." After paying an eloquent tribute to the man through whose instrumentality Father Matthew was induced to take tho pledge, the lecturer described the first lemporance meeting hold by the subject of his lecture, and told of tho marvellous success which immediately began to attend Father Matthew's work. At the end of three months no less than 25,000 persons had taken tho pledge, at the end of six months 60,000, and at the end of twelve months 200,000. The lecturer urged that God always raised up men to do special work, and without doubt Father Matthew was so called. His life was one long-continued success in the work so dear to him. The secret of his success was not in his eloquence, but in his deep and heartfelt sympathy with his fellow men in their noeds. All felt that in him they had a true friend. So great was the success he achieved that in Watorford 80,000 took the pledge in three days, and in Dublin alone 200,000 became his disciples. He did not escape calumny, but in this lie was only like many other great and good men. His successful work in England^ Scotland, and the United States was dwelt upon, and some amusing incidents were narrated. So great was his success that in ten years no less than 8,000,000 persons took from him the pledge. After describing his welcome back to Corkby 50,000 of his countrymen, and tho touching death scene of tho great and good Father, the lecturer closed a most eloquent address by inviting, all presont to take the pledge, tho invitation being accepted by a large number.