NOTES AND COMMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13454, 5 April 1907, Page 4

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

ROCKEFELLER'S PASTOR

Dr. Charles F. Akrd is the subject of a sketch and interview by .Tames Ha slam in the Millgate Monthly. The fact that he is taking up the pastorate of the Fifth Avenue Baptist Church, New York, one of the richest places of worship in the world, where John D. Rockefeller, King of the Standard Oil Trust, is a worshipper, lewis piquancy to Dr. Aked's humble origin. He was born in 186-1 in a working-class home in Nottingham. He started work in a coal merchant's office at 5s a week. Then he entered an auctioneer's office, and became himself an auctioneer. He was on the point of leaving for New Zealand, and had secured a berth, when he was decided by his minister. to prepare for Gospel work in England. He began his pastorate at Syston, near Leicester, and went thence to Liverpool, and later to Pembroke Chapel in that city. His battle for life with tuberculosis lias issued in victory. He ha* been cured by the open air treatment. He adheres still to this, and is not afraid of Spartan rigour. He says: —"All night my bedroom windows are wide open, and have not. been closed nor partly closed once when I have been at home since, the bouse was built. The storms rage through the room. The rain pomes in. The west wind beats the rain upon my bed. My head is as wet as if I had come out of a bath, and the pillows are wet through after a. March or November gale. But 1 am warm ami comfortable, and I have never taken a cold." His cure has made him an ardent champion against the ravages of phthisis. But cure is a question of cash. His recovery cost, him £1200. What is a poor man to do? Dr. Aked would invoke the aid of the State. He would also rely on private philanthropy. He says: —"I hope to influence rich people, who will pour out their money for a crusade to kill the disease. One object I shall have when I get to America will Ik? to win sympathy and help of people who are in a position to help, and who can do something big and memorable in the way of stamping out consumption from the Ivnglish-speaking world."