NOTES AND COMMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14567, 2 January 1911, Page 4

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

"A VISION AND ITS FULFILMENT." Undkr (his title tile National Vigilance Association has published a book which the Review of Reviews says will find itself oil the bookshelves of everyone who cares for the welfare of the human race. It is the story of the origin of the work of the 'National Vigilance Association for the Suppression of .the White Slave Traffic. The narrative is told by the man who had the honour of being set apart for the work of organising a national movement- against this national crime. Mr. W. A. Coot©' tells the story to illustrate the .illimitable power of prayer,. j J a 1898 he heard, tfie ~ t : •

word of command imperatively telling him to go forth and dedicate his whole energies to«arousing the conscience of Christendom to cope with this crying evil. Mr. Cooto knew no language but his own. he was busily engaged with hie own work, but the need was great; there was no one else to go, and the call came to him. He tells the story of how the vision, which lasted 15 minutes, was impressed upon 'him. He had cried in bitterness of soul, "How long, 0 Lord, how long?" when he fell into a kind of reverie. Whether it was a divine vision, or a day-dream inspired from on high, he knows not; but in that 15 minutes there was indelibly impressed upon his mind the orders that he had to go to every capital in Europe, forming committees everywhere _ to combat this evil, and to call an international congress with a. view to securing the co-operation of all the Governments of the world. Waking from ' his reverie he wrote down the orders which he had received, and waited for means of carrying them out. He estimated that the journey round Europe would cost £200. After careful meditation he prayed ' "Lord, if" it is Thy will that I "sir.".ild undertake this work which Thou lia t revealed to me, send me £200 and I wi'l 'do it." '"He'then win'.e to a well-to-do 'friend, telling him th"' vision and ask* in-; for the money. Hi* 'friend wrote to hi.ii that he doubted the wisdom of the sr •.-gesiibn, and, therefore, could not give tlu money. " A week later, to his immense surprise, lie received a letter from a lady only slightly' known to'' hint, enclosing a cheque ' for £200 "for your good work." The money had' come .to her unexpectedly, and she decided to send it to the National Vigilance Association. Being thus furnished with funds, Mr. Coot© went abroad, and found his way opened out before him in the most extraordinary manner. A year later an International Congress was held, and since then there have been a series of congresses and conferences. he whole story should- he read, by those who refuse to believe that-.we-are living in an age ol faith. It would be difficult to find any story, in the historic narratives of the Early. Church 'when as great a mission was undertaken with more simple faith or more remarkable results.