TEMPERANCE.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 745, 11 June 1886, Page 9

TEMPERANCE.

ME NOBLE’S LECTCJEE.

Mr Noble, the celebrated temperance lecturer, began a series of lectures at the Wesley Church on Monday night. There was a large attendance, and Sir William Eox occupied the chair, and Major Shannon and the Rev Mr Oliver occupied seats on the platform. Before the lecture was begun a letter wa3 read from the Private Secretary to his Excellency the Governor, expressing his Excellency’s sympathy with the mission, but stating that bis Excellency, owing to prior engagements, would be unable to attend any of Mr Noble’s meetings. The lecturer was introduced by Sir William Fox. Upon rising Mr Noble was greeted with prolonged applause. In opening his address Mr Noble expressed great satisfaction at having so staunch an advocate as Sir 'William Fox in the chair. He wished his audience to understand that his mission was not of a sectarian nature —the great cause of temperance was beyond that. Before proceeding any further, Mr Noble asked the audience if they would join with him in singing the chorus of a hymn—“ Casting all your care upon Him ; for He careth for you.” Mr Noble accompanying with a concertina. He then went on to say that it would be

waste of time for him to say that drunkenness was a ein—what he considered a blighting, withering scourge to the community. The lecturer then, by a series of anecdotes, brought with telling vividness the evils and curses of drink before his audience. More men and women, he said, had been sent to pßrdition by this evil than by any other habit under the sun. He contended that there was eternal reasomfor not drinking, and said that if hundreds of people in Wellington only kuew the reasons why they should not drink, there would be hundreds more joining in this great mission, it was wonderful to surmise what pleasure men found in sin. But did they think of what comes after it. Hid the grace of God stop drunkenness ? The grace of God was the salvation of every one who believed iu it. The lecturer, in a few earnest words, urged, that the way to annihilate the evil was to. get rid of the garrets, the outcome of the drink-

ing traffic. Get rid cf the rookeries, and then the rooks would go. He remarked that signing the pledge did not do away with drunkenness. He condemned publicans very emphatically, saying that he would rather be the man who bought the liquor than the man who sold it, in view of the great Judgment Day. “He would sooner be the most drunken sot upon the streets than the man who sold the accursed liquor.” Id conclusion,-he said he hoped he would have the assistance of his audience in his mission ; but he added that his God would not hold him responsible.for results, but for duty. The lecture was interspersed with numerous anecdotes, humorous and pathetic, and Mr Noble concluded amidst prolonged applause.