A RELIGIOUS PAPER ON REVIVALS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 4164, 23 June 1875, Page 3

A RELIGIOUS PAPER ON REVIVALS.

The John Bull—a religious newspaper— strongly condemns the Moody-cum-Saukey performances as mischievous in character and result: —" Thus we have converted thieves aud burglars, converted prize fighters, converted colliers, converted clowns, and •converted gipsies, in the ' pulpit,' or thrust forward on platform, to detail the-v experiences. A certain number of such persons may be credited with honesty of feeling and honesty of purpose, but it is equally notorious that many who have been, or are still, mixed up with sensational religionism or prominent reformers are arrant impostors, who are merely making dupes of their supporters, and earn;ng a very good and comfortable livelihood out of the credulity of a certain section of the public. The whole system of sensation preaching and preachers, and of revivalist meetings as generally conducted, is fraught with abuse and multifarious evils ; and though here and there a bearer, overcome by excitement, is turned from the error of his way, little permanent good is effectc 1, and the ' conversions' are more frequently than not of a temporary character ; while direct insanity or outrageous fanaticism is often the result of revivalist movements, as even the relatively moderate | proceedings of Messrs Moody and S inkey testify. The history of so-called 'revivals'in all ages and countries, with whatever form of Christianity they have been connected, when they have chiefly depended on sensational s rvicts and preaching, is not of such a character as would lead reasonable perI sous to anticipate much good result from | sii'ih levivals in the present day, and in this ■ country. Mere mental excitement and spiritual hysteria is not that ' true religion ' preached and taught by the Great Master and His Apostles, or by the Fathers of the early Church." DEATH OF MR A. THOMSON, ARCHITECT, GLASGOW. «©> We believe that the subjest of the follow- | ing obituary notice, which we take from the | Glasgow Herald, was known to many who are now resident in Ota go :— In the passing away of Mr Alexander I Thomson. Glasgow loses one of her mnst ! accomplished architects. For some time Mr I Thomson, had be n in failing health, and j since the clisi; of the yoar he had been elm-fly contined to his house, although still able to carry on his work under the disadvantages of seclusion aud impaired health. On (Saturday evening, however, more alarming symptoms presented themselves, and yesterday morning the end came. Mr Thomson, who vaa a native of Bilfron, in Stirlingshire, came to this city about the year lS'2-1, and after working for some time uudcr Mr Robert Foote, architect, he entered the oftice of the late Mr John Baird, sou., with whom he retrained for 13 years. In IS-i!) he entered into partnership with Mr John Baird, junior, of this city, his brother-in-law ; and, after nine years, he joined his brother in business, under the firm of A. and G. Thomson, the brothers afterwards associating with tlwns;'lves Mr Turnbull, who still remains a partner. Mr Thomson, in the very outset of his career, exhibited great fondness for Greek architecture, to the study of which in after years he became increasingly devoted, and which formed the basis of his most successful achievements in art. He had more than a local reputation ; and was so much identified with the bold and massive, yet graceful, style which he had adopted that he came to be known amougst his friends as "Greek Thomson," partly in compliment, and partly to distinguish him from the rather numerous brotherhood of Thomsons in the same profession in the city. As to Mr Thomson's work in Glasgow, it may be seen in the various public and j private editices erected from his designs in almost all the principal streets of the city and suburbs. His productions are eminently charactetised by originality of conception, grandeur of composition, and beauty of detail. L The problem he seemed to be solving

was the adaptation of "Greek —the most perfect of all s L.yle3 of architecture—to buildings suited to all'purposes ; and of this mention was mane -Lttle more than a wtek ago in a discussion in one of the architectural soeieii< s of London. Jii'leed, the f«nne <>f " Greek Thomson." of Glasgow, seemed to be as familar to Lowloii architects as to those of his own city. A couise of ke'tires which, in spring of last >ear. iie f.ddiv.-sed t> the suid«uts «,f the il il.laue .Academy were distinsjuislie I l>y b ldness of i<lea, passages of tVnder beauty, inti a el ar, forcible, often happily < piat-ammatic expression, and gave to many who heard the.Ti the impression that he was no less our ablest art critic than our greatest architect. His works were all the result of bhe more careful study ; aud his intenors, with which the public are necessarily less acquainted, are as rcmai k ible for beauty, the off-pring of truth, and originality, as are his elocution and facades. The professional career of Alexander Thomson marks, or rather makes, an era in the architectural history of Glasgow, and his death is a L ss to art.^ In private life Mr Thomson was a most genial man—staunch and true to his friends, and kindly and considerate to all. He is lamented by his widow and a family of five daughters and two sons. Strajjukrs paying a .isit 10 t/uiiemn are often at a loss to know which is the best establishment to visit for the purchase of drapery and clothing. Herbert, Haynes, and Co. offer special advantages to the public j that can be met with nowhere else in the city. They I keep at all times the largest and best assorted stock of j every class of goods, imported direct from the leading ' manufacturers and warehousemen at home, which*!-' being bought entirely upon cash terms, they are enabled to offer goods of such sterling value as cannot i be equalled by any other house in the trade. Every article in stock is marked at a fixed price for reidy money, from which no abatement is ever made, so that the most inexperienced buy their goods at the same price as the best judges. Their terms are—net cash, without discount or reduction of any kind. A fuller description o their stock will be found in an advertisement in the first nacre of this mi>er.—TAdyt. Vali-ablk Djscovkiiv foii tiik Hair.—lf your hair is turning grey or whit--, or falling off, vise "The Mexican Hair Renewer," for it will positively restore in every case grey or white hair to its original colour, without leaving the disagreeable smell of most " Restorers." It makes the hair charmingly beuitiful, as well as promoting the growth of thehairon laid spots, where the glands are n-t decayed. Certificate from Dr Versmaun on every bottle, with full particulars Ask your nearest Ch-mist for "The Mexican Hair Renewer," prepared by HkvkvC. Galut, 193 Oxford street, London, aud sold everywhere, at 3a GM mr tottle. ' Flwumsk!—For the Tbkth axd Biikath — A few drops of the liquid - Floriline" sprinkled on a wet tooth-brush produce a pleasant lather, which thoroughly cleanses the teeth from all parasites or imHiiHes. hardens the gums, prevents tartar, stops decay, gives to the teeth a, peculiar pearly-whiteness, and a delightful fragrance to the breath. It removes all unpleasant odour arising from dccaied teeth or tobacco smoke. "The Fragrant Fi riline,» beiii" composed in part of h.iney and sweet herbs, is delicious to thu taste, ana the greatest toilet discovery •>f the age sold everywhere" at 2s (id. Prepared by Hkxrv C Gai,u-i\ 403 Oxford street, London. Advick to MoniEits.—Arc you broken in your rest by a sick child suffering with the pain of cutting teeth ? Go at once to a che.uist and get a bottle of Mrs Wixslow's Sootiiixci Syrui-. It'will relieve the poor sufferer iinmcdiatelv. It is perfectly harmless and pleasant to the t;iste ; it produces natural, quiet sleep by relieving the eliiid from p-.ni, and the little cherub awakes "as bright as a button " It soothes the child, it softens the gum-, allays all pain, relieves wind, regulates .he bowels, and is the lest known remedy for dysentery and diarrhoea.whetlier arising from teething or other causes. Sold everywhere at Is 111 per bottle. Manufactory— Hl3 Oxford street Lo»doi!. uau