THE SPEECH.

Otago Witness, Issue 3245, 24 May 1916, Page 57

THE SPEECH.

[Published by Arrangement.]

Full fifty years now gone—sixteen would count the measure that my course had run— I had but, as Mclancthon had supposed, to open wide my mouth that day and speak, All men with one accord their loved and age-long habits straight would break. Yes", I was green as grass, of lime juice smelt, and tar. 1 was sincere—l will admit that far. In George Street Hall I on the platform stood, and called for volunteers unto the war Strong drink against. The Chairman, friends, you've beard, no doubt, a mouse say squeak. I have not cultivated yet the art, or qualified before the world to apeak. With calm assurance I thus tender my excuse—will strive to try and keep you all alive. About- this business now, I'll not deny I do like beer—say, ten forty-five. A little bread and cheese it sometimes goes quite high; but_ then you know beer leadeth on to gin. > . I had a friend—how I remember mm — because that I the pledge had signed, "You'll die," said he, "with snowballs and tea leaves inside—a belly full, you mind. "Slave Christmas and Good Friday, I for twenty years have never sober been." Upon those days no liquor could he get. I often saw him home as I returned from school, The jackdaw hanging in his cage beside the cottage door, to prove he was no fool, "Walk straight, Dickie, walk," would cry, so often by it seen, it seemed to know. Just like a judge he'd straighten up, would Dick, enraged, toward the bird would shake his stick. At times he'd choose a place, a now cowdung most sure, to fall, that he at homo a change of clothes might get. One night of storm, not coming home, when found—a loaf beneath his head—he lay near by a gate, * . " The water streaming by, poor iellow! rle a prophet was most true and great of his own fate. "You'll die," said he, "you'll die, with all those things inside," and then be found quite dead within a ditch. My friend, you love too much the little drop you take, with firmness now a resolution make. You may be strong, may never need to fear: that man's defiled that even touchoth pitch. Thrice armed is he whose cause is just. Christians, awake, arise, the light has come.