Lecture on America

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 7012, 26 June 1894, Page 3

Lecture on America

As was anticipated a rare treat was enjoyed ' by those who listened to the Rev. VV. j Morley's lecture last night at Wesley Church on " What I saw and beard m America-" j Three years ago three months were spent m the United States during the lecturer's mission as a delegate from the Australasian Conference to the Methodist Ecumenical Conference at Washington. As the lecture proceeded it was very soon evident that to his great gifts as a speaker were to be added powers of closest observation and powers of wide and common sense application. Though the lecture occupied more than an hour m delivery, the closest attention of the audience was sustained throughout. The various objects of interest graphically described, the happy blending of humour with dry fact, the practical application of hidforical events, and the eloquence of the speaker all combined, as we have just' remarked/to give a rare treat to the audience assembled. The lecturer emphasised the greatness of the country. Any of the 45 ■States being realms of which any sovereign might well be proud. The population of 62£ millions was increasing at the rate' of 10,000 per week.. The immense engine manufactories of Pennsylvania, one of which turned out 14 locomotives every week, the great meat stores of Chicago, one of which employed 8000 men, the wonderful flour trade of Minneapolis, where was found the mill which on account of its prodigious output was boasted of as being the eighth wonder of the world, the stupendous buildings of Chicago, m one instance upwards of 20 stories high ; these with other kindred illustrations, when combined with wonderful Niagara, immense rivers, high mountains etc. all tended to produce profoundest impressions of the bigness of the new world. The natural scenery of thp country was compared with that of other countries, and with many natural features of New Zealand, but was not extolled, with the exception of the great Falls of Niagara and the 1000 isles of St. Lawrence, which received/ eloquent nourtrayal at the hands of the lecturer. Many historic spots, such as Plymouth Bock, the Mecca of America, the State House of Pennsylvania, its Medina, and the White House of Washington were vividly described, and their lessons powerfully applied. The distinct journalistic enterprise was very happily dealt with, illustrations given evoking much amusement. Many aspects of social life were also referred to. The people were democratic, yet there abound railway kings, oil kings, silver kings, etc. Progress and enterprise were everywhere to be noted. The peroration of the lecturer included the idea of a grand federation of the Englishspeaking language, the happy embrace of capital and labor with the enforcement of the scriptural dictum " Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them." The lecture concluded amidst the hearty applause of the audience. The Mayor, who occupied the chair, expressed his great delight at being present to listen to such a lecture. On the motion of the Rev. T. N. Griffin, a hearty vote of thanks was carried to the lecturer and to the Chairman. .