DR. SHELDON’S GREAT MISSION.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVII, Issue 43117, 23 July 1907, Page 1

DR. SHELDON’S GREAT MISSION.

INITIAL MEETING IN THE FREE TRADE HALL. (Continued from last issue). Following descriptions of the exact position of Kansas States in the North American Conti- , nent, as of its general characterI istics as to population; cities and 1 towns, interesting references | were made to the early struggles 'of the people in the State [against slavery, struggles.which | I had been paralleled by its later efforts on behalf of prohibition. How the State gradually conquered, and continues to triumph Dr. Sheldon frankly narrated, nothing extenuating. How the prohibition laws of Kansas have ' been made successful in the few cities, as well as in the smaller rural places, of which the State is largely composed, was graphically told ; how crime had: been decreased, pauperism virtually abolished, and savings banks !; made to flourish; how the social i S habit of drinking had been made i disreputable; how, in short, 5 whilst making allowance for certain inevitable violations! arising from lawless men and surrounding license States, the . liquor business had been, largely by the operation of public sentiment, driven out of the State, r; surely all formed a fascinating chapter in the annals of organised social effort. It is a story - ; worth the repetition, and oannot but serve as a splendid object, lesson to Great Baitain at a time when all earnest, right-minded people are awaiting the pro-, mised Licensing Bill. ! Dr. Sheldon, primarily an ( evangelist and a preacher, who refers all his efforts to the power and grace of, his Lord 1 and Master, is a thorough believer in the educational value of law and legislation, and discourses effectively on this part of his great subject. He has had prepared ten large sheets, upon which is printed in splendid large type, which may be seen at a distance, some of the outstanding facts and figures which he is making it his business to get into the British public mind. With of these he will be able in the smaller halls to vary his text and his subject to a large ex * tent. Earnest in tone as he is modest in manner, he ventured' to ask for the prayers of his well-wishers at the outset of his work. He may be assured that his request will not have been made in vain, and that as he proceeds here and there with . his message to the English? public, more and more hearts':,! will go out to him. We look upon his first meeting at Manchester as of good augury, and feel sure that he is destined to do the temperance movement in general, and the United Kingdom Alliance in particular,

signal service. A Civic Recognition. On Monday a homely but significant little function took place in the Town Hall, Manchester, where the Lord Mayor, Councillor John Harrop, had been good enough to invite to lunch a few friends to meet Dr. Sheldon. His Lordship ex« tended to Dr. Sheldon a hearty welcome and wished him success in his campaign. Dr. Sheldon, in responding, said he heartily appreciated the Lord Mayor’s kindly recognition and was delighted to meet those present. Tbre was, he believed, an es* smtial onemss between these of the English-speaking race, and such an interesting occasion as that emphasised the fact. He htd come to England to proclaim the simple message of Kansas’ twenty-six years’ experience of prohibition of the liquor traffio, which he trusted

would do good, and, at Last, i o S harm.