THE REV. W. READY'S LECTURE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 181, 17 July 1900, Page 3

THE REV. W. READY'S LECTURE.

It must have been very gratifying to Mr. Ready on delivering his lecture on Monday evening, at tbe Whiteley Msmoral Church, to find the building densely packed by an audience who I were at once thoroughly sympathetic and full of interest in the story of his life. As a" lecturer Mr. Beady possesses all those happy mrans of making his subject interesting and instructive, which enhances the effect of such recitals. Voice, gesture, and a wonderful play of features all help to emphaaise'the rapid How of words with which Mr. Beady graphically describes the various periods of his most eventful life. Tbe process of evolution from a street arab to a minister of the Gospel is one that is bound to be replete with incidents which appeal alike to, the serious and the humorous sides of our .nature. Even now there are traces in the lecturer of that early waif life that are apparent to anyone who has come closely into contact with those alert, quick-wittei and preternatuyaUy cunning, homeless, and'destitute lads to be foUnd in all parts of the Great j Metropolis. Yet these little traits which are left only 'serve to show in a j blighter and loftier light the effects of those reining influence?, both bodily and I spiritual which htm get their seal with' such a marked effect on the leverend

gentleman. In recounting the vicieei- i nudes of hig eaily life. In* «*•'- i -" L--• ; 1 ' " „»ou much ' ".. . I ...-uvuii oy giviug au illustration ( [without accessories) of how the shoeblacks work. Every action from stari to Jinish was ictaubtly natural and lifelike, especially the finale, where the collection came in : the latter pari oi the business, said the lecturer, wat-. very good briuging-up for a Methodisi parson, and, he added, it was far easier to put a shine on dirty boots than to brighten a black character. His description of the itinerant vendors in the New Out was inimitable, as indeed were all the sketches he portrayed. Whether in grave moods or gay he was always .natural, while the continual flashes ol Artemus-Ward-like humour served to give colouring and point to the vivid ocenes he was depicting. The description of the kind-hearted missionary auo his wife who first took him in hand, o'> the Miieller Orphanage' and of the grand long-beard&d miller to whom In was apprenticed and under whose guidance he started on his Christian life, Uasfullof interest and at times most pathetic, but perhaps at no pait o£ his JH 3gL«p|Hs 94 w

| bis description of his first and last "bell-topper," or "silker," with its room to let. Towards the close of the lecture, when recounting one of his street preaching experience?, he related how he got an audienco by the attraction of a song, and singing ina yery Iweet voice a verse of " ©h! Where's My Boy To-Night? he asked the audience to join in the refrain, and the church was immediately filled with a volume of sound, the effect 'of which was moetstiiring. Forover two hours Mr. Rtady entertainod his large audience, most of whom would gladly have listened for two hours more. At the close a very hearty vote of thanks was accorded to him, and it was a compliment he well deserved.