Mr Burnett's Mission.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5550, 23 February 1886, Page 1

Mr Burnett's Mission.

" BIG BEN AND LITTLE JOHNNY." The Theatre Eoyal was again crowded downstairs last evening, on the occasion of Mr Matthew Burnett's lecture on "Big Ben and Little Johnny." In the dress circle, where a charge is made for seats, the attendance was not so large. The chair was occupied by the Eev Joseph Berry, of StAlbans. On the platform were several clergymen, together with the Mission Choir, under the leadership of Mr H. Corrick. Mr F. W. Isitt read a portion of Scripture, and the Rev Mr Parkyn engaged in prayer. The Chairman, in hia opening remarks, was pleased to find that the big meeting in the Queen's Theatre on the West Coast Railway question had not perceptibly thinned the number of those who had come to hear Mr Burnett. He referred to a letter which had appeared in one of the morning papers, advocating neutrality on the part of the clergy when the Licensing Committee elections were on. In reply, he contended that the pulpit had for too long a time remained neutral on the question, but, so far as he was concerned, bucli a state of things would not be allowed to continue. (Applause.) He was glad to see that the Church, the world over, was waking up to a realisation of its true position in the matter. From Cardinal Manning down to the humbleßt Methodist parson, the pulpit was waking up to its duty. All were now committed to a position which admitted of no neutrality. One of the most conspicuous historical instances of neutrality on record, was the case of the man who fell among thieves on his way to Jericho. The world had witnessed too many priests and Levites passing by on the other side—too many who were indifferent to the fate of their fcllcm-men. Clergymen now-a-days were more jilivo to a feeling of anxiety to act the part of the " good

Samaritan/ and they would do all in their power to raise the fallen and prevent otherß from falling. (Applauße.) Mr J. T. Smith made several announcements in connection with the mission, after which the collection was taken up. Mr Burnett, who was greeted with loud applause, prefaced hie lecture by a reference to his work in the great Colonial centres of population. In. Melbourne, Ballarat, Bendigo, and Adelaide his labours had been crowned with immense success. But whilst he had won great trophie3 in great cities, he had won still greater victories in the numerous villages and hamlets through which he had passed. Some of the brightest gems he had gathered during the course of his lengthy experience were taken from the country districts. No place was too small or too insignificant for him to visit. An incident of a thrilling nature concerning a minister of religion who had fallen through drink during his residence in Victoria, and who was reclaimed by the lecturer in an up-country town in Otago, was related with considerable effect. The subject of the lecture for the evening — " Big* Ben and Little Johnny " — was one of a singularly humorous and pathetic «haracter. Cornwall had produoed some of the greatest men the world has ever seen. Reference was made, in passing, to the names of many illustrious Cornishmen who had made their mark in the world of science and literature. " Big Ben " was a Cornishman, who was bom not far from Penzance. In his youth he was tall, bony, and illiterate, and very fond of wrestling. He did not go to school— either State or private — and never experienced, by possession, the benefits of education. His time, when he grew up, was principally passed in the beershop. After a time he came out to Ballarat. There he became famous as a wrestler, and a terror to all and sundry when under the influence of liquor. When the lecturer met him, he was working in a mine in a township not far from that city. Ben was persuaded to attend the meeting, and eventually signed the pledge. " Little Johnny " was indeed a little fellow. But it was no disgrace to be little ; " the mind's the standard of the man." Johnny was very pugnacious, and in his youthful days had fought many pitched battles. When a young man he came out from Cornwall to the Burra Burra copper mines, and proved very successful in the moneymaking line. After a while he went to Ballarat, and then to the same township as Big Ben lived in. Here he drank and gambled to an extravagant degree. He was always ready to "shout" for the crowd ; and oftentimes stayed away from home till the small hours of the morning, gambling. Johnny attended Mr Burnett's meeting, and signed the pledge the same night that Ben did. The excitement on that occasion was something to be remembered, and created quite an impression in the township. The subsequent careers of his two heroes were of a gratifying character. Both joined Christian churches, and became thoroughly changed men. Big Ben learned to read and write, and rose to the position of class-leader and church steward. The death of "Little Johnny," who was killed by falling down a mine, was most touchingly related, and moved many of the audience to tears. In conclusion, the lecturer appealed to his hearers to search out and rescue all who had fallen in the scale of humanity, and lead them to realise the preciousness of the temperance pledge and the sacredness of religion. (Loud applause.)