THE REV. L. M. ISITT'S MISSION.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXXVIIII, Issue 121222, 17 August 1896, Page 2

THE REV. L. M. ISITT'S MISSION.

" * — .► , "THE ST PAUL OP THE TEMPERANCE CRUSADE." Notwithstanding that two lag? congregations had listened to tbe Rev L. M. Isitt prior to his address in the Drill Hull, the large building was crowded with nn attentive and appreciative audience when tha distinguished temperance crator (.tapped on to the platform last evoning. Tli6 Rev Mr Spencer presided, and, after an appropriate opening hymn nnd a short prayer, briefly introduced the speaker Taking as his text the words " Fori the Lord lqve judgment, I hate robbery for burnt offering" (Isaiah lvi., 8), Mr Isitt delivered a powerfil and far-reaching sermon lecture. Prefacing his address with the contention that perfect manhood and womanhood could not exist withont an element of hate, he combated 'the principles of thoFO profe3t ing Chrisfane who believed it only right and proper to be char table to the very devil himself. For the necessity for fostering a good sound had'id cf all that was evil, the speaker passed on to the question of hypoorisy. Scarcely a sentence had left his lips ere it was seen how thoroughly Leonard Isifct detected all who sheltfivd themselves beneath the sleek coat of the hypocrite, but his lish fell with none the lass sting on those who, whilst without pluck enough to declars for God and the church, covered their own weakness behind the convenient plea that they hatred hypocrisy. When a merchant who prcressod to bo an honest trader proved to be 11 rogue, did people holi up their hands ic horror and txelaim " away with this corrupt and hypocritical comr merce, we will starve our bodies rather than have anything to do with it !" Not a bit of it. Did they, when counterfeit notes, or gold, or silver wore foisted upon them, refuse to havo more to do with the Bterlirg coin of tho realm ? if there were any who felt that way he could relieve them of their difficulty, Men did not imitite tbat which wns bad and worthless, but ho would .ay t,i thit man whose best boast was that " Ido not profess roligion and I cannot tolerate hypocrisy," for pity' j sako make no boast" at nil ! From this he led thom on to the duty of the church towards the traffic, and in cloar and forceful language Bhowed that, so far as the great drink evil was concerned, the Christian church in the teeth tf the declaration of the Scriptures had no right to identify herself with the liquor-seller — had no rio;ht to accent for use in the work of God the frnit of the degradation of the bodieß and souls of men and women. They had no right to tako the publican's money, as so long as they accepted the bribe the protest of the church would be smothered. The speaker drove this point home with unaa3werabla logic aud than proceeded to devote a little attention to the Liberty League, " a liquor defence association that bad not the pluck to run under its own colours," and a branch bf which had been formed in Christchurch. Prom the mouth of the secretary of the League himself, Mr Isitt quoted evidence Bufiicient to warrant the abolition of the traffic. " I admit," said this secretary, " that thero may be 2£ per cent of the men and woman in New Zealand who are drunkards, but what about tbe remaining 974 per cont." Did thoy know that 2J por cent meant that 17,000 men and womon in this young colony woro bound hand and foot in the fatten, of tho curse — tliat more than double the entire population of Wanganui were, according to the secretary of the liquor defence association himself, casting the shadow of their shame and the bitterness of thoir lot upon all who were bound to them by the ties of relationship? Back again to the duty of tho <jhurch, now touching on the influence of money, here instancing actual cases in which it bad been instrumental in stopping the mouth erstwhile enthusiast?, pointing out the damaging influence of the publican in the church, lighting up his dark subject with a touch of humour here or an appropriate anecdote there, Mr Isitt kopt liis audience interested for a good hour, and concluded with an earnest appeal to all who " took their glass " to give up what was rtffc3rß.il bnt a paltry gratification and, for the tako of Goi and humanity, to coron right oyer to tbe tomporance fighters. To-night Mr Teitt wilj be free front the restraint necessary to a Sundiy evening discourse, bo that the full poivur and fire of bis oiatory may be anticipated,