Mr. Kipling’s Sermon.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXIII, Issue XXI, 19 November 1904, Page 62

Mr. Kipling’s Sermon.

Among the many parts which -Mr Rudyard Kipling has played during his eventful career, it is not generally known, says a writer in the “Sunday Strand,” that once at least he successfully figured as a preacher. It happened in this way. On board the Empress liner, on which he chanced to be crossing the Pacific, a quartermaster died, leaving a widow and a large family. The following evening there appeared on the notice board, half-way down the “Entertainment Programme,” this brief intimation: “9 pan..- Sermon by a Layman.” The saloon was crowded with curious folk at the appointed time, and Mr Kipling. from the front of an improvised platform, proceeded to preach a begging sermon of some fifteen minutes’ length. The result was gratifying. From a congregation numbering less than 200 the sum of over seventy pounds was raised —a practical proof of eloquence that many professional pulpit orators might sigh for in vain.