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New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXIX, Issue 21, 23 November 1907, Page 6

Manager for Messrs. Ross and Glendening, Wanganui, who fasted for 25 days, during that time taking no sustenance whatever, except lemon water, in the earlier stages of his self-imposed task, and latterly only plain water. He did not abstain from food from a freak of fancy nor to attract notoriety, his sole object being to restore his health, which had become so run down that he had been ordered to eease work and travel for a year. This being impracticable he went in for the fasting cure, with the result that he pronounces himself a new man, and he is most enthusiastic over his experiment.

MR. DOBSON, OF 88. KEITH-STREET, WANGANUI, who is one of the keenest of the antifooders in the river township, and says he wishes his ease made known for the sake of humanity. He fasted for 50 days, but broke his resolve twice. When the photograph was taken a few days ago lie had fasted for 35 days continuously, and was still fasting. He says he is enjoying splendid health, and was never better.

The eminent Primitive Methodist missionary preacher, now visiting New Zealand. The Rev. James Flanagan, who is visiting the Dominion for special mission work among the churches is an honoured minister of the Primitive Methodist Church in England. He has been for 35 years engaged in mission work chiefly among the lapsed crowds of his own country. In the year 1891 he was minister of the church worshipping in the Albert Hall, Nottingham, his native city, the city which also gave General Booth to the world. Here for five years he was privileged to minister to one of the largest congregations in England. The men’s class associated with his church was the largest in the world, having no less than 2800 men in membership. It was while Mr. Flanagan was engaged in this important work that the Primitive Methodist Conference, called him into the full ministry of that church. Knowing his intense sympathy with the poor and wretched of the cities, he was deputed to attempt the difficult task of solving the evangelisation of the people of the worst slums in London. Here for 14 years he toiled with marvellous success. In eight years he travelled over

200,000 miles, preached and lectured thousands of times, and in the proceeds of his lectures and sermons was able to raise the sum of £21,000. He built the beautiful block of buildings on the Old Kent-road, London, at a cost of £lO,OOO. His name is a household word in his own country. His daring faith, his unflinching courage, his successful ministry among those most difficult of all to reach by the Christian Gospel, has won for him a place in the affection of all who love their country. In recognition of the

noble work Mr. Flanagan has done among the outcast crowds of London, the Honourable Corporation of the City gave him as a free gift £4500 worth of their most valuable land on which to erect St. George’s Hall. They also presented him with a gift of 100 guineas out of the public purse as a contribution to the work of his mission. Mr. Flanagan is visiting the various centres of the Dominion, and our readers would do well to hear from his own lips, in public utterance, the thrilling story of his work.