“THE SLAVE ORATOR.”

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1368, 12 October 1886, Page 2

“THE SLAVE ORATOR.”

Tho .Wosleyar Sunday School anniversary celebration terminated last night, when Mr F W IsUt gave his promised lec ture, entitled “ Fred Douglas, slave orator and emancipationist ” Itta notMten that an Ashburton audience is privileged to listen ti a.' elocutionist vt Mr Liti'a stamp, and any financial pr fit wh’ch ’ho Wesleyan ‘■'no .ay School derives from his visit, will not bear oomparis >n with the ; leaa to and instruction which ha hsi afforded those who heard him on Sunday and list night. The church was comfortably fil ed last evening, and the Rev D. MoNlcjll occupied the chair. After opening the proaedings with a brief prayer the Rev Chairman formally introduc'd Mr luitfc who at once commenced to deliver his lecture on Fred Ornglas, who, born a slave, and continuing so for some years, ultimately escaped, and at once set to work to liberate those who were still in bondage. Douglas w*' at one time a colleague ct the famous John Brown, who died equal to a martyr’s death at Harper’s Ferry. Douglas, who had educated himself, eventually became a most finished speaker and orator, a senator, and the friend of Abraham Lincoln. He is still living, and though as a slave lad he more than once quarrelled with the house dog over a bone, he is now the owner of one of the most palatial residences in America, anji his home is the resort of ’he wealthy and cultured of the laud. Before closing his lecture Mr Isitt drew sotae parallels between the system of slavery and tho present drink traffi;, and prophesied that, as surely as the hateful slave trade had succumbed, so would this great bane oc s iciety be wiped out of existence 1 Soma most appropriate slav songs ware Introduced at intervals, and fitted in very well with the lecturer’s fascinating story. A more graceful compliment could - hardly have been given than that which Mr Isitt, by moans of a humorous anecdote, paid tothe young lady to whom was entrnsted the solo—“ I’m troubled in mind," Mr Gamble who wielded tho baton, also sang “Rule Britannia," and the whole musical arrangements were highly priseworthy. Miss Murray playod the accompaniments with accuracy and expression. Mr Davi 1 Brown proposed a vole of thanks to Mr la'tt, lecture he characterised as a “ doublebarrelled one,” and referred In eulogistic terms to tho lecturer's enthusiasm in the cause of temperance. Mr Brown also hinted at the possibility of the jubilee slng-Ts paying a visit to Few Zealand, in which case be hoped they- would put Ashburton In their programme of engagements. The motion was seconded by Mr R. Alcorn and carried most enthusiastically. Mr Isitt biiefly responded and the proceeding closed with the benediction