“ THEN AND NOW.”

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1400, 6 November 1886, Page 2

“ THEN AND NOW.”

A very interesting lecture, under the above appropriate title, was given last evening in the Wesleyan Church, Cam* ron street, by the Rev Joseph Berry, the proceeds in aid of the Hems Mission Fund.—There was a moderate attendance about 100 persons—the sex s about equally represented—being present, and the chair was occupied by Me D. U, Brown. After singing the 147th hymn the Bev D. MoNfcoll announced the object of the lecture, which ho stated was to assist the Home Mission by ra’sing for its funds the sura oi £2O, which amount was apportioned to the Ashburton circuit deferring to previous endeavors in this direction the rev gent emm stated that last year the sum of £2600 wis raised, Ashburton accounting for £2l of the t>tal. Very liberal contributions had bean received 'from Willowby, which place deserved credit tor equalling in amount the town collections. He had expected to see a much larger attendance, but this absence was probably to be accounted for by the recent effor's to augment the Ohurch funds by riieans of the Bazaar, or by selecting the church for the place of the lecture instead of engaging one of the town halls. Mr Brown then briefly introduced the rev lecturer, who was received with applause Mr Berry commenced by alluding to the size of his audience, remarking that at first he had been inclined to attribute the small attendance to the fact of his having previously lectured here, the people thus having had an oppnrtnnitv of “ taking his measure." He was glad, however, to hear that other causes had probably accounted for the absence of many—The lec'urer then proceeded to contrast, with startling truthfulness, ‘ the times” in the early part of the century with these of late years, showing conclusively, in a moat instructive address, that we have made considerably improvement in many ways, notwithstanding the oft-repeated regret about “ things not being as they used to be," Commencing with the 30th June, 1837, he related how the present Queen of England bad been informed of her high elevation, deducing from the fact that Her Majesty’s first request, upon hearing the news, was that the Archbishop of Canterbury would pray for her, that the young Queen’s early training had been greatly different from that of most of her c; n’emporaries In support of this, he further alluded to Her Majesty's high sense of justice, always tempered by mercy ; instancing also the Queen’s treatment of Paimeiston, who | altered a State document after it had been signed, to show that the Sovereign was not merely an ornament to the Empire, as had been alleged. Mr Barry eulogised the life of Q leen Victoria, which he contended had bean a most virtuous and noble one, and he expressed pleasure that oue of Her Majesty’s latest acts had been to support Mr Stead’s Social Purity movement. The lecturer then went back and drew a correct picture—so far as may be judged from history—of Court life in the reign of eorge IV. The King, he stated was noted for two things—his excessive i drunkenness and h ! s love of dress. An amusing anecdote was civtn of a ridiculous bet made by William with his favorite tailor, in which the latter “after a trial,” backed, for a large sum, geese against turkeys to travel faster over a 1 course of ten miles. The discreditable life of William thalV., who commenced his reign with an oath in his mouth because he was handed a bad pen, was next reviewed. Mr Berry digress ad by quoting the statement of England’s exPrime Minister that tbo wealth of the world during the third part of this century ; had increased more than in the whole of i any previous century. It was said that the 1 rich were gradually becoming richer and 1 the poor poorer, but he combated this view by quoting the price of bread and meat may years ago, when It took a working man a full day to earn the price , of a Alb loaf. As for meat consumption the poorer classes might just as well have been expected to live on diamonds 1 The housing of the poor was now very much better than it was 50 years ago, when 1300 persons occupied 13 houses, an average of one hundred per house. A ■ return showed that fourteen persons lived ' in one room, married people, widows, single girls and young men occupying the same compartment without the slightest feeling of shame. Drunkenness was also decreasing rapidly : In 1831 a return showed that 20 per 1000 were addicted to this common vice ; in 1881 the proportion was 5 per 1000, and the number of public bouses had been greatly reduced. The lecturer next dealt with the gigantic strides made by the public press, and in doing so paid a high tribute of praise to the literary writers of the day. News of the whole world was now known in every town of importance within 24 hours of its occurrence, while intelligence of the battle of Waterloo did not teach the Sovereign till three days had elapstd. News of Wellirgton’a great victory was then distributed throughout the Kingdom by means of the old stage coaches, which travel cd at the rate of about 8 miles an hour. How long it w s before the people of E linbnrgh knew the result he left them to guess. Education had also advanced with the latter and bet er times In 1839 the House of Commons carried an education vote of only £38,000 by two votes; now the colony of New Zealand spent over £4OO,COD in educating its children. Ho spoke in support of the present system of education, his remarks meeting with approval. The lecturer next contrasted the condition of the Sunday Schools “Now and Then.” when teachers were paid Is and Is 6d per d?y with an allowance rf a certain quantity of beer. The conduct of the clergy bad also been greatly altered: In the • any days it was not au uncommon thing for ministers to get drunk, and on special occasions when visiting clergyman officiated they made special collections in order to supply rum. As an instance of whit was then going on he related that a sponing cleric was observed to travel to bis ohurch with dogs and gun, and, immediately after the service, to call on the Catholic priest to take part in the destruction of game. The priest was willing, and in company they set off to induce ths Presbyterian pastor to join them, but the latter was, so it was t >ld, too drunk to take part in the expedition. The story was given on the authority of William Arthur, and such a state of things was not likely, he thought, t> again happen. Mr Berry concluded bv referring to the great strides mide by legislators all over the world in improving the criminal laws, in the advanced condition of the poorest laboring classes (thanks to the eflhrts of Lard Shaftesbury), and also expatiated upon the gigantic and successful efforts of Christ’s servants in the cause of religion On the motion of Mr H. M Jones, seconded by Mr All son, a very hearty vote of thanks was accorded by acclamation tt the lrc;arer, who briefly acknowledged the compliment. 1 Toe Rev Mr McNicoll announced that 1 his rev friend will preach In Ashburton : to-morrow, at both morning and evening services. A hymn was then sung, during which a collection was taken up, resulting iu the j sum of £4, after which the pastor of the j church pronounced the benediction. t