RETURN TO THE COLONIES 0 THE REV. CHARLES CLARK

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1600, 4 July 1887, Page 3

RETURN TO THE COLONIES 0 THE REV. CHARLES CLARK

Everybody all over the colonies will be glad to learn that Mr R. 8. Symthe (who has so successfully managed the New Zealand tour of the Royal Opera Company), received yesterday a London cablegram from the Rev Charles Olack, the celebrated lecturer, stating that he would be leaving England this month for Australia. It m nine years since Mr Olark was m JJew Zealand, bui the recollootion of his remarkable lectures and recitals is still frt Bh m the general memory. Several eminent men have visited the colonies m the meantime and made lecturing tours — Proctor, Forbes, Sala, and others— bit none attracted such crowded audiences, for none possessed the aame brilliant oratorical powers. Amongst his moat popular subjects were the " Tower of London" and " Westminster Abbey, "and Mr Smytho thinks that Mr Clark's sudden resolve to revisit the scenes of bis former triumphs m\y have sprung from the deep impression which would b<* nude upon hia ardent nature by . the pagaantry and patriotism of the Jubilee celebrations m what he would call ",Tha Great Motherland," and which no one could more graphically describe. But whatever may be the immediate cause of the Rev Charles Clark's return, there is no doubt that he will be heartily weloomed by everyone who ever listened to his delightfut discourses about Goldimlth, Dickens, Thackeray, and Mtoaulay, as well as by the new generation of young men and maidens that has grown up since the accomplished orator was last here.

For more than six years Mr Clark has been living m London, where he ia pastor of the Haven Gieen Obureb, a handsome edifice, which cost nearly £10 000, a splendid example of modern eoolesiaatical architecture, of whloh perhap3 the very best specimen is the New O!d South Church, m Boston, l/.S. Mr Clarke's church, which la situated opposite the la«t western etitiun on the Metropolitan Ralway, ia eur rounded by a garden filled with choice plants, and on entering, (he spectator ia struck with admiration by the beauty of the design A gallery runa all round the building, aad Instead of a palpit there is a spacious platform. Ia the gallery, at the back of whiuh is a splendid organ, the tall lancet windows are filled with stained glais of exquisite hues ; and m place of the ordinary vestry, there are a libraiy, a study, and elegantly furnlshei reception and retiring rooms. I a this mtgnificent temple, twice every Sunday, the former minister of Broadmead Chapel, Melbourne, preaohea to a crowded congregation, which, eiren m the moet inclement weather, always include* visitors from all parts of the great metropolis ; and here" the keen eyes of the preacher frequently fall on the faoes of f; lends whom he has known m the Great Southern band, — " New Zealand. Herald,"