Lecture on Mr John Bright

Feilding Star, Volume XIII, Issue 83, 12 January 1892, Page 2

Lecture on Mr John Bright

Under the auspices of the " Feilding Mutual Improvement Society," the Key W. Birks, of Birmingham, delivered a lecture on the late Right Honourable John Bright, in the Wesleyan Church last night. There was a fair audience, and his "Worship the Mayor (Mr W. G. Haybittle) presided. In his introductory remarks the Chairman reviewed the objects of the society, which were the social improvement of its members by the means of essays, debates, etc, and young men were reccommended to join the association, r Mr Birks gave a comprehensive review of the life of Mr John Bright. He described him as one of England's greatest patriots and most conscientions statesmen. At the age of 16 he left school for the countinghouse, and at 32 he entered Parliament as/ the member for Durham. The incidents in connection with his public and private life were briefly noted and 'his characteristics eulogistically commented on. His oratorical powers were described as the difference tween the execution of a musical genius and that of an unskilled'performer. He belonged to the Society of Friends, and the on the Mount " was the guiding star of his life. His hatred of war was strongly marked and according to his ;yiew it was akin to barbarism; His Joyalty to the moral law was unbounded, and he never allowed personal interests to clash with this, hence' -his withdrawal on one occasion from the Cabinet. Mr Bright took office in 1868; and whilst refusing the? post of ■ Secrjetery of State for India, accepted the Presidency of the Board bf Trade- The incident of Mr. Bright's visit to Manchester in 1878 was given, when a vast audience mi the Free I Trade- Hall — =on his entering the, building-^rbseas one man and spontaneously sang " Auld Lang Syne, " and such was his power over them that strong men^ere moved to' tears. Mr vß%igh¥ Sa^one of the most popular Englishmen in the United States, and during the Civil War in America he snppQrjted;,the cause of the North. H^ was a pure and noble-minded man ' wpo, being dead, yet speaketh. He was a great man because of what he achieved. An earnest appeal to the young men present to catch the -spirit .'■ of '*. this brave and pious patriot 1 brought the lecture to a close. . , . ; On the motion of Mr Wiliiam Johnston a hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mr Birks for his entertaining and instructive lecture. MrJ. C. Thompson proposed* ( and Mr H. Dixon seconded, a vote of thanks to the Chairman. In responding, both .this Chairman and lecturer considered it would be an advantage if ladies were admitted to the meetings of the society— lt was then intimated tha^i by s a; resoliiifion recently passed ladies shotdd b^ffivited to attend the meetings. , L

The benediction brought the meeting to a close. -.•■;: x.