Mr Tennyson Smith

Feilding Star, Volume XIV, Issue 75, 13 December 1892, Page 2

Mr Tennyson Smith

Mr Tennyson Smith opened his temperance mission in Feilding on Sunday last. Long before the commencement, the Assembly Booms were filled by a large and interested audience, and numbers had to stand. The Rev. Mr Lyon (chairman) in an appropriate speech in* troduced the lecturer, remarking that his fame had. preceded him as a herald, before the king, and it was no flattery to say that the King of Temperance Advocates was present that evening, and he w&b sore Mr Tennyson Smith would receive as hearty and cordial a welcome at Feilding as had been accorded him in the large cities of the colonies. Mr Smith was received with applause, and in bis opening remarks, said that he always felt the solemnity and importance of the great undertaking in which he was engaged. He then proceeded to instance the success which had attended his meetings in other parts, and referred particularly to the support afforded him during his stay in New Zealand, which was so pronounced and satisfactory, that he had determined to remain in this country until he had seen this drink traffic entirely swept away. The lecturer then delivered Gough's oration " For the sake of others" with splendid dramatic and elocutionary effect. After an earnest appeal for pledges from the lecturer, the pledge was signed by 71 adults, and 23 children also signing. Mr Shearer's choir rendered very effectively, the special hymns used on the occasion, the audience at the same time joining in, and singing most heartily, Mrs J. C. Thompson accompanying on the harmonium. The attendance at last night's meeting was again excellent. Mr Haybittle (Mayor) presided. Mr Smith said he was always glad to hear what his opponents had to say, and he would be pleased to answer any questions dealing with prohibition at his Thursday night meeting. If the temperance cause cannot answer for itself, then he was willing to see it go, to the wall. If on the other hand, the people of New Zealand said they wanted it, then the Government must grant it. The Government is the servant of the people, and must do their bidding. Drunkenness would be stamped out in 30 years. No man intended when he first drank, to turn out a drunkard, but he drifted into it without being aware of the fact. It was not a natural craving. If the awful penalty of delirium came with the first glass, everyone would loathe the drink. J. B. Gough's struggle was then portrayed in vivid language, and his great and terrible fight ere he finally overcame the enemy, graphically told. A number of glees were excellently sung by the class, and Miss Carthew presided at the harmonium. About 20 pledges were signed during the evening, and a vote of thanks to the lecturer and to the Mayor for presiding closed the meeting. To-morrow evening (Wednesday) Mr Tennyson Smith will give his special i entertainment " The Humorous, pathetic^ and tragic phase of Life, " which bids fair to proye one of the most interesting and amusing ever give in Feilding. °Thet lecturer's own part in the entertainment included no less than eight recitals of a yaried oharackter, some highly tra<ncal and needing all the dramatic talent he poisesses, Others emotional and touch.

ing, and other again exoedingly laughable : —"A contemporary says "to hear the tale of the Concert in R— , one would imagine Mr Smith was a perennial spring of bubbling 'humour, though in 'other recitations one realises how nearly mirth is akin to . tears." The sketch of the meeting he attended, where the performers were always late, with the exception of one young man who never disappointed anyone, and whom Mr Smith imitated in .a supposed recitation performed under the difficulties of a cold in .his head, is really inimitable. Those who from various causes have not heard Mr Smith should not miss the opportunity afforded of. hearing one of the finest elocutionists of the day in a programme Of recitals suited to all tastes and opinions ; while those who have already heard him will take care not to miss what must certamly prove one of the most attractive and enjoyable of his meetings." Local music will be rendered by several well known local amateurs, and Mr Haybittle's string band has kindly selected to give selections during the eyeniDg.