A REVIVALIST.

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 522, 19 September 1902, Page 1

A REVIVALIST.

REV. JAMES LYALL.

AX INTERVIEW. The Rev. James Lyail is at present conducting special evangelistic services in Napier. Mr Lvall is announced as “ Scot-tish-Amcrican,” and this combination of national characteristics is strikingly evident in his appearance and manner. Ho is a man in the early prime of life. Born in Edinburgh 33 years ago ho has the Scotch sturdiness of stature, with an overlaying of distinctly American animation. He has the deep, somewhat gruff voice and accent of a broad-chested Scot. On the platform the row cage works off his voice, and his delivery is wonderfully impressive. He has a perfectly natural manner, and is frankness itself in tho home and on the platform. Robustness and manliness are not always associated with evangelists, and the possession of these make Mr Lyall essentially a preacher to men. He is a convert of the celebrated John McNeill, aud was educated in Aberlin (U.S.j University, and ordained to the ministry at Cleveland, Ohio. But he soon felt the call to a roving mission to the churches that has led him to visit a great part of the world. This fact led to the first question of our interview : We believe, Mr Lyall, that you are a man of wide travel and cosmopolitan sympathies ? Yes I I have covored considerable ground in this old planet. I have been clean across America. I have travelled all over Canada, the British Isles, and a great part of Europe. For eighteen months now I have been working the Australian Commonwealth and Now Zealand. My sympathies ought to bo wide. I have preached to the Red Indians in North America, to negroes in Southern America, to Gormans in Chicago, through an interpreter. I ha\ e addressed the young men of Britain and America assembled in Paris.

What has been your object in these wide travels, Mr Lyall'? Well, I have never travelled for mere travelling’s sake. I never go on to a place unless the pressure of a call is too great to be resisted. I held off from coming to Australasia. Didn’t want to come. But I was constrained. Have you been favorably impressed by the audiences in the colonies ?

Yes, distinctly so! I find colonial people very bright and responsive. They remind me very much of American people. The typo being produced here is more American than English. Tho people are bright and alert, and delivered in some measure from tho heaviness of tho Home folks. Yot in one respect I am at a disadvantage here. At home there is a more definite religious tmosphere and a fuller knowledge of the Bible. I have to tako less for granted here than I would at Homo. How does the social condition of the people hero compare with what obtains elsewhere ?

It compares more than favorably. There is a better home and better living to be obtained here for the working man than anywhoro. The conditions of labor are easier. In the building up of institutions colonials have taken their cue from America, and in some cases surpassed her. The aggressiveness and general go-ahead-ness of your city life in the colonies is decidedly American. The Home people have failed to grasp the immense expansion and commercial growth in these southorn lands.

Have you had any opportunity of discovering the physical beauties of this country ? I have. As a tourist resort and pleasure ground New Zealand is charming. My knowledge is almost confined to the North island and I consider the scenory wonderful. I have seen Wellington district, Wanganui, Taranaki, Eotorua, Auckland, The harbor at the last named place is a dream of beauty. Speaking for myself I seriously prefer its beauties to those of Sydney harbor. The distances and extensiveness of view add a charm Sydney does not possess. Then, too, I have seen the Rhine in Germany, and believe that for pure natural beauty the upper reaches of the Wanganui excel that great river. Of course, the Rhine has historical associations, and has legendary and literary traditions that fascinate tho interest. Still, the Maoris give a picturesqueness to the Wanganui scenery that almost makes up. What is your impression of the native raco here as compared with others you have met ?

The Maori is ahead of them all. It is to bo hoped that you people will see that this fair race does not follow the fate of the American Red Indian. That race is being steadily swept into the Pacific and out of existence. Give the Maori a chance.

What do you think of Napier ? A model of order and beauty. When arriving on Saturday evening the lights on the hills prepared one for a picture of loveliness. I rank this city next „o Auckland for natural beauty. I have been struck and surprised by your fine shops—some of them are fully equal to those in our large cities. Let me say just here, too, that I have been hospitably entertained everywhere, and I think the New Zealanders a kindly hospitably people. What are the church prospects in the colonies ?

Never better. Everywhere great revivals are in progress. In Brisbane I saw hundreds converted. In Sydney in one fortnight 5000 professed conversions. There have been great responses to the Gospel in Christchurch, Wellington, and Auckland. You may be sure Napier is going to havo a sharo in the spiritual uplift, Under what conditions is your best work being done, Mr Lyall ? Well, as you are doing here. Unite the churches. Preach in halls. Everywhere I Go to the people if they won’t come to church.

We hear there are some objections to such work as yours, even among church people. What have you to say to that'? Just this: The church member who does not believe in soul-saving work is an out-of date, a back number. Tell them to come aloug and not judge from hearsay. —(Telegraph.)