MR W. B. B. CREAGH.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 October 1919, Page 3

MR W. B. B. CREAGH.

There was a good congregation at tho Methodist and Presbyterian churches on Sunday to hear Mr W. D. B. Creagh, of Sydney. Mr Creagh is associated in Sydney with the Rev. R. B. S. Hammond, together they have laboured amongst those who have come down in the social scale. Mr Oroagh’s text was the Bth verse of the 35th chapter Isaiah. It speaks of a highway, a way of holiness, and it shall be for those, the wayfaring men, though fools shall not err therein. Mr Creagh’s deseripion of liow he himself got on to the way was most 1 interesting. • Intended in the first inst--1 anee for the medical profession, he early got into loose company, and while under tlio influence of liquor he quarrelled with his father, leaving home never to return again. Ho lived carej lessly, had a very varied experience, * continuing to live in the east end of London; then going to America ho toured that country with a boxing booth; back to London ho joined the Army, serving under Kitchener in tho Khartoum and Boer War campaigns. After the Boer War his health broke down, tho doctor said, through hard I war service and hard drinking; ho then

i went to Australia, where out in the back blocks he worked, continuing to drink; lie often carried the swag, eventually getting to Sydney ho became a dead-beat. i A shower of rain drove him into a meeting for men, he only meant to get into the porch, but looking in ho heard the Rev. Hammond road from the hible tho parable of the Prodigal son. He could not move and tho words so fitted liis own life, they made him think, and to-day he is stil] thinking and believes that the Master spoke to him. He had a tough fight to got back, but managed it. Wanting others to got baok ho start-

ed out to help those who, like himself, made shipwreck of their lives. For the last six and a half years he went every morning as Rev. Hammond’s assistant to the Central Police Court, was locked in with the prisoners, taking soup and bread with them.; he has given nearly 9000 pledges. Mr Creagh narrated some tragic instances of the ravages of alcohol; his sincerity enlists the confidence of his audience, he knows what lie is talking about. He does not denounce the drinker or seller of liquor. Rather, a man knowing the misery in the business lie wants the example of his own redemption convey its message of hope to those who feel the pinch of the alcohol habit.