MRS McPHERSON

Hokitika Guardian, 23 October 1928, Page 2

MRS McPHERSON

A WILD WELCOME

(United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copy right f.

LONDON, Oct. 19. One thousand Glasgow Undcr-grad-uste.s were in 11 hilarious mood in • connection w i til the Rectorial Elccti 01s, "and gave an amazing reception to Mrs Aimee McPherson (the American Evangelist) Ijn the University Debating Hall. Four hurley students squatted on 'the floor below the platform, playing “pontoon.” Others whisked empty beer and whisky hotth s from their; pockets and they' placed a glass of beer in lieu, of water on the speakers’ table. Twelve girl students. under a police “Ladies may smoke” • puffed cigarettes.' Placards bung from the c’.Meries inscribed “Have you brought your’ chewing gum.” “Here’s ...to gopfl olclwhisky !’ ’ ; The card players shied cards on to the platform and everybody rose and sang “Oh. Aimoo Dear. Me love von. so l Do we?—Hell.” “Here’s to Good Old Whisky.” One galleryite lowered a boor bottle in front of the bewildered, evangeR. t. Paper streamers-submerged the platform. . Mrs McPherson coughed and refused a proffered glass of beer. She referred to her schooldays, evoking the chorus “Old Soldiers Never Die.” “I am scared stiff,” she said. “Let’s have a couple of minutes for dear Lord Jesus.” She prayed emotionally, amid a temporary silence. A. resumption of the. uproar led 1 the Chairman to appeal for fair play, sulting in a courteous hearing. lhe in tempters were won over iby her story of an undertaker when burying an nth cyst, remarking, “Poor man. He does not believe in Heaven 01 Hell. He is all dresed up and has nowhere to go.”

The students terminated the pro erodings with the Varsity anthem and tied streamers to the car in which. Mrs McPherson drove off, remarking as she went: “They’re just typical College hoys and girls.”