REV. J. FLANAGAN’S MISSION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3778, 10 December 1907, Page 3

REV. J. FLANAGAN’S MISSION.

The Rev. J. Flanagan, , the famous London slum worker and evangelist, opened his mission in Foxton on Sunday morning last, when he conducted a service in the Methodist Church to a good congregation. There was a large attendance at the lecture to men only in the Public Hall in the afternoon, and in the evening at the service in the same building, there was a record attendance so far as Foxton is concerned at a religious service. The rev. gentleman has come to this dominion at the invitation of the Primitive Methodist body to conduct evangelical services right throughout the dominion, which, so far, have met with unbounded success.

Mr Flanagan possesses a very striking personality, but the strenuous work in the slums of London has told its tale upon his physique. It has sapped his vitality, stooped his form, and corrugated his brow. He is a man who has seen the worst of human degradation, and has sacrificed the best years of his life in endeavouring to uplift fallen humanity. He is what the late Mr Seddon would call a humanist. He possesses that charm of delivery peculiar to the Irish orator, and can play upon the feelings of his audience and hold them spellbound. He is a faithful servant of the Master he serves, and his influence will be felt upon thousands long after his remains have fallen to dust. The Old Land, as well as this our adopted country, is in need of such men as James Flanagan. He sees the divine spark in every man and woman, no matter how far down in the depths of sin they have fallen, and his mission is to uplift- We hope his mission throughout the dominion will result in much good. He will conduct a service in the Methodist Church to-night, and concludes his visit on Wednesday, when he will deliver his lecture, “ Fourteen years in darkest London,” in the Public Hall. All who have not yet heard him should not fail to do so to-night or to-morrow night.