The Manawatu Herald. SATURDAY, DEC. 14, 1907. A DISTINGUISHED VISITOR.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3778, 14 December 1907, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. SATURDAY, DEC. 14, 1907. A DISTINGUISHED VISITOR.

The Rev. J. Flanigan, of Eondon, has come and gone. Very few people in Foxton have realised that a man who has distinguished himself as a psychologist and philanthropist, and occupies one of the foremost places as a social reformer in the Empire to-day, has been here. In fact, from statements that have reached our ears, some of our wise-acres, instead of recognising his gifts and powers, because of a sordid and mercenary spirit in themselves, have concluded that his visit to, and work in [this [place, was prompted by no higher motive than possessed their dwarfed souls. We regret to have to say such things as these but they are as true as they are disgraceful. To anyone who has attended his series of meetings, the fact stands out apparent that it was the people of Foxton he wished to render a service and a kindness to, and not enrich himself at their expense. So far as the pecuniary aspect of the question is concerned, although we have not heard a word from the committee of local gentlemen who financed the mission, we have no hesitation in saying that the liberality of the people of Foxton has left them pounds behind in the mere necessary expenses connected with the visit. If it were merely money that Mr Flanagan was after, I why should he come to a place like Foxton, and preach to a hand- 1 ful of people, when in Wellington I the Town Hall was found to be too 1 small to accommodate the immense crowds who came to listen to him? As to the work Mr Flanigan has done in Foxton, very little can be said, because there has been so little evidence of its appreciation

by the people. We regret, for one thing, that his stay was so brief, for we feel suie had he remained a week longer in our midst, a good deal of the indifference and prejudice to which his work has been subjected, would have been removed. At the same time, we have not the slightest doubt but that a certain amount of good work has been done that will manifest itself in various ways in the future. His meetings last Sunday in the Public Hall will long be remembered by many who were stirred in relation to their spiritual condition and church life. There is perhaps [no place in the dominion where the church-life of the people is more apathetic than in Foxtou, and if Mr Flanagan has been instrumental, as we believe he has, in quickening this too dormant sense of duty, he will have accomplished a purpose that will show itself in awakened interest in church life and service. The meetings in the Methodist Church on Monday and Tuesday evenings, although Only moderately attended were nevertheless highly appreciated by those who were there, and there were a good many expressions on the latter evening by those present who had been blessed during the mission. This cannot fail to have some good results, and if the visit of this notable man has no other effect than inspires the members of the Christian churches in this place to a higher and better representation of the principles inculcated by the great Master whom they profess to serve, the whole community must benefit thereby. The lecture on Wednesday night was one which every one who missed attending is all the poorer for their absence. For two hours and a half the speaker held a moderate audience practically spell bound while he recounted the sunshine and shade of his great missionary work of 14 years in “ Darkest London.” The whole lecture was a revelation to the audience, and most if not all went to their homes satisfied that they had sat at the feet ot a man, who was a tower of strength in the transformation of reprobate London, thrilled by the lurid light of intimate knowledge. He threw into his subject, a whole hearted desire to lift men from degradation and misery, into reformed conditions and a worthy manhood. There are other lives, and to other service than the bloody battlefield, that the Victoria Cross should be available, and not the least deserving of such an honour are the men, like the man who has made a short stay in Foxton, who take their lives in their hands and go down into the dark and pestiferous hells of infamy and crime in the large cities of the Old Land to rescue wounded and dying fellow creatures. “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these, ye have done it unto Me.”