YOUNG MEN’S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5461, 27 September 1878, Page 2

YOUNG MEN’S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.

Last evening Mr. W. L. Rees, M.H.R., delivered an interesting lecture in connection with the Young Men’s Christian Association. Notwithstanding the unfavorable state of the weather there was a large attendance. Professor Kirk, F.L.S., &c., occupied the chair, and after prayer, introduced the lecturer, saying that the subject which Mr. Bees proposed to treat was The identity of the British people with the lost tribes of Israel.” It was a sub-, ject which from time to time had caused much discussion, and just now was creating much attention. Many arguments were adduced in support of it, and others against it. Mr. Rees would speak in support of the theory, and givo a synopsis of the arguments in its favor in a manner, he was sure, that would prove interesting, instructive, and useful to his hearers. Mr. Rees, who was cheered on coming forward, then, in a very clear and distinct voice which was audible in every part of the hall, entered ou his subject, and handled it very ably. He pointed out how the Old Testament history was, after the first few chapters, the history of one race —the people of Abraham, to whom special blessings were given, and in whose descendants would ultimately dwell the dominion of the earth. All Abraham’s descendants were not Jews. They were divided into two branches, diverse in character and history, one springing from Judah and Levi and the other from Israel. He called attention to the dispersion of the Ten Tribes of Israel, and showed how they were scattered and lost sight of, and argued with much force that the history of the Bible, of Josephus and other historians, and the prophecies of Scriptures, pointed to the Anglo-Saxon race as the descendants of the lost tribes. Ho quoted from the writings of Mr. Hines and Mr. Turner in support of his proposition, and dwelt upon the present position of England and her colonies, and of the United States, as being one that indicated that ere long one great English-speaking race would control the destinies of the world. He referred to the words “ Briton” and “ British” as being in his opinion derived from Hebrew roots, and instanced many coincidences as tending to point opt the truth of the theory he laid down. He , spoke of the probability of war with Affghaniatan, of England having possession of the Holy Land at no distant date, and of an Englishman now directing the finances of Egypt. The lecture was interspersed with a description of the great pyramids of Egypt and legends and anecdotes connected with Irish and Scotch history, and throughout the lecturer kept the main object of ms address in view, aud evidently carried a large portion of his audience with him. He concluded by stating that the Bible, prophecy, and history all tended to show that the AngoSaxon race was destined to be the great and. ruling nation of the world, by whom true religion, true liberty, aud a reign of law, order, and peace would finally be established.

At the close of the lecture Mr. Bees was warmly applauded, and a vote of thanks to him was carried unanimously, which he briefly and suitably acknowledged.