Matthew Burnett in Newton.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 174, 16 October 1886, Page 8 (Supplement)

Matthew Burnett in Newton.

On Thursday, Oct. 7, one of the brightest and moat enthusiastic temperance meetings ever held in this city took place in St. George's Ball, Newton. Previous to the commencement there was a torchlight procession through Arch Hill, along the Great North Road, the Newton Temperance Band accompanying with many spirited airs, and the Gospel Temperance banner (held aloft by Messrs French and Abel) waving triumphantly in front. The march out answered well the purpose for which it was intended, for by the time the Hall was reached hundreds of youths and boys, many of them " the larrikins," had joined in the procession, and seeing everything comfortable and homelike within, they speedily filled the building. Every inch of sitting or standing room, platform, paseages, porches, etc., was occupied. The number inside could not have been less than seven or eight hundred, while hundreds without crowded round the entrance in their attempts to hear the speaker. Mr Warnock, Mayor of Newton, occupied the chair. Mr J. Knott read a portion of Scripture, and the Key. C. Worboys led in prayer. Miss McDermott sang very sweetly, and with great pathos, "The Little Bow of Blue." Mr Burnett, who was greatly delighted with it, aeked her to favour him by singing it again at another of his meetings in this city. After several kymns had been sung by the Band of Hope Dnion Choir, which appeared to advantage, and the collection had been made, Mr Warnock, in a brief speech, introduced the lecturer to the meeting. Mr Burnett, who was re ceived with loud applause, said that nearly all the Mayers he had come across in New Zealand were pledged abstainers, and wore the "blue." At Timaru, Fielding, Wanganui, Palmerston South and North tbn highest civic magistrates signed and donned at 7iis meetings, many of them beine accompanied to the table by their wives, and the last-named marshalling his ten children down to sign as well. Lead ing merchants and 4< great men " everywhere he went had lent their example. He complimented them on the splendid hall they were in, and on the large representative meeting before him. He had many "Pictures from Eeal Life "he could give them, and he was always adding to his col lection, but on this occasion he would aelect two of his favourites. First " Steve and Janet." In the most amusing manner he told the story of this worthy man and wife They lived in one of the upscountry towns of South Australia. The man was a thoroughly bad case, beat Janet, his wife, and drank his earnings as soon as he had them in possession ; but love, kindness, and gentle tact on the part of Mr Burnett soon won him over to the side of sobriety. On the lecturer's return to the town some months later he pcnrcely knew the couple, so greatly had they improved— quite a gentleman and lady in appearance and manner. He ajeo spoke of his crusade amongst the ' ■ rough navviep," as they were called, in one of the great mining districts in Australia. He was told by the authorities that it was aa much as his life was worth to attempt, to preach temperance to them. But he went trusting in God, and was highly successful. After their work had been finished for the day, their evening meal despatched, and the camp fires lit, in the light of the moon he addreseed them. At first they refused to listen to him, and jeered him, but by singing some of " Yankee Bill s " songs, "I've Travelled About a Bit in My Time," "There is a Good Time Coming," &c, &c, he aroused their onthusiaBtn, cempletely won them over to him, and was listened to, to the end of a two hours' address, with the utmost patience, and at the close loudly cheeied. Nearly the whole body signed the pledge. He had met numbers of these men since then, and they told him that that night was the turning point; in their lives. The spirited, " Ysrkshireman " was in the very best form last night, and completely carried the audience by storm, holding them for one hour and three quartern in rapt attention by hia fiery eloquence. His speech abounded with passages of special force and power. The, broad catholicity ( and philanthropy of his views were highly 1 appreciated. He said that if #hey could banish from the homes of the cultured, as well aa of the poor, tKe demon drink, there would be permanent improvement in New Zealand. This, he ' said, the press, the j pulpit and the platform have beeudealing with for years. This had brought woman, as well as man, down to the very lowest depths of degradation ; and in the name of God, whether they were Catholic or Protestant, he earnestly besought them .to give their support to the grandest and moat God-like cause in existence— tba 4 ; ot elevating and benefiting the human race Truth and freedom were emblazoned on its banners. Hie concluding peroration was a I masterpiece of eloquence. He implored fathers and mothers,' "for* their children's sake, and for Jesus' sake, to come forWard and sign. If the Christian churches' would onlj take the temperance question, properly in hand, in three years 'intoxicants would be banished 'from the land."' Mr' Burnett resumed his seat amid 'loud and long continued' applause, the' tftnabst' 1 enthusiasm' prevailing, and' the pqopleJrjßin* .up" to cheer him. . His genuine dowririghfcearneat ness' and'feryoui'"Wre^ remarkable,' and seemed to make a deep impression, for many flocked to the table¥jto"aign andbe adornedwith, the ribbon! Mr Ri Frerichrin moving a vote of thanks to the Mayor, choir, etc,

said that ah attempt had been made to establish a hotel in " Prohibition Newton,'* but through the instrumentality of Mr Warnock and others it had failed, and the die* appointed agents were glad to sell out the allotment'.tWy had' purchased ,to a,, dairy. -He hoped the tioie -would soon eotne, whin all the hotels would be compelled to "soil out to dairies. ' Mr Burnett heartily thanked theip for tbeir kind reception. He hoped that Newton would long be a prohibition borough, .The meeting closed with three hearty cheere for Mr Burnett.