HENRY VARLEY’S MISSION.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 465, 23 April 1890, Page 5

HENRY VARLEY’S MISSION.

SECOND LECTURE TO MEN. Auckland, April 21The City Hall was crowded to excess on Saturday evening by persons eager to listen to Mr Henry Yarley’s second lecture to men. Mr C. B. Stone presided. After a hymn had been sung Mr Varley read the 7th of Proverbs, and then engaged in prayer. Upon commencing his address Mr Varley said he was going to speak upon another phase of the subject dealt with the previous Saturday evening. He emphasized the salient points of his previous lecture, mentioning that prize-fighters and athletes, when in heavy training, were compelled to live absolutely moral life by their trainers, which proved that morality was conducive to health and strength. He warned those present not to develop their animal at the expense of the intellectual and spiritual nature. Mr Varloy laid stress upon the fact that stimulants fired the passions, and he advised all to keep alcohol out of their bodies, remarking that for 40 years he bad been a total abstainer. He also pointed out that all men should have the fear of God in their hearts, for it was written: “ Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way ? _ By taking heed thereto according as it is written.” He maintained that moralty was God’s law, hence the penalties that resulted from a violation of that law. At this stage some of the audience retired: then the lecturer said, “ You need not be

surprised at a few friends going out. (Laughter.) Conscience is very busy at these meetings. (Applause.) No, I don't want you to think that is an unkind remark. I have known six .men carried out of one of these meetings. Conscience hit them and they fainted, but returned after they recovered.” A voice here cried “ Bosh !” whilst another replied “ Quite true.” Mr Varley next went on to speak about the terrible effects of immorality upon national life. He referred to the fact that the French nation were almost at a standstill as regards the increase of population, and said that the world was only in its infancy as far as population was concerned. If the United States were populated like Great Britain its people would number 2,000 millions, whilst another 1,000 millions might be provided for in Canada. Ono man had proffered to show him one tract of virgin land in Canada that was capable of producing breadstuff's for the whole of the present population of the world. At present there were only 116,000 people in Tasmania, and the other portions of Australia were also sparsely populated. Given time for development of water resources, and the Australasian colonies would provide room for 1,000 millions of the human family, whilst there was room in Africa for 3,000 millions more. Under such circumstances what thinking man could justify the prevention of the increase of popula-

tion ? Had such a policy been adopted in Great Britain, would it have become the great colonising power that it was at present ? At the close of the last century France had a population of 32 millions, and to - day it only showed an increase of 5,000,000. France was now planting colonies, but for bis own part he would as soon set an old man of 80 to manage a business as to expect France in the maturity of her national life to become a successful colonising power. At the close of last century Britain had a population of twelve millions, and now, in 1890, twenty-five millions of her descendants were in the States of America, six millions in Canada, three and a-half millions in Australasia, and five millions more in South Africa, India and on the seas. The British population had risen from 12,000,000 to 76,000,000 during the same time that the population of France had only increased 5,000,000. The correspondent of the “Daily News” had told him that there was a marked difference in the French and German armies. The latter soldiers carried with them photographs of relations and their intended, lie might say God pity the man that had no honest girl who was his intended. Now the French soldiers also carried photographs, but« they were half - nude pictures of courtesans and such like. The home was a diminished factor in France to-day, and the Government had recognised it to such an extent that assistance was to be given to every family in which there was a fifth child. Mr Varley Baid he considered that weak men or women should not marry. He had himself once declined to marry an old fellow to a young girl of 26. He believed in the fitness of things. (Laughter.) The lecturer warned young men to avoid as they would a leper, any quack doctor who came along and posed a specialist. Such only wanted togetthe moneyout oltheir pockets.' Men were born to help, and not to prey upon each other. Such men were simply a disgrace to humanity, and should bo shipped to some lonely island to grow their own potatoes. (Applause.) Mr Varley then gave young men some sound advice, remarking that he would speak plainly, as he objected to the criminal silence that had too long refused to speak upon these things. The lecturer spoke strongly with regard to the pictures exposed in tobacconists’ windows, and said he wondered that the law tolerated such things. A man cried out from the dress circle, “It’s a disgrace to the Government” (applause), to which Mr Varley replied : “ Yes, brother, it is a disgrace to the Government.”

Mr Varley then in eloquent terms implored his hearers not to be led away by false teaching. Self-denial never harmed any man. Referring to the C.D. Act, the lecturer said he did not think it waa the function of the Goverment to recognise, or legislate to regulate vice and crime. The Government had no right to step in and attempt to minimise the penalty belonging to vice. He asserted that since the 30 years that Act had been in operation in France the standard of height in the Army had been twice reduced. He considered that the capitulation of Metz was caused by the dreadful ravages of disease that the 30 years of legislation had not eradicated. Bazaine was captured in a carriage with his mistress. Gambetta was shot by his mistress, and at the time when he was most needed by his country, he died because his body was so affected by that disease that the wound would not heal. He considered that it was high time some one spoke out plainly on these subjects. Referring to Sir Charles Dilke, the speaker said that a 3 sure as Dilke stood for Parliament again he would himself oppose him, if he was in the Old Country at the time. Once there was a city missionary at Brighton who was much shocked at the things he said, but live 'weeks afterwards the wretched fellow ran away with another man’s wife. (Laughter and applause). Mr Varley also mentioned having taken steps to suppress a house of ill-fame in Melbourne, and said that the case was lost owing to the magistrates being in sympathy with the woman. He said he himself watched the house for several nights. Mr Varley concluded his lecture with a fiery denunciation of the men who frequented such places.