MR GLADSTONE’S GOLDEN WEDDING SPEECH.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1962, 29 October 1889, Page 4

MR GLADSTONE’S GOLDEN WEDDING SPEECH.

- Mr Gladstone’s' speech at'the National Liberal Club, on the occasion of the golden wedding celebration, was a masterpiece of grace, dignity, and tenderness, but the best part of it was'that irt which he spoke of the privilege of public service to his country which is the birthright of every British citizen “ I wish that you may each of you in your sphere be enabled to employ the gifts which God' withholds from none in the discharge of those noble duties which are open at all times to the patriotism of the English citizen. It is among her most characteristic and distinguishing points that our country expects every man to do his duty, not only in the private sphere but in the community in which he lives. The laws which we have lately adopted tend to drive home upon every heart, every mind, and every conscience a deeper sense of that duty ; the sphere is enlarged, the call is louder than ever it was before, and the man who does not listen to it would be unworthy of the name of Briton. On the other hand, ws are persuaded that, as in former times, our countrymen have not been unable to play a leading part among the nations of the world, so in the times to come they will, by the help of God, rise more and more to a consciousness of the greatness of the country to which they belong, and of the high providential purposes which are associated with its wealth, its resources, and its power; that they hold as a trust committed to them from above to use, alike for their own advantage and for the advantage of their brethren dispersed throughout the earth.”