LECTURE ON PALESTINE.

Waikato Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1606, 19 October 1882, Page 2

LECTURE ON PA LESTINE.

On Tuesday evening the Rev. Alexander Reid, who has recently travelled through Palestine, delivered a, lecture, entitled " Ten Days in Holy Land," in aid of the Home Mission Fund in Trinity Wesleyan Church, Hamilton, before a large and appreciative audience. The chair was occupied by Mr 11. TST. Buttle, and on the platform were the Rev. J. Dukes and D. Fulton. After a hymn had been &ung, the Rev. J. Dukes read the report of the Home Mission for the past year, which showed a very satisfactory state ofaffaiis. The chairman then introduced the lecturer, who commenced with a graphic description of Joppa or (modern) Jalla (probably the oldest port in tne woild), and then pictured the road leading to Jerusalem, together with the most notable objects of interest there. For an hour and a half the audience, accompanied him in thought, and richly enjoyed his graphic description. His delineation of the country from Jaffa to Jci usalein, parsing as it does by orangeues and olive yards, differs widely from Maik Twain, who styles it as sterile and uninteresting. The lecturer, as was expected, devoted the greater paitof the tune at his disposal, to an account of his \isit to Jerusalem, and as he connected his hearers to the principal objects of interest in and around the Holy City, such as the Mount of Olives, the Garden of Gethsemene, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Mosque of Omar, &c, the various scenes were realized as truly as though presented on the canvas. Mr Reid spoke hopefully of the future of Palestine, and mentioned as a sign of the times the gratifying fact that when a Bishop of the Anglican Church recently entered upon his Episcopal duties at Jerusalem, that the chief functionaries of the Mohamedau and Jewish faith welcomed him and presented congratulatory addresses, and concluded by urging all to have a kindly bearing /towards the Mohamedau, who he said weie quite equal to the Maoris ; to respect the Jews in their misfortunes, and to thank God that they wcie Christians. On the motion of the Rev. D. Fulton, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the lecturer, to the chairman and choir, and carried by acclamation. It is hoped that before long Mr Reid will resume his nan ative of travel, and delight us with a tiip to the Valley of the Jordan and the Dead Sea.

Presentation to Mr and MrsG-leeson. After the lecture, Mr S. Meacbam, on behalf of the choir, pi esenlecl Mis Uleeson, who has for somu years been a prominent member of the choir, with a handsome brooch, on the occasion of her leaving Hamilton, as a token ot the high estimation in which her services have been held. The Rev. .T. Dukes, with a few appropriate remarks, also presented Mr and Mrs Gleeson with a well-finished album, on behalf of the congregation. Mr Manners returned thanks for the recipients, and after an expicssion of the wellwishes of the congiegation, the meeting scpiU atcd.