Semi-weekly interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1881-1905, 1883-06-15


old soul 10 find himself comparatively
stranded while younger men were heading
a movement in which he once was an hon
ored leader. And 40 the old, old scene
was once mose enacted.
"And then was strife among the die.
oiplcs, a. they walked by the way a. TO
who should be greatest" | this was the
bsne ct the college Of the Apostles" is Il
any wonder Il should be the curse Of Syn.
ods, Presbyteries, Conferences, Convoca.
tions, Councils and what nol1 | have
seen No much Of IL, in my time, among the
best Of men, that was not surprised TO
End IL creeping into the Noble Blue Rib
bon movement At the Close Of a hot dis
cu.sion, Bro. Noble came in with a closing
speech, Just like himself--and which prov
ed to be oil upon the waters, for the LORD
gave a meeting right on the heels Of this
unbrotherly strife, full Of power and bless-
ing. All Of which emphasizes the glori.
Gus fact that the LORD does not disdain
to use very "earthen vessels" to bear His
priceless gospel "treasure;" and that thus
using US, lie is not for moment to be sup.
posed IA endorsing us in all our ways
Some Of these may be very hateful TO Him,
and yet lie will use us. Yes, and praise
us too as far a. He can. When He called
Job the best man He had on earth; know
ing, as We do. how poorly he endured, and
how much that was wrong cropped out Of
him'hnder trial, we feel that his approval
a. the best man in the world was any thing
but compliment to the rest Of mankind.
But we also learn the sweet lesson that the
dear LORD is good, il We are bad, and
that lie puts up with lot Of chat for the
sake Of the grains Of wheat He knows to
be at the bottom Of the heap, and lovingly
recognizes the good there is in US, in spite
of the evil with which il is mixed. There
is nothing that gives one more comfort in
its way than the word Gle knoweth our
frame, he remembereth that we are dust"
Surely lie does, and loves and uses us not
withstanding all.
Exeter Hall was crowded TO its utmost
capacity by the Blue Ribbonites. Steven
son Lakewood, Esq, so we'll known thro'
his book, to many in America, was in the
chair. He is man Of superb presence,
tall, ~ mmetrical in form and very hand
some in face. lie has carried the simple
gospel Of the grace Of God into many q
drawing room in the West. End;-for he il
an aristocrat and one Of the few noble
ones that are called" The choir had 800
voices in it-volunleers and solos were rem
dered by Miss Mary DAvies,-a lovely
Welsh young lady, Of great personal at
tractiveness and the voice Of an angel.
Hers was also volunteer service. The
speakers, after the Chairman, who always
makes the opening address at these stereo-
typed gatherings, we're frst a clergyman Of
the Church Of England; then DIR. Monroe
Gibson, formerly Of Chicago, who has now
a Presbyterian church in London; then the
Mountain Evangelist" then a Counsellor
at Law; and last and best Bro. Noble. The
audience was in the best Of humor; elapped
and applauded vociferously on the least
provocation; and left no one TO complain
that they were not applauded. A British
audience will have its way in this. In
vain you laise deprecating hand, or utter
mild protest. They will applaud your
very circumstances, with deeper emphasis.
An instance Of this occurred during the
meeting | am describing that will illus
trate the matter. Mr.. Blaekwood after
announcing that Her Grace the Duchess
Of Sutherland had donned the blue ribbon,
which drought down the house" uproari-
ously, went on to remark that he had an
other item Of intelligence, 81 am credibly
informed, that even now the Government
has, laid before it-(reRered applause a
memorial (storms Of prolonged ditiOJ
Mr. Bidckioood waring has hand. "Iou are
all wrong (Gpplause) wait till am done
before you applaud" (reneOed claPping)
"A memorial" (storms Of 0PprOudD "a me-
mortal, (such din that he had to wait for
it to subside before going on) "from the
brewers, spirit dealers and licensed victu-
alters of Sheffield (roars Of good humored
laughier), praying that relief may begrant-
ed from the fanatics (roars) who are OBJ
siructing the course Of trade, (laughter)
damaging the revenue (hear, hear. and
laughter) and bringing ruin upon honest
industries" prolonged cheering
And 30 ii went on all the evening. Ten
o'clobk was almost ON us before the assem-
bly, adjourned. After the inevitable col
lection, which did not pay expenses by 30
pounds. preached a little sermon on the
real meaning Of the Blue Ribbon rs given
in Numbers XIV; alluded TO the National
feature Of the movement, without obtru-
ding on the subject Of the Nations ldenii-
ty with lost Israel; "a many were not cable
to bear" that; then showed them that as
Blue was Gods Love Color from the begin
ming, it ohght TO stand with US for His
greatest Love gift-Jesus; 80 that blue
ribbon was not to remind me OF what 4
had done-my pledge my purpose; but Of
what God had done, and what Jesus had
power to do, since His resurrection from
the dead with call power in heaven and ON
earth" committed to Him, so that the
drunkard need not despair as he looked on
the little blue token-for Jesus could and
would take away his appetite for strong