The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-02-21
A MINISTERIAL EGoTIsT.
Tho Rev. Joseph Parker Tells About His
Visit Here,


London Cable to New York Herald.
DR.. Parker's congregation gave him as his
valentine beautiful desk and his full salary during
the time he was absent in America This evening
he lectured in the City Temple to the public. Much
of his address was Of locally personal character
but he began the portion relating to his American
visit by referring to his first Sunday in Plymouth
church. where he was ''the victim of public Cir
cumstance."
He acknowledged that he had had there an at
tack OF what is commonly called "stage fright" So
strange did he appear to himself that he did not
preach in that church in the ordinary acceptation
of the term "preaeh."
81 knew was talking" he said "aud that was
about all. In fact felt there, and yet not there.
How others regarded my services cannot quite re-
member.
"Al can say is that after the service some OF the
Oldest and most reverned members came to me with
tears in their eyes for renewal of friendship, and
there was such q lot of haudShaking and blessing
that it quite unnamed me. Never shall forget
the scene when 1 was called upon to deliver the
eulogy on the greatest preacher since the time Of
st. PauI-IIenry Ward Beeehcr." Here came unre-
strained applause.
"Thc church in which I spoke" continued DR.
Parker, twas The largest i'll Brooklyn, and perhaps,
in the United States 1t was filled with the most
honored and trusted men of the city and was largely
besprinkled with the best citizens of the United
States At the close my stay in Brooklyn the best
friends of the deceased crowded round me and in
timated with tears their appreciation of my tribute
to the memory of one TO whose loss language would
not even become able TO do justice until after the
lapse Of halfa century After that fonction, the
collection ofwhich viii haunt me until the day of
my death, proceeded about my more public work
Life, generally speaking, is always public in
America. There do not seem to be any private cti-
zens under the eagle. The publicity i'll America is
splendid. suppose there always will be such pub
LEFTY there.
"some people have said that I abbreviated my
course of lectures but went there TO deliver TWEEN
ty-lve lectures, and before came away had given
thirty seven and had teen invited to deliver thirty
seven more.
I'm fact, I could have been lecturing there now,
for programme was drawn up for me to stay till
the middle of june but, having fulfilled my mission
and finding that the yankees made night in Amer
lea the same day, and that rushing into terribly
ioltng trains and sitting in cars heated 30 degrees
caused me to rise in the morning feeling more like
a highwayman than a Christian thought it time
to make shift. Not that my American friends did
not treat me properly-they were superintendent in
their kindness.
"Bl MI d one blunder while there, and for
that have apparently not yet been forgiven, was
once questioned as to what l thought of American
institutions and, while giving credit where credit
was due could not help stigmatiNng their system
ofinteryiowing as internal. l admit that this word
was strong and now wish TO take it back. There
is no greater adinrer Of American journalism than
myself for there is finer editorial writing in the
world than found In America.
Their newspapers are better than the English on
the whole vet there are some which are even as
bad aS--as-well. as there are in London. Loud
laughter Ny stigma on American interviewing,
however did not apply TO all the newspapers there
or 10 all the writers but to some who cOncOcted
d deliberate and infamous lies without having even
seen the man interviewed. much less heard his
opinions myself was represented il such novel
positions and uttering snch strange things that
began to wonder whether nay journey had not
changed me entirely A yainst such stem the
word informal, perhaps, IS strong, but al present
auather one has been invented 10 take It's place.
laughter
Important to Mothcrs-Mrs. Winslow' S
SOOTHING SYRUP, for ali diseases with
which children are afflicted. Twenty-Five
cents n bottle.