Wichita eagle., 1889-10-09
"sAvoNARoLa, TIE REFoRMER."
The Lecture Last Evening by the Rev. X. T.
Sayin.

The Lecture Last Evening by the Rev. r. T.
Sayin.
The First Methodist church was we'll
filled last evening by those wanting to hear
the Rev. r. L. Savin's great lecture, s'Sav-
onarola, the Reformer" 1t was the ex-
preston Of many that the audience was
the largest ever seen in this city at lecture
and those in attendance were certainly
well paid for coming ont to hear
last evenings oratorical treat. Mr.. Sayin is
very easy and imprisoned speaker, his
every word being clearly heard in the
furtherest part of the large church. Speak
ing it would seem without any effort 1t
was really pleasure, aside from the in
tellectual benefit derived from his talk, 10
watch and listen to the reverend gentle
man as he described the trials Of the great
reformer.
The speaker began by giving a graphic
description of the age in which Savonar-
ola lived, telling how he was surrounded
by corruption in both church and state
and naming him as Italy's real reformer
and that the reformatory movement OF
SavoHarola was isolated from all other re-
forms of Europe. Then for about half an
hour the reverend gentleman made COM
ments of Savonarola with the leading
men Of his age and clear and strong bio
graphical account was also given of the
reformer Two aspects of his work were
spoken of, the first being his work as a
religious reformer and the second being
his work as political reformer and a re-
storer of liberty to the people of Florence.
These two points were treated by the
speaker in a clear and concise manner and
after dwelling on them at some length. he
closed as follows:
Have there not appeared to you, as you
have glimpsed at this life, group of les
sons? See the discouraglng beginning!
Barriers unsurmountable were reared up
before him. A villianous king, a corrupt
pope. Church and state are one in the
wedlock of sin. How can an unassisted
man bring purity to the church and social
order TO the state? Some holy voice wins
pers: GOD knows no barriers"
See the fixed purpose, To purge Italy
by preaching righteousness was the only
purpose of his life. A purpose straight as
ray of sunshine; as clearly defined as the
edge of the sword of God; as irresistible
as the stress of the tornado or the gentle
ness of love.
See the manliness of the man, Strong,
large; a bold and gaunt manliness-simple
but stately, like the steadiness OF Giabralter,
undisturbed by the lashing waves at its
feet or the yearning winds around its
brow majestic manhood, crowned with
fire by Florence; crowned with life in
heaven.
he, 20 IF
nor king, nor iniuriated mob nor fagot.
Having the calm bravery OF one enwrap-
ped with Gods almightyness and inspired
by angel company.
See how little he concerned himself about
results Only his business to do for God.
To work, to SOW. Gods business to give
the increase and gather in the harvest.
See how close he lived to heaven. Faith
linked him to the holy, his purpose led
him toward Gods throne. He lived not so
much in Florence-there his body moved
His citizenship was in the heavens"
See how today he blesses u.s. Unappreci-
ated in his day; unloyed by those who
should have crowned him; living in lonli-
ness like Dante and in darkness like Mil
ton, he yet lives in the literature, the art,
the purpose and praise of our own age
Even Rome, that hanged him, gives him
choice place among her honored dead, in
her best shrine.
Such lives are broad, and in the meas
urements we must use many lines. They
are many sided; we must gaze from many
places. They are rich with jewel graces
We are rich if we can touch a few gems
God has way of chrystallizlng in such
lives many of His holy forces"
Many were the compliments showered
on the speaker at the close of his lecture,
and several expressed a hope that the lee
ture would be again delivered in the near
future. MIR. Savin is figuring on course
of lectures during the winter, which are to
be free, thus affording an evening Of intel
lectual enjoyment to those who could not
otherwise enjoy it.