The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-07-27
A TEMPERANCE WORKER.
The Famous Lecturer, Francis MUIR
ply, Begins a Series Of
Lectures Here.
Meetings Every Evening This
Week Under the Auspices of
the Churches.
A Large and Interested Audience Groeta
the Well Known Speaker NJ Ming's
Opera House.

Murphy, made his first public appearance in
yesterday on the stage of MinR's
opera house. Mr.. Murphy, when he started
his journey to the northwest, did not in
tend to stop off at Helena. but was bound
for Tacoma, where he was to inaugurate a
series of temperance meetings. A few weeks
ago he met with an accident. Til sleeper
in which he WAS travelling with his wife and
a number of others tumbled into the Vol
lowstone river east of Forsythe. Mr.. Muir
phys nose was broken and one of his knees
badly wfenched. He was compelled to seek
rest and he came here, where he has been
resting at the Hotel Broadwater. He has
not entirely recovered yet, and spoke under
disadvantages yesterday afternoon to a
large audience. Ths evangelical churches
of the city have charge Of tho meetings
started here by the we'll known lecturer,
which will be held every evening
of this week in st. Paups Metho-
dist Episcopal church. Representatives
from each congregation form a committee
who have taken it Upon themselves to &C.
cure funds to pay the expenses of Mr.. and
Mrs. Murphy while they remain in Helena.
As stated by Mr.. John w. Thompson yes
terday, one Of the committee, an impress
sion seems to prevail that Mr.. Murphy is
employed at a large salary to 90 about the
country to deliver temperance lectures.
this is not SO; he is dependent entirely
upon the kind offerings of those who go to
hear him and take an interest in his work.
The lecturer was introduced to the audi
ence by Rev. F.. ID. Kelsey, &c. D., pastor of
the Congregational church, who character
lied him as a noble worker in the cause OF
humanity. Upon the stage with Mr.. Muir
ply we're Rev. s. Il. Snider, Rev. G. B.. Al
len, Jr., Rev. j. N. Smith, Rev. U. +.
Hawk, Mrs. Murphy and q number Of ladies
from the different congregations of the
city. Seated at Il table in the orchestra
were several members of the Y. M. @. A.
with piles of blank pledges before them and
ers and hymns before Mr.. Murphy
begun his address. He was warmly greeted
as he advanced to the front of the stage
where the light from an open window shed
its rays on his silver crowned head and
short sturdy figure dressed in black broad
cloth. During HIS address he renamed IN
one position a very little time. Sometimes
he would stoop and look into the attentive
faces of his listeners as he made a point.
Then again when collecting himself for a
brilliant piece of word painting no would
lean back and start to put his left hand in
his trousers pocket, drop it at his side, and
out rolled the stream of words tinged with
a faint trace of ths brogue.
He was very glad, he said, to be permitted
by the gracious providence of God to be
permitted to rest a little while in Helena
after his rescue from the very gate of death,
and to be SO graciously and heartily re-
celved by the ministers of the gospel, by the
racr mud hu oil ha hoe mat an fha n raafo
He had received nothing but kind
ness and was welcomed with good cheer
The people of Montana were pronounced g
most hearty, generous and whole soIlec
people. "They are not old enough to be
| stiff and proud yet" His work, he said
was with malice toward none and charity te
all. 1t is q hard matter to scold people on
of their sins. The only way for a mother
to save her boy Is to forgive him. SOM
times the slipper and CAD we're used, bu'
they should be put up. He thought thu
devil had been whipped into a great lot o
people. Love, mercy and kindness ar
what we want, for we are but all children o
a larger growth.
Referring to his experience in the Pull
man which rolled into the Yellowstone, b
said there was one sure thing about it-h'
got water enough. After this p%leasRntr.
the address grew more serious and he salt
he was not here to scold mel
VINO Sell OF Qrluk liquor. i
the men who drink woult
stop that would settle the. whole business
1t is the battles we nave fought and the VIC
tories we have o that give us strength
and a grain of courage to keep up the tigh
until lasting victory is reached. He APP
pealed to the young men to look about then
and beware the snares that were in thei
pathways. Alone they could do nothing
but with Christ's help they could do much
1--WE want Christ in this work. We hav
had everything else" Mr.. Murphy sketohet
his early life from the time he left his M
tive land until he once more stood in tn
midst of his happy family, again mas
ter of himself. The parting with hi
mother in their cottage home was so elo
quently drawn hat it caused tears to 1oy
from the eyes of some of his hearers. /
no had been free from liquor it would hav
strewn his mothers pathway with flowers
He never had a sorrow that did not con
from drink. After several years. bushes
success in this country his love for liquo
got away with his nice property and home
all went, ana he no longer care
what became of him. A friend took hir
to an institute and while there a sea capital
came to visit the inmates. On one of thes
occasions Mr.. Murphy became converte
and for over twenty years has not violate
the promise made at that time.
About $50 people signed the pledge at tn
conclusion of his remarks. While tn
people were crowding about the table tn
ladies and gentlemen on the stage, led b
Mir. Murphy, sang hymns. Another meet
ing was held in the evening at st. Paul.
| church m Rronduoy uhiCh uaa n1sn lnrual