The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1908-04-24
Mr.. JoHNsToNs LEcTuRE oN
IRELAND AND THE IRISH
PEOPLE


Irish People" by the Rev. Thomas =.
Johnston of BraOentown spent an hour
and a half of rare enjoyment
Before the lecture Mrs. W. J. Bvrne
Ocala's sweet singer, who ALWAYS
pleases by her beautiful songs. con
uibuted two Irish numbers TO the
evenings entertainment and all were
delighted with her rendition of these
two melodies.
The distinguished lecturer was in
troduced very happily by Rev G. +.
Harrison, the popular rector of Grace
Episcopal church.
Constituting himself as master Of
ceremonies, he said without being pro-
lix, he would say as is said in school
commandments, The next on the
program is a speech by Tommy John
ston.'
Answering TO the introduction the
distinguished orator bowed his &C
ENCOURAGEMENT TO Mr.. Harrison and
20 his audience.
Mr.. Johnston is a son Of the En-
erald Isle" He is in the heyday of
youth, is a great lover of ireland and
the Irish people, is a thorough sympa-
thizer with her in the great wrongs
that have for centuries been heaped
upon her by the English government.
The young preacher has a luency
Of speech that is remarkable. He has
an easy and splendid presence, a can
uvating, well modulated and winning
voice and is ardently in harmony
with his subject, and is as much of an
Irish patriot as Daniel O'Connell.
Robert Emmett or Charles Stuart
PaInen.
The young orator told Of the early
Irish history and arguing from the
cromlechs that are found along the
Irish coast as they are all along the
coast of Europe, as far as Norway and
Sweden, reaching even to the coast OF
Tunis, that there is a solidarity of "a
ces, and that we all at one time form
ed one family.
The lecturer next paid a beautiful
tribute 10 Saint Patrick, who PLANTED
the cross on the Emerald Isle in 432
and taught the religion Of Christ TO
the then rulers of Great Britain, IL
Illustrating by the little Shamrock the
possibility of the Trinity.
He then skipped over several cen
turtles and brought his hearers down
10 the time Of Queen Elizabeth, when
so much hostile legislation was enact
ed against the Irish people.
He said that it was made unlawful
for Roman Catholic TO wed without
first obtaining the consent of the bish-
CD of the established church, il was
unlawful for a Roman Catholic TO
send his children TO school, it was I'M
lawful for him TO hold or beQueath
property, ii was unlawful for CathO
lie priests and bishops 10 wear the
vestments Of their church. or to teach
school or TO perform any Of the func-
tons OF government. His narration
of these bigoted laws enacted against
this unhappy people on account Of
their religion was simply appalling
and astounding and enlisted everyone
in the audience on the side of those
children of oppression.
The Irish enthusiast gave a glowing
picture of the Irish character and his
patriotism and love Of country. He
said that in all the wars waged by
England. ireland had borne part and
a conspicuous part, and it was through
the bravery of her sons that England
had won imperishable fame on so
many fields Of battle.
He told Of the efforts of Sir William
Gladstone. the greatest Englishman of
his time or Of any time. That begin F.
ming life a Tory he early saw the
wrongs inflicted on Ireland, renounc- /
ed Toryism, became the leader Of the
Liberal party and effected the discs 4
adjustment of the church. and since
which time the Protestant church in 4
ireland has fiourished as never be .
fore.
Rarely have We known any preach .
er of a different religious denomin7- /
ton 10 so ably defend another church .
in the exercise Of her religious rights +
Mr.. Johnston set the example OF re- .
Fgious tolerance and showed the aW- .
ful evils resulting from religious big
otrv and intolerance, both in ENGLAND
and the United states. and indeed IN .
all countries wherever 81 had been
pracUced.
In closin- his lecture the Young or .
a+or paid q glowing tribute TO the pa
rriotism and Ioftness of character oil
Charles stuart PaneIl, and said that