IXV 



the Hevlew of Reviews. 



any sober man rouU] have relied upon it as a basis 

 for slandering the character of any one in Mr. Jud 

 kins' position. Needless to say, Mr. Dillon's chal 

 lenge was accepted, and in the Temperance Hall. 

 Melbourne, on February 28th, 1908, before a 

 crowded and enthusiastic audience, Mr. Judkins 

 read out the marked paragraphs, explained the 

 whole case, and then went on reading from the re- 

 fxDrt things that greatly disconcerted his traducers. 

 who got much more than they wanted. He showed 

 how utt.-rlv false were the charges, and how liitter 

 the malice that prompted them. The speech was 

 a masterly one. and a [lerfect trium|)h. Mr. J. C 

 Dillon left for a long voyage without replving, and. 

 contrary to his promise, without admitting that Mr. 

 Judkins '• had earned his position as a member of 

 the community interested in public morality. " The 

 charge was met and the slander beaten down. It 

 never rose again. The vVhole of that magnificenr 

 speech was printed in this Review for April, 1908. 

 and it was reprinted in .separate form. Our leader 

 came out of all these conflicts with, to use his own 

 expression, given in a moment of deep gratitude. 

 " the unwavering confidence and the overflowing love 

 of his fellow fighters." The following resolution 

 was carried, the audience rising to its feet, waving 

 hats and handkerchiefs in a tumult of cheering: — 

 " That this meeting, having heard the statement of 

 Mr. W. H. Judkins in reply to the passages of 

 Mr. Beale's report, which reflect upon The Review 

 OF Reviews for .Australasia, of which Mr. Jud- 

 kins is the editor, expres-ses the opinion that the in- 

 ferences of Mr. Beale, in reference to the magazine, 

 are entirely unwarranted, and therefore unjust ; and 

 further tenders to Mr. Judkins the assurance of its 

 imwavering confidence in him as an honourable man, 

 a Christian citizen, and a leader of the forces which 

 make for social puritv and civic righteousness." 



Such is the path of the reformer. He gives his 

 strength for the gofxl of others. His recognition is 

 twofold. He gets vilification from those who fatten 

 on the things that degrade, anil he wins ungrudging 

 prai.se from true-minded citizens. 



deeds, not vear.s. 



His pulilic life in Victoria was short.- extending 

 little over six vears. But thev were six glorious 

 vears. In them he did a great work. He made a 

 profound impression ujjon the pulilic mind and con- 

 science, and he left a purer land with better laws 

 than he found on his return from New Zealand. 

 Then for nearly half of these six years he was laid 

 aside suffering the tortures of cancer. Again and 

 again he underwent operations. .Sometimes for 

 months and for almost a year at a stretch he was 

 unable to appeal in public. Men thought his work 

 was finished when he appeared on crutches and took 

 the platform, to the boundless delight and admira- 

 tion of his friends. It was then that he organised 

 the Social Reform Bureau, and so signalled his wel- 



come reappearance in public life, 'i'hat he could carry 

 on his work, speaking to great crowds under the con- 

 ditions of his health, was [iriKif ot the heroic snil that 

 dwelt within him. Another thing that impressed 

 me was his perennial freshness as a speaker. .Speak- 

 ing .so often to the same people on the sam.e subject, 

 he had always something new and arresting to tell 

 them. No man spoke so often on few themes and 

 achieved exactly what he did in this way. He was 

 ab.solutely fearless. No matter who the dignitary 

 behind whose neglect or complicity evil sheltered. 

 Mr. Judkins singled out that man. He might be s 

 Minister of the Crown, a Commissioner of Police, 

 an eminent legislator — it mattered not. He went for 

 th" bigge.st game. He was an .\chilles who sought 

 out H.ctor in the strife. A c]e\er cartoon pictured 

 hi.m as David meeting Goliath. 



And now he is gone. No more on this earth shall 

 we meet the genial smile, the homely greeting, and 

 that heart-warming appreciation of others that made 

 his friendship .so delightful. Never again shall we 

 hear the clarion call to battle from his lips. But 

 his memory remains. We still see him — on the plat- 

 form, while l)efore him a forest of waving handker- 

 chiefs give him greeting, and cheers peal from lustv 

 throats, drowning the hoarse rage of the baser .sort ; 

 we hear the measured accents as he unfolds his case, 

 until suddenly, like lightning flame, comes out some 

 startling statement that strikes shame and indigna- 

 tifm against evil into every heart. Yes. he was 

 great. And he was winsome as great. It was 

 a privilege to know him. to work with him, and 

 among the treasures of life possessed by his friends 

 his memory and influence will ever rank as a thing 

 of purest gold. The work he loved will go on. 

 Brave hearts will take his place as well as they can. 

 .Around his grave thev pledged them.selves to do it. 

 He friught for God. and truth, and right. His life 

 was short. .At 43 he laid down his sword. But if 

 men live in deeds, not years, then his life was not 

 short. I cannot refrain from using, in conclusion, 

 some lines he u.sed to quote when rallying the forces 

 of righteousness to the service of God. They are 

 words of victory and inspiration: — 



He liuth wnmded forth tlie trumpet that shall never call 



retreat. 

 He is sifting out the hearts of men before His .judgment 



9ea.t; 

 O he swift, in.v soul to meet Him; he iuhihint. my feet. 

 Oup God is m.arohing on. 



Our friend kept good step to that music. On the 

 last Sunday u]X)n which he was able to take public 

 work he preached twice, in each case requiring assist- 

 ance in the service. .At night he spoke on the walk 

 of the disciples with Christ to Fmmaus. on the even- 

 ing of the Resurrection. It was appropriate. They 

 liad said. "' .Abide with us, for it is towards evening, 

 anil the dav is far spent." He. too. walked with 

 God. and. like Enoch., is not. for God has taken 

 him. 



