"This, too, I must say. Disease, or demoniacal possession, as it may be, I have emerged from both. I have held God's lamp to my breast.
"There is only one cure for Alcoholism. There is only one influence that can come and catch up and surround and help and comfort the sodden man.
"That is the influence of the Holy Spirit."
As he concluded there was a loud uproar in the Edward Hall.
Upon the platform the well-known people there were gazing at him, surrounding him, saying, muttering this and that.
The people in the body of the hall had risen in horrified groups and were stretching out their hands towards the platform.
The Meeting which had promised so much in the Cause of Temperance was now totally dissolved—as far as its agenda went.
The people dispersed very gradually, talking among themselves in low and horror-struck voices.
It was now a few minutes before five o'clock.
In the Committee room—where the bright fire was still burning—Gilbert Lothian remained.