But an unexpected event happened.

His pent-up eagerness to denounce the present methods of Christianity, his fullness of utterance, defeated his purpose.

He was overcome with a kind of pulpit fright.

His ideas of time and place fled him.

After beginning, "Mr.Chairman, in rising to propose the toast of our worthy Archdeacon--Fellow Manxmen--the present moment--er--er--the proudest in my--er--life--Dearly beloved Golly--unaccustomed as I am to public speaking," he abruptly delivered the benediction and sat down.