Thoughtful Momemts

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 309, 23 May 1941, Page 6

Thoughtful Momemts

Padre Keith Watson gives to us an interesting account of his own work as well as that ol' our other chaplains in the Middle £ast. At present we have four of our chaplains in Helwan—McKenzie, Spence, Strang and myself. Dodds is at Helmilk and Griffiths is expected in a day or two. Wo, are all keeping very' fit and finding our time fully occupied with various duties. Here is a brief outline of our work as at present. As this camp is far flung U has necessitated two Y.M.C.A.'s at strategic points. McKenzie and Strang's work is centred around the Western Y.M.C.A., and Spence and I concentrate our activities, on the Eastern Y.M.C.A. At both ends Bible Classes are held each week. These meetings are well attended and it is encouraging to see so manv 13.C. men true to the standards of the movement, after each class is served, and this gives the | opportunity for friendly contacts, j Communion services are held each ( Sunday morning at both places at . 10.15. The attendances, at these are often affected by camp duties, but j we generally get about fourteen at each service. It may be of interest to you to hear something about the compul- ' sory church parades. The men are formed up and march to the build-

OUR SUNDAY MESSAGE (Supplied by the Wliakatane Ministers' Association).

s ing detailed lor the service. Tim i order of service, which occupies • hall an hour usually is hymn, prayer, reading by C.O. or any otlier officer, prayer, hymn, address, hymn, benediction. The scrvice closes with the singing of the National Anthem. It is a great opportunity and privilege speaking to over six hundred men, and wc have nil been impressed by the reverence of the men at these services. The singing, too, as you can imagine is j whole-hearted and stirring. i A few Sunday's ago denominational church parades were held. Wc 1 \velcomed this opportunity of speak- ' ing to the men of our own Church, j and the communion services foil owning were very well attended. On Sunday evening Y.M.C.A. song services aie held, followed bv a free supper. The Y.M.C.A. is do- | ing a great job of work over hero and fulfilling a definite need to the J camp. In each cf their buildings is a large writing room, social room, kitchen, offices and padre's room. . Refreshments are served at certain I hours and volunteers assist in the j kitchen and buffet. It says well for the men that so many offer their services especially for the rather tedious work of dish-washing for an hour or two. Chaplains have their set hours 01 duty at these huts and assist in all

the activities connected with the Y.M.C.A. An important part of our work is hospital visiting and loolting-up, particularly the men of our own units. We also visit the detention barracks where the visiting chaplain [ holds a short service. Services are also held for the guards at the prison camp. The prisoners arc well treated and as far as possible everything is done for their welfare. Padre MaKe,nzie in this particular sphere has good Avork and many an I'talian is indebted to him for practical kindnesses shown. Our time is taken up in many other ways. Censoring letters, contacting men and social work. We have been fortunate, so far in having tents to ourselves. This has been a big adavntage as men have been able to look us u]| andi t<alk over private matters and questions of interest to them. As far as possible we enter into the life of our units, going out on their manoeuvres and route inarches and taking part in their sport. In closing, I should like to say that our senior chaplain, Padre McKenzie, has been a great help to us all. His experience, his counsel, and his ready willingness to help us have been much appreciated. We have a chief who has our utmost confidence and respect. MOTHER COUNTRY Very small is England, But she is very' strong, And her hand falls heavy On those who do her wrong. Our hearts of all her children Spread across the earth, Beat as one for England, Thank her for their birth. To keep our English spirit, Our crystal sense of right. Unsullied from the doctrine That only force is might. England is so tiny, England is so great, There is 110 room within her For a shoddy iliing like hate. —Dorothy Jacob, in, the "Empire Re,view." From "The Dominion." THY STRENGTH AND MY DAY Give me Thy strength for my day, That wheveso'i'er I go, There shall no danger daunt me And I shall fear no foe; So shall no task o'ercome me, ,So shall no trial fret, So shall I walk unwearied The path where my feet are set; So shall I find no burden Greater than I can bear, So shall I have a courage Equal to all my care; So shall no grief o'erwhelm me, So shall no wave overflow — Give me Thy strength for my day, Lord, Cover my weakness so. The Baptist, Chicago.