Thoughtful Moments

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 92, 21 July 1944, Page 2

Thoughtful Moments

(Supplied by the Whakat

BIG BEN SILENT MINUTE The origin of the Big Ben Minute is probably known to few. It is. the outcome of a conversation between two British officers, billeted in a cave, on a hillside near Jerusalem in December, 1917. They were expecting a battle next day and one of them had an intuition that lie would not survive, but that his friend would do so and would live; to see a mightier conflict fought, out in every continent. He felt that millions of others in the Great Beyond would be longing to play their part, though not. with material weapons, in what they regarded as a righteous war and he asked that they should be given a moment of time each <lay. "Through your silence give us our opportunity. The power of silence is greater than you know," he said. Next day this officer was killed in battle, but his friend, Major Tudor Pole, though wounded, survived, and it was due to his efforts that twenty-three' years later Big Ben boomed for the first time from wireless sets on Sunday, Armistice. Day, November llth r 1940. When the present war began Major Pole, now retired from the army, set himself the task of world-wide recognition of the "moment each day" for which his friend had asked. He began this effort in earnest on St. George's Day, April 23rd, 1940. He asked that everyone should at 8.59 each day observe 1 a minute, of silence for "thought, prayer and a personal renewal of courage, resolution and l'aith." With the help of a small committee he wrote to M.P.s, church leaders, heads of schools. Toe H, newspaper representatives and others and he published a pamphlet called "The Spiritual Front," explaining the. object of the minute's silence.

As a result of these efforts it was considered that about a quarter of a million people were keeping "the minute before 9" observance, but Major Pole -wanted a wider response. He wanted it to be Empire-wide. More and more influential people began to take an interest in the movement and at last the BBC was induced to broadcast the chimes of Big Ben at 9 p.m. each evening as from Armistice Sunday, November 10th, 1940.

ne Ministers' Association).

On the evening before Mr Howard Marshall explained the reason for broadcasting the chimes. He spoke of national unity in the struggle against Nazi Germany and of the determination that out of chaos should come a better world. "There's

OUR SUNDAY MESSAGE

no doubt that we must face the future courageously," he said, "that we must build for the future wherever we may; above all that, we must find fresh standards on which to build and some will be seeking these standards as Big Ben strikes."

New Zealand was the lirst Dominion to introduce the silent minute. This it did on April 9th, 1941 1 when every station played a recording of the Big Ben chimes which had been stfnt out from London for the purpose. The New Zealand Parliament was the first to relay the voice of Big B?n in the House. That was on July 23rd, 1941. In September of that year the Australian Broadcasting Service, introduced a daily pause for private prayer in. the minute before noon. •

The Times, London, referred to the Big Ben Minute as "an opportunity for re-dedication to the great effort in which the country is engaged, for thoughts of those who are absent, or for other individual needs. " The Archbishop of Canterbury suggested that we should say silently tile Lord's Prayer, each petition with each successive stroke. Adapted from the book published by A. Dakers. GOD'S GIFTS There's a bright side to everything, and it's well worth seeking. And very often it's not so hard to find. "As through our streets we walk to-«day, Such dismal talk we hear; Of eggs and sugar being so scarce, And fish so very dear! But have you ever paused to think That the greatest things are free? Have you considered the priceless wealth Of the gifts God giveth thee? Have you thought of limbs that are sound? Of a mind that's strong and clear? Of the light, that's, shed by a kindly smile? Of the price of an eye or ear? Do you know that laughter's unrstioned yet? Oh! in this we should rejoice! And there's still no tax on the bird's sweet song, Or the, brooklet's merry voice! j The joy of friendship is also free, And the peace of the shady glen; And the faith that's gleaned from the steadfast hills— These are God's good gifts \o men."