MEMORIAL SERVICE

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2170, 8 June 1914, Page 6

MEMORIAL SERVICE

i THE ST. LAWRENCE TRAGEDY AN IMPRESSIVE ADDRESS BY DR.SPROTT MYSTERY OF SUFFERINC. There was a largo congregation nt tho Missions to Seamen Church, in Whitnioro Street, yesterday afternoon, whon a momorial service was held in connection with tho foundering of the Empress of Iroland .off the coast of Canada on May 29, and tho loss of 1032 lives.- The Anglican Bishop of Wellington (Dr. Sprott) was the preacher, and ho was assisted in the service by Canon Garland; and Mr. W. E. Cocks (of tho Missions to Seamen). Amongst thoso present were the Hon. James Allen, the Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout), Mr. A. H.Hindmarsh, M.P., representatives of tho Salvation Army, and a number of seamen from vessels in port. After an expression of sympathy forthe sufforers by tho disaster and commendiug them to tho guidance and comfort of God in their sorrow, the Bishop said that such catastrophes revived all the ancient' questionings and difficulties which great calamities have always provoked. If we had no faith in a God of love and power, such sorrows and calamities'would wound our. hearts, but would not perplex our consciences. Men Risked why could such things happen in a world created - and ruled by perfect love and -Almighty power. Ho did not profess to bo ablo to find a perfect solution of the problem. Only a mind which could grasp the whole could understand the full meaning of all the parts. We were liko little children gazing on some great and complex machine.", Tho various parts would bo unintelligible to them. person who understood the machine as' a wholo could frilly understand tho .'full purpose'of .its parts.. But whilo we-'cpuld not give a complete answer to tho obstinate questions which great catastrophes suggested, we could see some meaning and purposo in them. We could see in some measure why life hero should not be perfectly comfortable and safe, without trial, pain, or difficulty. Wo could seo enough of its meaning to trust where we could not see, and to believe that -if we- under- • stood the wliole we would find ii worthy of God. Wo were placed in the world for education. Ease was not the supreme end which God had in view for ns. If primitive man had found life perfectly comfortable ho would have remaino'd a babe in intellect. He was surrounded and threatened: by great unknown and in order not to bo .crushed by them he tried-to understand them. Ho wanted to uso thenu and out of the desire to live arose .tho desire to know. Hero wo had tho explanation of tho quest of knowledge which had done so much for the progress of humanity. In this way God trained the mind.of man.. Again, if life! was perfectly happy and'safe; and , all was'absolutely certain, characterwould never have acquired some of its most winning graces. In such a comfortable and happy world there would be no use for sympathy. - The uncertainty of life taught us to be tender and-gentle.. . • . ' . .

' The hymn "Eternal Father Strong to Save" was sung after the sermon, and when fcho benediction had beon pronounced, tho congregation remained standing, whilst Mr. R. Parker (organist of St. Paul's Pro-Cathedral) played tho Dead March in "Saul." The choir of St. Paul's was also present, and nssitsed in tho musical portion of, tho service, and sang the anthem'"Crossing tho Bar." ' ' ' '

SALVATION CATHERINC. ;'AT.THE GRAND OPERA HOUSE. PRIME MINISTER'S LETTER.. The Grand Opera ,Honso was packed last night on the occasion of a memorial . service for , those ; who lost their lives in the foundering of tho Empress of Ireland, when over 100 Salvation Army officers and soldiers were drowned. Among, thoso present were the Hon. 'James Allen,, Sir Robert Stout (Chief Justice), Mr.' J. Hislop, tho Hon. C. M. Luke, the Mayor (Mr. J. P.' Luke), and tho Chines© Consul. Tho Chief Secretary of tho Salvation Army (Lt.Col. Powley) and Mrs. Powley, Mrs. Commiasiane.r Richards (wifo ■of the Territorial Commander, who is now in London attending the International Congress),. National Headquarters staff, other officers, and the Wellington City Salvation Army and Wellington South bandsmen occupied seats on the platform.

Brigadier J. Bray gave an account of the disaster, with particulars of the 'Army's loss'. Their, hearts, ho said,' were plunged in sorrow, not only for tho loss of so many Salvationists and for those w : ho were left behind, but also for the- orphan and tho widow and tho homes that had been desolated by tho disaster. From all classes and creeds had com© messages of sympathy with the Army. Tho Bishop of Wellington (Dr. Sprott) had written regretting that lie could not be present, and conveying his most respectful sympathy .regarding, tho loss which they had sustained. Similar expressions hadcomo from General Godley, Archdeacon Harper, tho sth Regimental Band, tho Wellington Wharf Labourers' Union, and ministers of the various churches. The Primo Minister had that day forwarded to tho Chief Secretary a letter expressing tho Government's sympathy. Mrs. Richards then addressed tho gathering, remarking that she was personally acquainted with many of those who; had lost tlioir lives. ;' , .'' : :

Tho Chief Sccrotary, in tho course of an impressive . address, said that, tho disaster would only servo to stimulate them in tho work to which God bad called them. The sympathy which they had received had greatly touched thorn, and the hearts of aU'Salvationists-wcnt out to those'who bad'.lost loved ones and friends; in the.calamity.' Tho spcakor paid.-.! high tribute to the Army officers* and sohiicrs who" had and. iu'&ferring to Commissioner Rees, the t 'chief of tho forces in Canada, said that ho had worked and toiled day and night, going about .doing good, for tho Master whom he served. . During!the meeting the bands played the.Dead March in "Saul," and Mrs. Brainsby sang tho solo "Abide With Me," while the Wellington _City Songsters, "under the condiictbrship of Major Cdlledge. gave the selection "The Lord is My Shepherd:"" ' " "' OTHER SERVICES. THE HUTT VALLEY CHURCHES. Referenc was again made in many churches throughout the Hutt Valley yestcrda'y to tho recent disaster at sea and'.prayer offered for the bereaved ones. In some cases special memorial services were held. An impressive service* was conducted by Adjutant Hultquist, of.lhePctone Salvation Army, at tho.barracks, Sydney Street, last evening, ' a very large audience attending. Af -Nelson Street Methodist Church, Petone, tho Rev.' J. J. Lewis preached a special sermon.. to. a large congregation* yesterday morning. The choir, under Mr. Ackroyd, rendered the anthems "Crossing the Bar" and "Peaco, Perfect; Peace.'" Mr. Lewis also spoke in •the evening at the Jackson ' Street' Church.