KITCHENER'S OMINOUS WORDS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2596, 19 October 1915, Page 6

KITCHENER'S OMINOUS WORDS

VOLUNTARY SERVICE—THE FINAL CALL "THE ONLY REAL LIFE THAT j MATTERS NOW." "The ominous telegram" regarding Lord Kitchener's attitudo to tho recruiting problem was referred to by tho Rev. A. M. Johnson in his sermon at St. Paul's pro-Cathedral on Sunday morning. Mr. Johnson said a very critical juncture has been reached, and expressed tho opinion that tho young manhood of tho nation is now having its last chance of answering voluntarily to the Empire's call. The address was based oil the Gospel for tho day, tho Parable, of tho Royal Marriage Feast. Tho speaker asked what was tho real fault of the men who aro hold up as warnings for all time. What lay behind tho great refusal—tho refusal that involved such awful consequences ? It was that tfiey had not sufficient loyalty to their King to lay asido "farm and merchandise" when the clear call camo. It is an onsy thing to pledge oneself for tho future; to enter into obligations i>hat do not interfere with tho work of the moment. One can accept with pleasure invitations that do not call for immediate action. Such days are over for us as a nation —as a Christian race. Ho is blind indeed who cannot see that the present time is the final invitation and call to many of us to voluntary service—to enter into the deep, real lifo of tho nation, tho nation at her best, doing her work because it is service. - Tho ominous telegram regarding Lord Kitchener's attitude towards tho Cabinet must come as a call. Come I Come! Opportunities aro growing less and less. Millions have accepted the caJL and theirs is the glory of service. These aro the men from whom tiio Britain, the Empire of tho future will spring—those who have given up "the farm and tho merchandise" —the brilliant prospects that were theirs; and if God lias seen fit to call them, they have sorvodL [they have breatned the spirit on wliich the Empire prides herself —freedom, liberty of service. They have lived the lifo, the only real life that matters now. Britain's Jife matters! That only matters now. Would that to-day the call ! might' stir the Empire: "Comol All things axe ready." But the trouble lies in tho many who make light of the ca'l, and prefer "the farm and the merchandise." Business must go on: but it must not go on as usual. There is but one chance. We must be so <organised that we must be able to make our best output in men and material; so organised that every one who owns allegiance, over whom the Union Tick floats, may be able in some way to serve. Failing that—if tho claims of "the farm and the merchandise'' are •not put in their proper place—we srall lose the full life of the nation and our joy in entering into it.