The Dominion. MONDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1918. "THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE"

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 57, 2 December 1918, Page 4

The Dominion. MONDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1918. "THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE"

The Imperial War Graves Commission has wisely decided in favour of the sound principle of uniform headstones for the graves of our fallen heroes of all ranks. Every one of that glorious band did his duty nobly. AH were faithful even unto death. All gave their lives for their country, and more than that no man can give. It is fitting that uniform monuments should be erected to commemorate the names of men who made the same supreme sacrifice. They fought side by side in the same fine spirit for the same great cause. Their lives as soldiers were joined together in ■ one splendid fellowship, and in death they should not be divided, or even appear to be divided, into grades of greater and less. The same idea of equality of sacrifice is expressed in the inscription which is to be placed on the great war stone which is to form the central feature in all the soldiers' cemeteries abroad. "Their name liveth for evermore"—so runs the inscription. It is entirely appropriate, dignified, and impressive. Those five simple English words convey an uplifting idea of largeness—the breadth, and height, and depth of eternity. There is nothing petty or paltry about them; there is no striving for effect. Nothing more can bo said, and anything less would be inadequate.. Entirely fitting in themselves, the words of the inscription are made still more suitable by their honourable historic associations. They form part of a, well-known passage in the book of Ecelesiasticus which is often recited at commemorations of founders and benefactors of English colleges and other educational establishments. It was read most impressively by Mr. Balfour at a meeting held in London Mcenfcly in' remembrance of the Empire's gallant dead. The Authorised Version is (in part) as fol'ows: — Let us" now praise famous men. • And our fathers that 'begat us. The Lord hath wrought great gloty by them Through His great power from the beginning. * * * * All these were honoured in their generations, And were the glory of their times/ There be of them that have left a name behind them, That their praises might, he reported. And some.there be which have no memorial; Who are perished, as though they had never been; And are become as though they had never been horn; . And their children after them. i But. these .were uierciful men, Whose righteousness hath i;ot been forgotten. * * , * . * Their seed shall remain for ever, And their glory shall not be blotted out. Their bodies are 'buried in peace; , But their name liveth for evermore. .The people will tell of their visdom, And the congregations will show forth their praise. ' According to the Revised Version the words chosen for the inscription should read: "Their name liveth to all generations"; and the rendering of the Douai Version is: "Their name shall live from generation unto generation." Both of these renderings are in some respects preferable to that of the Authorised Version. They fill in the sheer vastness of'the "evermore."_ They provide material for the imagination to work upon. ; They suggest the outlines of a picture, and convey the idea of each generation recounting with gratitude the heroic deeds of the men who during the great war of- 1914-18 sacrificed their lives to save civilisation and to prevent freedom from being thrust.out of the world. Each generation in turn recalls to memory the story of that tremendous conflict between good and evil, and hands on the,, tradition to the next, and so the name and fame of the men who went forth to battle from every British land.will live for evermore, to all and through all generations. But if the Revised text is more I vivid and suggestive, the' Authorised translation is magnificently simple, and has become endeared to Britishers on account of its many sacred associations. Its historial setting adds much to.its value. Its adoption brings the men who died for us, and for those who will come after us, into direct line with the illustrious band of benefactors of our raceSuch as did hear rule in their kingdoms, Men renowned for their power, Giving counsel by their understanding, And declaring prophecies; Leaders of the people by their counsels, Wise and eloquent in their instructions. Mankind has had no greater benefactors than the soldiers who laid down their lives- for country, for freedom, for justice, and for good faith among all nations. They have won a high place among the world's famous men. They have earned the everlasting praise and gratitude of a world which owes its salvation to their valour. New Zealand has her own roll of honour, and will no doubt raise appropriate memorials whjch will ensure that the names of our soldiers shall, never be forgotten. The account of their-.achieve-ments will form the greatest _ chapter in the history of the Dominion; but they fought and diad, not only for New Zealand, not only for the British Empire, but also for the rights of humanity.