THE BIRTH OF A NATION

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 1, 27 September 1920, Page 6

THE BIRTH OF A NATION

1 DOMINION DAY IN THE CHURCHES TRIBUTES TO EARLY COLONISTS Wellington churches yesterday observed Dominion Day, by- special services, and many tributes were paid by thb various denominations to the hardy bands of settlers who conquered privation and scorned danger, with a result that Ne> Zealand to-day shows. Although not what is usually termed a religious commemoration day, Dominion Day yesterday was considered as such in tho vanous places of worship, and 'tenuous in eulogy of the pioneers marked i the services. ! In St. Paul's Anglican Pro-Cathedrru there were two services, conducted by tho Veil. Archdeacon A. M. Johnson. Special musio was played, nnd tne cllolr ren " dered suitable anthems. Tho sermon relative to Dominion Day was based on the hymn "0 God of Jacob, by whose hand .. ~ this being tho hymn that the settlers sang when first they set foot an Petal* beach, so many years ago. In the course of his address Mr..Johnson spoke of the tribJs of tho pioneers. They had come to a country practically unknown, and had como knowing that dangers would confront them. They had succeeded in building the foundation of a great country, that had grown in but a few years to the status of a Dominion. Services were held at the other Anglica.i churches. By request of His Graco Archbishop 6'Shea, special services were held at all the Catholic churches in every diocese, and appropriate sermons were preached in honour of Dominion Day. During tint 10.30 o'clock Mass at the Basilica, Hill Street, the Rev. Father Smytho gave an eloquent address. He considered it was the duty of all to thank God for themar.y graces and privileges bestowed on tfv> people of New Zealand. He paid a high compliment to the early settlers of the Dominion, to whose efforts, he said, mut'ii of the present-day prosperity of the country was due. These gallant people showed in their lives and conduct toward their fellow-settlers a spirit of tolerance and good-will to all. He contended that their actions and lives were in- strong contrast to many >|t the preset day who were continually stirring up religions strilco and bitterness, resulting in a wave of bigotry aid sectarianism that was to be deplored. Tho Rev. H. W. Burridge conducted the commemoration service at St. John's Presbyterian Church, making special reference to the circumstances of Dominion Day, and to the arrival of Lord Jellicoe, which will'' take place this morning. He urged on the young people present the importance of the day, and gave a resume of New Zealand's history from 1642, when it was discovered by Tasman, to 1907, when ilie King's Proclamation made it n Dominion. Ho declared that the best present to give New Zealand on her birthday was to cultivate qualities of loyalty to the King, to self-government, and, above all, obedience to God. He referred to Kipling's poem, "If," as demonstrating standards of character which would help to build the Umpire. The sermon was based on Psalm 23, the preacher dealing with the psalm as being an epitome of human life guided and controlled by God. There were many present in the ohurch whose memory went back many years. Special music was played by Mr.. E. IV. Kerry, and anthems were sung by the choir. The Jewish Feast of Tabernacles— Succoth-occu'rred yesterday, and services in honour both of the festival and of Dominion Day were conducted at the Synagogue by the Eev. H. Van Staveren, Rabbi of Wellington. In his sermon, the minister referred to the fact that in New Zealand all creeds had rights bestowed on them, all were free and equal, and this tho Jewish race had always appreciated. The country always received with 'open arms those who obeyed the law and strove to live peacefully, not molesting their fellow-eountrymen. He paid tribute to the settlers of tho Dominion's infancy, considering [that they had given New Zealand the necessary start in her life as a nation. In other churches, similar service! were held in. the morning and evening.