Address by the Rev. D. J. A. Shaw

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 134, 23 June 1937, Page 8

Address by the Rev. D. J. A. Shaw

"A man shall be as an hiding place from the wind and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place , as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land." Isaiah 32:2 rf/ have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith " Timothy4:7 Below is printed the address delivered by the Bey. D. J. A. Shaw at the Memorial Service to the late Mr. Cecil Duff. As the minister of St. Andrew's Chureh Mr. Shaw not only testifies to the cleep religious faith of Mr. Duft but eloqiiently expresses the feelings of gratitude that the commuiiity holds towards this citizen whose labours are ended.

r*J.OD gives in every age anc in every place great souls who save our faith in humanity and unconsciously challenge us to nobler living and more devoted service. Such a one was the dear friend whose passing has made so deep an dmprelssion upon the wholo community. As we think of his life, the words of Isaiah come echoing down the ages to our ear: "A man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert fiom the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, and as the fchadow of a great rock in a weary land." How great a company would readily adopt those words as a fit expression of their thought about our departed friend Ayr 1 and, slngbtly adapting the words of Paui, would go on to say of hira what he would never have said of himself: "He has fought a good fight, he has finisheu 'his i-ourse, he has kept the faith." MoffaH's translation is hnlpful in carrying cur thought onward: "I have fought in the good fight; I have run my couree; j have kept the faith. Now the crown of a good bi'e awaits me." Bome have felt disl rosf.ed by the fact that our friend 's life was not a loag one. Let us not s\ rget that mere length does not give us the measure of man's life. Some lives, it'is true, must be measured iu terms of years; but tho truer way is to measure according to the capacity for truth and love aud service. Some et-timate a man's reward ip terms of material wealth; rather should we think of it in the light of the place he makes for himself in the hearts of his feJiows and the approval he wins from liis- God. Well has the bard of Avon said : "We shouid count time by heart throbs; he lives Who thinks most, f'eels the noblest, acts the best," and, ae aptly, Whittier — - "He liveth long who liveth wellj All else ds being flung away. He liveth longest who can tell Of true things truly done eacli day," Thought of thus, Cecil Duff 's life maasures up far beyond that of many who have palssed the "three score and ten." \ Look at the man as men in general saw liim. His was a radiant personality aud he was always readily approachable His nature was gentle, eweet and kind, ar.d thus he readily won ?esponso from meu about him. He was a lover of nacure and of people, and one readily recalls the picture of hdm with a flowor in his button-hole as he ' walked or chatted on the street. His was an eager, alert. penotrating, well-informed mind. What a rare understanding he had. tn unusual degree he could appreciate tho aims and ways of his fellows, even when they differed from him. And what a sense of humour he had! How brave and etrong he was. No wonder he inspired confidence in those who came to h'im for help. PerhapB some of us leaned too hard upon him and unwi,ttingly added to the weight of responsibility he carried. His kindly smile and cheery greeting made tho day brighter an.d the way smoother ioi so many. And what a champion of worthy causes he was. Few know how much of his time and thought was given, particularly in Tecent years, to the affairs of tho Hospital Board. He was not afraid to do the diificult task or to speak in honest criticism. He had thc ability to be provoeative without bedng olfensive, and after the fight he could shake hands and smile without rancour or bitterness. Dare I open to you for a moment the door of his hoine? Because of the happy, helpful relationships there, I must. His was a real home — all too few like it to-day. Husband and wife were true companions, sharing life to tho full. To his wife he was always a tower of sfrength. To his daughters he was ever a true father, a loving companion and a wise guide. In the home eircle the choice things of good literature were read and enjoyed in company. Together they read the Book of Books and such other bool^s as would help them to an intelligent interpretatdon of its pages. To these dear onos he has left the finest possible heritage, a name revered by all who knew him, the imperishable richos of a great love and sacred memories of abidmg inspiratioual power. His religion was his own. Platitudes, mere orthodoxy or creedology could never satisfy his mind and heart. He was an independent thinkor. always sincere and eager for reality. He was honest with God and himself, and therefore honest with men. Hie thonght went deep and he took pains to answor the aueries that arose in his mind. Like Tennyson's friend — "He fought his doubts and gathered strepgth. He would aot make his iudgments blind. He faced the spectres of the mind And laid them: thus he came at length To find a stronger faith' his own And Power was with him in the night. ' ' Intelligently, conseiensciously aud uiumphantly he could have said, in the words of St. Paul; "I know in Whom I have believed." His praycr life was a reality. Praycr was not" so , much to him a matter of words, se't

tiines and special places, but rather a glad consciousness of and ready responsiveness to God. Ae his intimate friend I knew his mind in such matters and can remember how, as we walked and talked oue evening, he said scmething like this: "Prayer in my life means an experience of God which enables me anywbere and' at any time to ask God to help me to play the game, to know His will for me, and how best.to help my fellow man." Iu this congregation his help was invaluable. He had a deep affection |or his Church and his interest in its work and welfare never slackened. He was a lover of the young people and always gave evidence of tender regard for the aged. He helped greatly to keep us from becoming stereotyped in methods of work or from getting into any kind of groove. To me, his minister, his advice and help were of exceptnonal value. He was my loyal friend and consistent encourager. In his professional life, as you know, he won the high esteem and warm affection of those about him, The tribute paid by his fellow-members of the Bar was deeply impressive in its ewident sincerity and deep regard for him as man and fellow-barrister. In him there was no meanness or spirit of animosity towards those who contended . against him^ in legal or in public matters. His public service was as diversified as it was valuable. His time, talent and strength were given ungrudgingly, for his interests and sympathies were wide and deep. Happy the cause wh'ich enlisted him as its champion. So many undertakings in the community owo their success to his leadership, for in spite of difficulty and opposition he. toiled and encouraged others .to toil with him. As we think of his dauntless spirit we would describe him in Browning's stirring words. as "One who never turned his back but marched breast forward, Never doubted clouds would break, Never dreamed, though fight were worsted, wrong would trdumph, Held we fall to rise, are baffle.d to fight better Sleep to wake. " Some men pasa. and tho strain of life flows on, disturbed no more than is the river when some pebbie falls into its depths. The going out of others. seems to stay the flow of the very ocean tide of life's great movement. In our grief at parting, and with the thought of the great help our friend has rendered, we are apt to say: "What an irreplacable loss we have suffered." Not thus must we contiinue to think of this experience. Rather let us thank God for his life, for the help he has rendere.d and for the fellowship we have been. privileged to enjoy. His life must be at once an inspiration and a - challenge. Though we may no more enjoy his physical presence. his spiritual influence should be a continuing reality in our thought and life. , ' "He is not dead whose glorious m:nd lifts thine on high, To live in hearts we leave behind i». not to die." Let us live and work for the things for which he stood, and on, behalf of* whicn he so earnestiy and effectnvely labouiva. There are memorial services and there are memorial stones; and these ahve their place and influence. But the truest and most productive of good results are those set up in human liearts and lives. ShalL we not resolve to-night to che'irish the spirit that vitaliaed and aanctifled the life of Oecil Huff, that.it may be true to say of us as of him; "A man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, and as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land." God help us so to order our lives that we, too. may humbly %ay in sincerity, at the end of the day: "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." Thus, when our time comes to pase beyond the evening shadows, we, too. may be able, as we believe our friend is now, to look up into the face of God and say: "I have finished the work Thou gavest me to do. ' '