CHURCH PARADE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 815, 22 February 1910, Page 3

CHURCH PARADE.

On Sunday morning some fortyfive school cadets assembled in the school grounds and fell in order for a church parade. Captain Gabites was in command and the boys marched to All Saints’ Church headed by the Foxton Baud. It was a pretty sight to see our young New Zealanders marching through Main Street, and one was impressed with the thought that they were the future defenders of our Dominion. The behaviour was excellent and spoke highly of the training given them by their captain. The church was well filled and the service was aj hearty one. The beautiful hymn of William Boyd, “Fight the good fight” was sung, with spirit and zeal. The sermon was preached by the Rev. A. S. Innes-Jones, Vicar of Feilding, and chaplain to the second battalion of the Wellington Mounted Rifles. He spoke very nicely to the boys, and said how pleased he was to see so many boys and men in church. He drew their attention to the fact that this should not be the case on special occasions only, but that every Sunday they should be found in God’s House. They were soldiers of the Ivmpire, but they were soldiers of Christ and of His spiritual kingdom. The preacher then went on to say how many men could face an enemy and stand up against powder and shot, but it required a very brave man to stand up for Christ and to attend church when his companions jeered and laughed at him. The sermon was very impressive, and one that will be long remembered. After church, the cadets marched back to the school grounds.