MOUNTED RIFLES CAMP.

Motueka Star, Volume I, Issue 35, 10 December 1901, Page 3

MOUNTED RIFLES CAMP.

After a very successful week, during which the corps received valuable instruction in all departments at the hands of Lieutenant Davis, the camp broke up on Monday morning, the work of removing the tents and other paraphernalia being left till the weather moderates. During the week a number of men finished the class-firing therein - earning capitation. On Saturday there were 85 men and officers on parade, being the full strength of the company. Volley firing was also got off. On Sunday morning divine service was held on the ground. The Rev Thomas Johnston, who officiated, took for his text II Chronicles, chap. 32, verse 8 : "With us is the Lord our God to help us, and to fight our battles."

The preacher, in the beginning of his address, referred to the object of this, the ist encampment of the Motueka M.R. They were making history. They were doing something not for the present alone, but for the future. He spoke of our Contingents sent to South Africa, and of the consequences involved in the eyes of the world. As a Colony, we had, were, passed from childhood and taken upon us the responsibilities of young manhood. He asked, Are we afraid of all this ? Do we. grieve or feel sorry, or do we wish we had not sent our sons and comrades to fight our country's battles in Transvaal, and to relieve the oppressed and down-trodden of our brethren V No, he said, not for a moment. We believe that this war is, on our part, a just war. It was forced upon us. We asked for peace, and the enemy prepared for war. We asked for justice, and they challenged us to mortal combat. He impressed upon them to learn to defend themselves against a foreign foe ; to perfect themselves in the discipline so necessary to make them good and efficient soldiers of our King and country ; to use their intelligence, and the knowledge God has given them ; to use the best weapons placed at hand with the utmost skill of which they are capable. But not to trust in them further than as means to a desired end. To put their trust and confidence in the Most High God, who alone can gird them with strength to do battle,' and who can bless their efforts, and crown them with success, for the issue of the battle is the Lord's. He quoted Napoleon Bonaparte. In his younger years there was much to make him vain-glorious in his wonderful success. But when he turned against Bible-loving England, and pointed it at the heart of a Christian Nation his sword was foiled, and a greater than he raised up to withstand and overthrow him. We read his ory with little profit if we do not see that the words of our text are true to us also. But if at any time we forsake the God of our Fathers, and give up our faith in Christ crucified, if we cease to love our Bible, and to follow- its holy teaching, then God will cast us off and no longer go forth with our armies. National religion is the great security of National greatness. Look to Ancient History and see Empires successively sink into the tomb ; all their grandeur and wealth mingled with the st nds of the desert, —forgotten till ages afterwards some wanderer discovers that he treads on the silent city of

I the dead. They had-not in them the inrj mortal principles of our most Holy Faith. Look again to Modern History, and see what countries are prosperour, and why ? Was Spain not brave and daring, enterprising and successful ? But she crushed out, in agony and death, —through her terrible Inquisitation—the heart's blood of those faithful Christians, who would have been the salt of her National life, and banished that Book ot books that would have been the mainspring of her prosperity. In conclusion, he earnestly asked them to enter the service of their God and King, the service of the King whom our kingjworships ; whom our Nation professes to'worship. To take unto them the whole armour of God, so that when life's battle is over—when they have fought their fight and finished their earthly course—they will lay their armour down and enter into peace, perfect peace, in the presence of their Maker, Redeemer, and Sanctifier. The service was materially assisted by the presence of St. Thomas' choir who took part in the chants ; also by the Nelson Garrison Band which played the hymn music very nicely. During the afternoon the corps was exercised in field movements.

The promenade concert, organised by the Band, was well attended by the general public, it being estimated that fully 600 people were present. Admission was b} T silver coin, and the proceeds amounted to over .£6.

Major Woolf, officer commanding the Nelson District, was present during the day.

Taken altogether the camp was a great success, the attendance of volunteers being very good. The locality selected by the- officers was all that could be desired there being ample room for field movements, close to the butts and within easy distance of the river. The only drawback, if it can be so-called, was the distance from Motueka. The. lasge marquee, which had been erecled by the men during the week, was found to be of great service.