LIFE EVERLASTING

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 253, 1 November 1939, Page 1

LIFE EVERLASTING

By- Rov. O. G . G. Salt. . Sir Richard Gregory, in his presidential address to the .British Association tor the Advancement of Science, said rather sadly, “Though science is unable to provide any positive evidence for the survival of Personality Rafter death, it must aekhpuTedge that belief in such a survival i.s a powerful ethical factor in. human development”. And in same vein he added, “Though science may not be able to contribute much to the ultimate problems of spiritual beliefs, it does teach that every action carries with it a consequence to he felt either by ourselves or by others, in our time, or in generations to come”.

These are interesting words to come from such a source at ' thi.s time of year when the Church Catholic throughout the world is keeping the solemn festival of AH Hallows. For the Church, having seen, the Resurrection of her Lord, and having her thousands of witnesses who have had personal communion with the departed, believes most firmly ill the survival of the Personality after death. Rub why *do we speak of this festival ;is a solenVu one. instead of calling it plainly a joyous one?

It is a joyous one, but there is a shadow of sorrow which lies over it too for those who love mankind. The Christian ia hi.s joy of knowing there is a glorious life shared by the saints with. God, cannot help hut sorrow a little over the blindness of his fellow men who still grope in the darkness of uncertainty.. And too- lie sometimes sees the sorrows which still cling to hoiy souls even as it still clings to the Soul of the Great Master. Christ. For even the Communion of Saints must carry with it its pathetic side.

It was my privilege to know very intimately the son. of a very great Christian man. This son, however, was not like his father in many ways »s a young man. It was not that ho was wicked or vicious, hut chat lie was adventurous, ca’relos.s, irresponsible; one of those many who do noftroalise that, as Sir Richard Gregory says, “Every action carries with it a consequence to, be felt by others, either in our time,., or hi generations to conic”. I lost sight of this young man for a time, and then met with him again; and ho was changed. There was still the old care-freo recklessness, but he had added to it a marvellous regularity in his • . clnirch-going. 1 was astonished., and asked him. why this great change? Th© cheerful grin which was habitual to his face changed to a far more serious smile, and he said, “You remember my old man, don’t you? Ho was a great saint, and one night alter l had been out on rather a spicy spree, he*.-cam© and sat by my hod and looked at. me. He never said a. word, lie just smiled at me; hut he looked awfully sadi”. I'j had to turn away so> 9s not. to intrude on hi.s obvious feelings; for 1 knew that lie spoke of something which had •happened long;after his lather’s deaths There is that rather sorrowful side t ( > the joys which the Communion of the faithful who have passed over, with those who still have their work to do on this side. But what joy there must he too for those on the other side, as year by year on All Souls Hay -ty they see their friends- on this side come into the Father’s House and remember them. As Sir Richard Grog? orv says.'“Every action carries with it its congruences.”