THE ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION

Otago Witness, Issue 2808, 8 January 1908, Page 34

THE ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION

FAREWELL SERVICE. (Fbom Our 'Own Correspondent.) CHRISTCHURCH, December 31. i A short, and impressive farewell service , was conducted on the Nimrcd this morning by Bishop Julius, assisted by the Rev. E. Eliot Chambers . and the • Rev. Canon Ccates. Lieutenant^ Shaokleton, Captain England, the whole of the ship's company, ''and most of the scientific staff were present. As the officers, scientists, and men, all in full uniform, assembled upon the poop (which was sheltered by an awning and 6greened off from the public gaze by flags) the ship's bell tolled out the summons to worship, and somehow the moon- . ( gruities faded: away for very littleness, j The service opened with the hymn " Fight j the good fight," and the strong voices pf i the men- rose above exterior sounds of harbour activity, of the thump of hammers, | and "the rattle and snarls of steam winohes. The prayers were recited by the Rev Chambers, the Bishop reading as the lesson part of the thirty-seventh chapter of the Book of Job." As the text for his address, his Lordship selected the fifth .verso of -the thirty-seventh Psalm: " Commit thy way unto the Lord ; trust also in Him^ and , He shall bring it to pass." The special prayers all breathed the warm solicitude of their -kinsmen, for the safety and success of -those about to launch .on the great undertaking, while the hymn "Eternal Father, strong to save " struck the keynote of -the whole -memorable episode, -the key-" note "of faith and unswerving sympathy and hope. - The benediction, was pronounced by the Bishop, and the hearty singing of the " Old Hundredth " witnessed the closing of the service.