A Padre's Ministry.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 122, 17 December 1915, Page 2 (Supplement)

A Padre's Ministry.

By The 11EV. J. 6. STIRLING, Jj.R.U.S.

NICiHT AT THE DARDANELLES.

(Chaplain at uie Dardanelles.)

I had left the lines of tents aiiu wanuered to tne fringe ot sjnd that separated us Irom the sea. Over the water echoed the dull thunder of the guua. •' Padre," asked the Camp Commandant, who hud stepped up to me, "a signal message lias come through saying that at" a man is dying, and wishes to see a chaplain; u 1 get a boat will vou go?'' WHERE TriE APOSTLE PAUL SAILED.

At eight o'clock 1 stepped into a small single-sail boat managed by two Greeks, took my seat at the helm, and put out into the deep for tho unknown shore. It was a silent and impressive journey. Conversation was impossible. Whether or not my mission was understood by the two wiio were throwing all their strength into their labour ido not knew, but 1 imagined fro mthe expression in their eyes that they felt that it was some urgent mission of mercy that was before lis.

We passed under the iron arms of the grey battleships as if they wore spread m protection over the little boat that rose and fell on every wave. \Ve crossed the crescent ot emerald and ruby lamps that hung irom the bow to stern to the hospital ships. V\ e caw the shadowy outline of the destroyers. Overhead twinkled the early stars. Ear away on the dark beach flared a single light, and towards it we steerea. i flunk 1 telt then the emotions that thrilled the hearts of the disciples when at their Master's bidding they rowed lum to the farther shore of the Galilean lake, and 1 remembered that it was over this very sea that the early, apostle heard the cry from Macedonia and went forth, possibly carried by the fellow-countrymen of the men with me, with the gospel message on his lips. Reaching the shore, I found a water barge moored and scrambled over it on to the rocks. 1 had no details as to the man I was seeking beyond the fact that he was somewhere on that shore, and necvied me. so seeing the lamps of an ambulance wagon a few yards away 1 ran towards it, hoping for some guidance, only to find myself entangled in barbed wire and challenged to halt by a watchful sentry, while the Red Cross van passed on its way. A KIND AUSTRALIAN.

Wiping the blood from my hands and knees, 1 struck out for the rough tracfc of the wagon and discovered a wounded Australian who might have been one of Bunyan's characters, so greatly was kindness personified in him. Ho would not direct me, he would go with me, he would make inquiries for me, he would not leave me until I had found his wounded comrade, and then hestood aside waiting in the darkness, perchance he might in some way be needed. He would take some message to the beat for me and again return to inquire il I had any place to Meep. 1 do not know his name nor his address. I met him in the night and ho passed into the darkness, but I believe his name was written that night by the hand that records all goodness.

It was getting late when 1 reached at last a small group of tents, in the centre of which way a table surrounded by doctors deep iu conference. My approach was soon announced, ana tlie Colonel came forward, and taking me by the hand said, "i'adre, we have a lot lor you to do/' No time could lw lost. We exchanged hurried greetings, and I passed on to seek the soul who was awaiting my comiug. YOU WILL TELL Ml* MOTHER."' The tent I was seeking was feebly lighted; its canvas was thrown as) widely as possible to catch what little breeze was blowing. It was so silent that at first 1 thought the meu were sleeping, but when 1 entered 1 beheld a sister kneeling on the ground holding up the head of an Australian soldier. How he smiled as' 1 kneeled beside him; how he clenched his teeth as spasms of pain twisted his injured body; how lie clasped together h's hands and searched my face with his eves as I spoke to him of the Sa\ iout. " Sir, you will tell my mother.' 1 knew all his heart desired. He closed his eyes and rested in sleep. I lifted my eves, and found those in the nearer beds' had drawn themselves still closer to catch tho words of peace, and 1 was compelledl»y the appeal in their eyes to go into other tents and find others who were still awake waiting for someone to unveil the presence of the Lord and give expression to His own benediction.

THE KINDNESS OF BROTHERS. At eleven o'clock 1 turned into a tout and rolled myself in a blanket and fell asleep, to be waked ai half-past five by the words, "They are starting to land 900 more wounded, sir, and some of them are very bad." I learned that two doctors had been sleeping on the shore .all night waiting for any ■wounded who might be brought ashore. Throughout the day, regardloss of the growing heat, unceasing effort was made to ease the pain an* save the lives of these heroic men. Where life was lengthened for a few minutes the doctors with all the kindness of brothers took me to the side of the buffering men that I might give the guidance and consolation that belong to-Heaven. At length an Australian padre arriv. Ed, and 1 was released to return to the British lints and tq carry with men still greater admiration for the men who fprni the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps,