THE GATE OF LIFE.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 209, 15 September 1916, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE GATE OF LIFE.

Rather more than a a year ago, there passed away, saw* Charles E. Benham in an' English paper, William Wjllett, the author and originator of the Daylight Saving Scheme. The latter years of his earth life were devoted to his ideal with an energy and intensity of purpose that »eemed indefatigable, but in spite o* all his efforts his appeal fell on deaf ears as far as our legislators were concerned, for though numerous public bodies passed resolutions in favour ol his proposal, a Royal Commission reported unfavoruably upon it, and the scientific world looked askance at it, as the orthodox votaries of science still do.

Mr. Willett passed away, and the very nest year something like a miracle happened. Suddenly the scheme sprang (nto favour with the principal European nations. Our hitter enemy, Germany adopted it without a moment's hesitation. Great Britain, in spite of it* Royal Commission's anathemas, quick, ly followed siut. France reconsidered its repudiation of the scheme and also adopted it. Italy and other countries «-ame under the spell, and there can hs little doubt that the principle is hound Co become practically universal in the countries to which it applies. With the merits of the scheme w© are not concerned. The point 1 would emphasise Is the mysterious influence which, after its originator had passed over to the spirit world, suddenly swayed opinion jn its favour and accomplished at a sweep what Willett, when on earth, so vainly laboured to uchive. [f, as we believe," it is from the influence of the minds in the cause-world of spirit that ideas are spread and established on the earth-plane, have we nol at least a plausible explanation of this remarkable incident in the theory that the nventor of daylight saving found himself in the spiritual world more potent to affect the minds of menu hereby influx than he was by his literature <ind lectures while in the flesh? Then., he strove to influence from without; afterwards, from within and with rnucn more telling results. May we pursue the possibilities of this suggestion by considering the more recent happening that has plunged the whole nation Jnto such great sorrow—the tragic death of Lord Kitchener. r»y what seemed such a cruel fate? The «ir is full of lament for the ''irreparable loss"' that the nation has sustained, and there is no need tp_ minimise the depth of that loss. But of its " irreparable" character wo are, perhaps, not competent judges. We need not imagine that Lord Kitchener is less imbued now with whole-hearted patriotism than he has been throughout his whole career. His love for his country and his hatred .against the aggressions ot a ruthless foe are not likely to be obliterated by the incident of passing through the ve : l. Un the other hand his outlook may well be enlarged and his powers vastly extended. Time will perhaps show us what he is capable of effecting towarus accomplishing the great purposes of his soul now that he is unhampered by earth limitations. His message to us at this moment would probably be one of acknowledgment that his work on earth was finished when the summons came, but that from beyond he ; s still working with new and greater scope and power towards the same end, and perhaps with clearer vision of the ways and means that will soonest tend to" t'te emancipation >f Europe from the horrors of war.