THE DIGGING DAYS.

Shannon News, 9 May 1924, Page 3

THE DIGGING DAYS.

Archdeacon ISusor, sometime Archdeacon of Akaroa, is contributing his ‘ ‘Reme ; nillM‘4Ulc^is , ’ to the Christchurch Star, la a, recent r issue lie says:— < 'lhey were a rough lot, those dig-: gers, hut kind-hearted, and some Ad: them religious in their way. 1 flunk Besunt s miner in the “Golden Butterliy” must have been a reside, lit in Wakamarina in my time, lor one oi . the men,, during a- chat, in liis hut. . said in all seriousness: “Well, sir, l"m not what you might cull religious. , hut I assure you it I’m not too drunk i to get through the door, 1 never miss , saying my prayers before 1 roll inti ; my bunk.” 1 often wondered what I i the prayer was like and one day k | was taught a lesson, which: has madef its mark upon my theology lor a , iiJetime. News was brought me that! a man had been almost crushed to death by a fall of rock. Until medica. • aid could be brought 1 .hurried out ty, tlie mine to give what help 1 could, j Tiiere at. the mouth of the drive lay , the m;m, whom I knew a.s one of the \ worst, characters' in the place. Uatlb , and foul language seemed his only ( vehicle of expression. He ]av uncori- . scions and the thought came" to me . what possible hope, is there for surf \ a one? But kneeling down I com J unaided the passing soul to (rod’s , mercy. The lips of the stricken man , moved, there was no other sign oi life. 1 bent low 1,0, hear. At first ■ , could not, but soon I caught the words , and what were they? From those J lips so often full of curses, now, white and drawn with pain fell whispering ly tlie words we knew so well: — Jesu, tender Shepherd, hear me,

Blass Thy little lamb to-night; Through the darkness be Thou near me, Keep me safe till the morning light. And who dare sav that, those words learned at a mother's knee, that prayer for guidance! through flu; darkness •of the vallev of the shadow into the light or Paradise was not heard—and answered ?