"GOD BLESS OLD ENGLAND"

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 80, 27 August 1914, Page 4

"GOD BLESS OLD ENGLAND"

A RIGHTEOUS WAR. THE REAL ENEMY—THE DEMON OP 1 MILITARISM. ADDRESS BY THE BISHOP OF AUCKLAND. Hia Lordship the Bishop of Auckland (Dr. Averill) made some very telling remarks anent the war, in the course of his reply to the welcome tendered to him last night by the members of the St. Mary's congregation. He first referred to the fact, mentioned by the vicar, that no supper had been provided by the ladies for that evening, owing to the ladies having been very busy ° on work for the soldiers going to the front. He was grateful, he said, for the real reason why there was no supper on tho present occasion, as he did not consider this apropos at present. What they must all realise at the present time, he said, was that they must give up Bome pleasures that cost them something if they wanted to be at heart with those who wore representing them at the front. They must be prepared to share their denial by submitting to sacrifices at home, by denying themselves some of their lawful pleasures. He felt sad sometimes, when he saw that some people were making use. of the occasion to obtain extra pleasure. They paid a shilling towards the patriotic fund, but Wanted a shilling's worth of amusement for it. He hoped that locajp a true British spirit would be shown, and that they would not let those who had been brave enough to go to the front suffer for them. When the war first • broke out he felt almost angry that our Empire had been dragged into what had been purely a quarrel between two Continental nations; but when he recognised that another Power had taken advantage of that to try and achieve its longcherished ideal of the supremacy of Europe, and of the world, he said, "God bless old England! Go in to win!" He believed England to be in the right, as she was fighting for justice and righteousness and the establishment of permanent peace. They were face to face with the greatest enemy of peace, that aggressive German militarism which was the enemy of the world and of the fulfilment of God's purpose. He regarded this as a holy war. It was, ho said, absolutely necessary that this spirit of militarism should be killed before progress was assured and the world's peace established. Therefore, sad and terrible as this undertaking was, yet he believed it was a just one. He. was an optimist. England was in the Tight, and the right must prevail. It might cost them much, but he believed the sacrifice would Bo worth it all. He had great respect and honor for those who had gone to the front, but he had greater honor and respect for those, mothers and wives who had sent their sons and husbands to defend the nation's honor. They were indeed the real heroines: they had made the real sacrifice. All honor to the brave women! Let all assist, he said, by going on with their work as quietly and steadily as possible. They must not lose their heads, but, above all, carry out their religious duties. He warned them to keep from feelings of revenge. They were not lighting the German people: these were their own brothers and sisters. They were fighting a demon. In conclusion, lie exhorted them to prav for the men and the women, and to pray that the. military and aggressive should be killed once and for ever.