The Daily News. THURSDAY, JANUARY 28 1915. SELF-SACRIFICE IMPERATIVE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 197, 28 January 1915, Page 4

The Daily News. THURSDAY, JANUARY 28 1915. SELF-SACRIFICE IMPERATIVE.

In tlie eloquent and impressive discourse delivered by Bishop Averill at Auckland on Sunday last there is much material therein for serious consideration, for the "whole of the address appeals to the heart and to the intellect, as well as to all that is best in human ideals of duty in the highest sense. The theme on which the Bishop dwelt is by no means a new one, and though he expressed surprise that the newspapers of the Dominion did not rise higher, and sound a loftier note of warning at this critical time' in the Empire's history, and give a clearer call to self-sacrifice, it is evident that hj- has not taken much pains to become acquainted with the almost universal action of the Press in advocating, as I he has done, to the best of their power, and at every available opportunity, tlie imperative duty of self-sacrifice in this time of trouble and stress That bus been the policy from the start of the war of the leading newspapers in tlie Dominion, which have always welcomed any co-operation from the clergy in that direction.' After all, there is so credit due to the Press for striking and maintaining the attitude which it is admitted on all sides is best calculated to arouse self-sacrifice and sympathy on the part of the people—not in a general but in an applied sense. The Press appeals to such a vastly larger community than does the pulpit that a far greater responsibility rests on the shoulders of journalists than on the clergy. This assertion is one tnat is made with deep feelings of regret that such a state of affairs should exist, but it docs, hence the need for the press to cultivate the ground which is particularly the property of the churches. It is not the fault of the clergy so much as the altered conditions of life that prevail and the failure of the churches to met these conditions. Tiiey still, however, are actuated by noble und zealous purposes, and as far as their lights will permit are constant in their endeavors to lead the people to do their duiy to God •'i man. Bishop Averill is a striking example of this, and the publication of the chief points

in liis inspiring sermon of Sunday last should help materially to show the men 1 and women of New Zealand how best to show their sympathy with those en- : gaged in the fight for liberty and right, and how to play their part in the S'.'iieme of seu-sacrilice and devotion to ; duty never more urgently than ! during the continuance of the war. The Bishop naturally emphasised the importance of those sacred observances that lit in so well with the justice of the cause of the Ames, and expressed! surprise that men did not at this time value more the services at the churches, and very pertinently asked: 'lire we not playing our part in keeping v«cSc the dawn of better and truer days, dfty» of stable international relations, because we are lacking in vision?" The answer to that question can only be evolved by individual introspection. The Bishop made some very pointed remarks relative to the totalisator. Possibly from his point of view there is something out of harmony with the horrors of war when large numbers of people can Wring themselves to attend race meetings and sports gatherings, anil though the totalisator investments may seem to him extravagantly large there is another side even to that. The money passing through the totalisator is at least circulated instead of hoarded, and may even denote a' certain amount of self-sacrifice. Thousands of pounds have been contributed by this and similar means to the war relief and (kindred funds that might otherwise have remained profitless to anyone. Most of the means adopted throughout the Dominion for raising contributions to relieve the victims of the war have more or less been aided by sports, or other attractions. The people who take life and its many troubles dourly are not generally those who make sacrifices, nor are they to be found in the forefront of the battalions fighting for the weak ijind oppressed. It is those who are full of "life," and can take their pleasures and recreations with gladness of heart and in an open-handed way that mostly win out. We have only to bear in mind the unfailing cheerfulness and spirit 01 the British troops to see that the telling factor in success is a light heart and an undaunted courage. It is not as the Bishop so pertinently observes: "The great man who sees the faults in his neighbors, but the man who is ready to admit his cwn weakness." We quite agree that "the universal character of self-sacri-fice of the people behind the uniformed battalions that is the chief line of deifence," and it is that self-sacrifice ' wmcit is neing so splendidly exhibited in ' New Zealand to-day. There is room * for more—much more—and we are glad to see that day by day it is growing and expanding. That it will continue cannot be doubted, for'the people are keenly alive to the issues at stake and i are prepared to give ungrudgingly both s in personal service and in worldly goods. . It is their duty, and they are making tnat duty a pleasure.