ANZAC DAY

Taranaki Daily News, 26 April 1918, Page 6

ANZAC DAY

LOCAL OBSERVANCES. CROWDED SERVICES. The services held yesterday in commemoration of Anzac l\iy were l attended l)y large congregaLions. Tho Borough Council wisely placed the arrangements for the services in the hands of the .Ministers' Association, the .members of which carried out flic prolamine in an appropriate and thoroughly manner. Owing to there being no suitable hall sufficiently large to accommodate all the people, it was arranged to hold one in Everybody's Theatre and the other in the People's Picture Palace. The order of service was specially printed, and was identical at each hail. The military parade formed up in Liardet street, and marched from thence to the People's Picture Theatre. The Citizens' Band, under Bandmaster M.'Leod, headed Hie procession. Then followed the Veterans, Returned Soldiers' Association, Territorials, Cadets. Boys' High School Cadets, and Boy Scouts. LieutenantColonel F. T. Bellringer was in command of the parade. The Veterans and rtfttirned soldiers attended tlie service a> Everybody's Theatre. The remainder of the parade went to the other picture theatre. AT EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. The 3erviee at the above theatre in i conducted by the Rev. H. L. Kiclmr.. (Methodist). The platform was draped with the Union Jack, surmounted by the Anzac (lag. On the platform were Worship the Mayor of .New Plymouth (Mr. C. H. Burgess), Mr. ]T. .{. Okey, M.P-, the Rev .F. S. llarvic (vkar of St. Mary's), and Mr. W. J. Chancy (deputy, chairman of the Patriotic Committee). The service opened with the singing of "0 Cod, Our Help," followed by the General Confession, collect, and Lord's Prayer, after which the Psalms (Xos. 2(1 and 121) were read antiphonally. The lesson was Isaiah 40. The general thanksgiving, special thanksgiving, and intercessions were led by the Rev. Harvie. THE ADDRESS. The address at this service was delivered by the Rev. Mr. Harvie, who spoke with impressive eloquence and fervor, and made :i strong appeal for Christian unity. He said: — Three years ago to-day our brave soldiers achieved the impossible, and performed a feat of military prowess that will never be forgotten. In years to come, when on April -2;) our posterity gather in meetings such as this, and the children ask wonderingly what it all means, then will come the answer: "We meet year liy year to thank for the courage and self-sacrifice of our ancestors, who, in our Empire's darkest hour, rallied to the old flag- and voyaged half round the world to meet the common foa: who showed the world what British pluck and grit can do; and who save their lives for the honor of their Homeland and for sake of New Zealand and of the Empire that was to be." To-day the events of those stirring days of 101-5 are still fresh in our minds; we honor the memory of our heroic dead in a more intimate way than will be possible in years to come. Many of ns will ever hold to-day sacred to the memory of some loved one who gave his life for us. on the rugged slopes of the inhospitable peninsula of Oallipoli.

The chief note, continued the speaker, that, we must strike on Anzac Day is, therefore, thanksgiving: no sacrifice such as our men have made can ever be made in vain—the seed was there sown in the best of lives that the world can produce,. Let us see to it that the seed bears fruit. It is a day for quiet thankfulness, not for noisy jingoism; for heartfelt gratitude, which shall express itself in a stern determination to go on until our work is finished, until the new world of peace lias come into being and the old world if greed and ambition has been for ever buried—"until the day dawn and the shadows (lee away." And until the day of peace shall come, our Anzac Days must inovita'hly be days of serious thought, and prayer, and resolution, as well as of thanksgiving. Indeed, prayer and inflexible resolve are the best means of expressing our gratitude for the past. Meanwhile, we have much to be thankful for—more than we lean readily appreciate in this distant corner of the world. Our own fair land continues safe and inviolate; our homes are still our own; we have been I spared the horrors of invasion: we arc | better supplied with the necessaries of life than probably any of the Britjsh Dominions; we enioy a national prosperity such as we have never enjoyed before. But, further than this, who could have foreseen the amazing changes that' have taken place in the Motherland? The whole vast, complex community has been welded together into unity to meet the common danger, where before was nought but discord and competition- People who four years ago had no serious object in life except the gratification of their desire for amusement have discovered, that true happiness consists in having something definite to do, and in doing it with all their strength. Class prejudice has given place to a real sense of brotherhoo'd; competition has turned into co-opera-tion : whilst people who, before the war. were quick to complain at the smallest discomfort are to-day suffering real privations without a murmur. Thank Go-' for the change. Once more: Has ever war been waged on an Alliance of nations that have remained so loyal to each other and to the cause which they are upholding? Has ever such a kaleidoscopic battle-front as that in France today been seen before, with British, French, Italian, Belgian, Portuguese, American, Indian, Chinese, Maori troops, and workers, all welded together into a vast unity, and all under the command of a single general appointed by this t heterogeneous mixture of nationalities, with complete unanimity and with entire disregard of self? National selfishness has disappeared in the enthusiasm for the common cause. The nations arc united bv stronger ties than mere alliance. They stand as one, for God and the right. And with a deeper note of thankfulness than wc can express in mere words, we have been privileged to witness, and our own boys from New Zealand have heen privileged to take a conspicuous part in, the redemption e r Jerusalem. Tlie dream of our fore-

fathers has mine true: the Hob' City, of a sacred past, is fried from t.ie Tor 1 -: whose even corner abounds in memories ish yoke. (outinning, Mr. Harvie said: The war cloud is yet dark overhead; many arc the difficulties and dangers yci to I. Fa-ed and. overcome: but amid all the horror- that follow in the wake of war, we find much for which we may bi thankful, that we cannot but feel that the hand of God tlimself has been guiding us and guarding us. and, if we be but true to our better selves will crown our effort* with success- Our thanksgiving for all that has happened, if it is to he worthy of Ihe inline, must be practical. it lies with us whose duty calls u.s to remain at home, to show to our soldiers when they return that their deeds of gallantly have not been in vainLet us see to it in time that our house is in order, and that we are preparing for the bigger, purer life that the nation,, please God, will lead when the sword shall have been sheathed. Let us see to it that New Zealand, who lioasts of being in the forefront of democratic countries, is a land where ilomociacy is not founded on a desire for gain, but on the fixed purpose to do our duty to Cod, to the Empire, and to the world; let us see to it that each member of the community has as bis or her ideal to fulfil to the utmost the purpose for which the British Empire has been called into being. And it Is wl; we think of the future from this higher point of view—the view, that is. of duty and service, it is then that our Christian religion comes to o-,:r aid, as the great motive power mat can make our dreams of what the world might be, and oujj'ut to be, come to pass. We all see visions and dream dreams of a- world of permanent and universal peace: of it eolifratern'. y of nati-ms ■.••!•.,s > aid and object is the welfare of the whole hum:; race; of perfect co-operation between employers and workers: of eipial importunities for all God's children to have and to enjoy the best that life tan of:'. , And we often sigh, and wake up to the "Bran realities of a human life, smiling at this vision of the Golden Age which seems so utterly impossible and fa' away. Yet, why should it be impossible? There is only one thing that makes it impossible, and that is the selfishness of men and women. And, we may add, it is the function of Christianity to convert the ideal into the real, and to bring nno being that very state of human affairs that we imagine to he impossible. This dreamland, the I'lopia of the idealist, Is the very thing which Christianity oxists to produce. And why, after nineteen centuriqs of work and prayer, is Christianity still so far from achieving this magnificent object? I venture to answer the question with no uncertain voice: Because we are not united. Our Saviour Jesus Christ pointed out the goal for which we are to strive, and Ho prayed that His people might tread the only patL that ca n lead to if: ''That they mav all he one, that the world may know that Thou hast sent Me." So He prayed. His plan and pnrpos,- is ior the whole world to knov the whole truth abie God, ami its diuy :■> ( iiat God and to mankind. This is the goal. And Vu. path that leads to the goal? Not V attracting the world to an entertainment, not by eloquence; not by doing anything at all; but by unity." "That they all may he one." It is the oneness of heart and purpose, the unity of spiritual life in all Christian people', the actualized brotherhood of man. that: He wants. Instead of the Christian Church standing in a town like lliis as a <>reat. outstanding, united witness to (he world of the fact of God and of His claims on us, we have a host of small bodies which have little or no corporate association with each other, and whose religious life is wry different from that convincing unity for .which Christ prayed. And because of the disunion of Christendom, it has followed, inevitably that Christ's work has suffered. The heather, -.vho are waiting for the white man's religion, are astonished it the spectacle; they say, not without justification, "Agree among yourselves what the Christian message is before you come and try to upset our old faith." And if the heathen are astonished at a divided Christendom, what of our own people, the unbelievers in our mULI' They are either a.mused or repelled. Can we wonder? Can we hlame them?

Now, it seems to me. the speaker proceeded. that the war, with all its horrors and miseries, will-, nil its challenge to prayer, work, and sacrifice, has brought about a very considerable change in this matter. Before the war many of our most devout people were hardly conscious that the present state of things was wrong. Few lisil eonceived any very definite ideas as to th.possibility of a re-united Christian Church. And now. common sorrows common anxieties, common hardships common activities, have begun to do their work. We have at Inst begun to speak to one another over the fence; wo have come to try to see the best in one another: we have learnt that we ni"<=<' get to understand one another better; we have succeeded i M finding out that, we can each and all he loyal to our own beliefs, and yet stand side by side in united prayer and thnnksfrivin". Here is. surely, something to -V thankful for: the various bodies. laree and small, that make up Christendom are yearning for reunion, in order that God's work on earth may he done, that all mankind may know the truth, and that the Golden Aire may dawn upon the world- For what is it that the world is to-day crying nut for? Is it not for some great bond that can weld into one harmonious whole the allied nations, and prevent even the possibility of a recurrence of the present disaster? We feel the need of something, independent of nationality, outside the sphere of commerce, something comprehensive and compelling, attractive but unobtrusivesomething that can go straight to men's hearts, something that takes more account of what a man is tbnn of what he has, and that can inspire the whole race of men with a noble ideal of duty and make this life a life that to all alike is worth living. And, lastly, if this could he brought about, then there is little doubt that our country would very soon be governed on definitely Christian lines. our Parliamentarians would legislate for us mi openly and avowedly Christian principles, our laws would thsn reflect, not merely what the public will desires, but what the national conscience demands. And then we shall be entitled to call ourselves a Christian country. Ts it impossible? With God nothing is impossible. During the past four years the Allies have achieved what would' have previously been called impossible. 1 Thank God for the past sacrifices which

have stemmed the oncoming tide of militarism and despot i. in, and take courage- for the future, which, if we but trust God and one another, is full of bigger, grander hopes than the world has yci, dreamed of. ''The night is departing, Thv day is approaching." Thank Cod for His. mercies, and take courage for the days, arc to come. Other hymns Ming during Hie .service were, -'God of Our Fathers,'' ''God is Our Refuge." "(I God of Love," and "Abide with Me." The singing was ably led by a. small orchestra. The service concluded villi the singing of the National Anthem. AT THE PEOPLE'S PALACE. The service at the .People's Palace, which was crowded, was identical with the other, and was conducted by the Rev. A. Campbell Seivewright (Baptist). The intercessory, prayers were offered by Adjutant Rowlands, of the Salvation Army. The address was delivered by the 'Rev. (1. Bluudell (Presbyterian). The singins was led bv the Citizens' Band. THE ADDRESS. Mr. Blnndell, after referring to the incident, in Christ's life which provoked' . the question of those about Ilini: "To what purpose is this waste?" proceeded to apply the question to the sacrifice of human life in connection with the war. He said: To-day our minds go back to the time three years ago, when the news was flashed to us that our boys had come through their first great engagement with the enemy. Rumor, which unfortunately on that occasion did not lie, had it that the New Zeahmders had suffered heavy casualties, At that time there was given to us our first vivid realisation of the true nature of this war. A chilling fear fell upon many hearts. Projected entertainments were abandoned. "How can we enjoy ourselves," Ave said, "while our bravest and best are dying for us at Gallipoli?" Possibly we have, in a sense, got used to such terrible matters now. Time allays the pain, if it fails to heal the wounds of our hearts. But we do not forget; we must not forget; and so we keep our Anzac Day. Three .years—and still the death roll grows in length; still the life blood of our strong young men is dyeing the. soil of foreign shores; still the hearts of the waiting loved ones are enduring, with a courage nothing less than sublime, the too frequent word which wrings the heart with anguish. There will, by God's mercy, come Anzac Days when we shall have lighter hearts than is possible at this time, for the war will then bo ended and Britain's purpose gained; our battle-worn troops will have returned, and only tender, grateful memories (from which time will have removed all bitterness) will remain of those who died for liberty and love and home. But to-day we cannot choose, but mourn because of the unreturning brave. They were so good, so true, so strong. We look at their portraits in the weekly roll of honor. What bright, young faces! Oh, the pity, of it all! ' Our lovely sons! And how appalling their numbers. They lie in desert graves in Egypt and in ancient Mesopotamia, beneath the grey walls of Oriental towns; down where the. waves sigh a sad requiem on Mediterranean shores, under tlie palms of the Pacific, and in the sliell-toru fields of France. Many are resting in the mother breast of England; some, in their "vast and wandering grave," are awaiting the great day when the sea shall deliver up its dead, and some sleep in that hallowed ground made sacred by the footprints of the Son of God. Twelve thousand graves of our best and most beloved. We can- . not choose but mourn. It is the thought of these things which gives rise to a question in many wounded hearts. It may be expressed in various ways, but in effect it resolves itself into the words which form our text: "To what purpose is this waste?" Why should this multitude of fair young lives be immolated upon the, altar of tlie hateful Moloch of war? Can there he any purpose in such awful wastage or our sons? We have reason to believe that there is a purpose—a very great and important purpose. These noble boys of ours have not died in vain. Theirs has been a, sacrifice of love. They did not consider themselves, hut gladly parted from all that makes life bright and desirable, and severed ties most dear, risking all for the welfare of others. Tn this they showed flic reality and power of love, which is tlie greatest thing in the world. We know what Ond's Eternal Son said about it: "Greater love hath no man Hum this, that a man lav down his life for his friends," and Tie did not say that, as a mere picturesque phrase empty of significance, nor did He employ it without having the fullest possible experience of its meaning. Christ's own death appeared to be purposeless, yet in reality it contained God's highest purpose for mankind, and we may be sure that in its dcarce no sacrifice of love can be in vain. We are able to sen at least some clinimerinas of this truth even now. The sacrifice our boys have made thrills ns with the knowledge that the spirit of altruism is not, dead; the spirit which was manifested in our fathers, who died that we might enjoy liberty, lives on in these their worthy sons, and therein lies a, mighty hope for our race. The grand, chivalrous spirit, which embodies so much that is truly Rritish, is with us yet, and our glorioui' sons are displaying it. Continuing, Mr. Blnndell said: As a i ncople we were in grave danger of losing that spirit and aim. Wo have become too self-confident, too comfortable, : too easygoing and selfish, and were suf- ; faring the inevitable result of yielding i tn the 'subtle influences of such things, j Then came the war, as a great states- ' man has truly expressed it, "the stern : hand of fate scourged us onward and ' upward until 'we could see the great everlasting things which matter for a I nation; the lofty mountains of honor? duty, and patriotism, the great peak of ■ self-sacrifice pointing like a jaiged finger towards Heaven." It is these i things, and not wealth, ease, and pleasure which form individual and national character, and to develop character is : what we are put into this world for. ?o, if our dear boys who have died, teach us only this and inspire ns as a people tn live for one another, and to seek each other's good, they have not died in vain. We are proud to knowthat our soldier sons have nobly done their duty, hut we, too, have a dutv, ■and unless we carry it out we shall : surely nullify what they have accomplished and give real and terrible ground for asking, "To what purpose is this waste?" It is to be carefully and earnestly noted that their sacrifice can only prove unavailing if we make it so. As our boys have cast away every consideration of self, in order to ensure and consolidate our so must, we. They have set us this great and noble example, and we must follow it. It is a vain thing, a fatuous thing, if !

we stop at praising- their deeds of valor and self-sacrifice, failing- at the same time to learn from them our own high duty. They have given all in order that we may remain free, but their sacrifice cannot save us if we are unworthy of the heavy price they have paid, and. this we certainly shall lie if we cling to evils which render their groat, efforts vain. For what, after all, is the true basis of a nation's greatness and exaltation? Not its military or naval power, nor its wealth, nor the noble strength and spirit of its sons—many vast empires in the past had all these, and yet have gone into oblivion like last, year's leaves. "No. the only thing that can exalt n nation and secure its continuance, its true, advancement and the freedom of its people, is righteousness. Than this no greater certainty exists. If. therefore, the glori. ous deeds and the sacrifice of our noble hoys are to prove effectual we must second their endeavors and at once unite to destroy all that hinders the advance of national righteousness. Our disregard of Clod's claims upon our service and love must go; our pride, our covetousness, our greed of gain, our vice, drunkenness—all such things must go. We cannot, we dare not cling to them longer, for these are- the things which corrupt and destroy, as the history of nations so vividly proves. We must destroy these evils too in view of the lads who have died, and the vaster number that, has given health and limbs and sight that we might abide, a people exalted and free. Here, then, we perceive a real purpose in the apparent waste of these precious lives and in the sufferings our boys endure. The purpose is that what they have dared and done may kindle within ihe breasts of the people of New Zealand a passion for righteousness, that God thereby may oe glorified and that the great ends for which our sons are fighting and dying may be secured. Therefore let every man and woman in this fair Dominion know of a truth that our great aud grave danger is not the Kaiser's Hunish hordes nor the hostile might of any power or combination of powers, but it, is lest we fail to second our soldiers' efforts and sacrifices by putting away at once and forever the things which corrupt our national character and hinder the cause of righteousness. Let us at once escape this clanger and neglect no longer that great and divine cause, and not only shall the devotion of our sons achieve its end, but the mighty arm of the eternal God will bo stretched forth on our behalf, for He has sworn to bless the righteous and with favor to compass thorn as with a shield,