THE LATE MR. H. J. OKEY.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 September 1918, Page 6

THE LATE MR. H. J. OKEY.

MEMORIAL SERVICE AT WHITELI3Y CHURCH. A memorial service for the late Mr. H- J. H. Okey, M.P., was held at Whitelev Church yesterday morning, and, considering the state of the weather, there was a good congregation, including some representatives of other churches. The service commenced with the singing of the National Anthem. of tlie service was the special music given by the Citizens' Band, which also led tjic hymns. Tlie band numbers included Handel's "Largo," which was played before the service commenced, Gounod's "There is a Green Ilill," arranged as euphonium solo and played by Bandsman Haines; and "The Garland of Flowers," the latter b»ing played at the conclusion of the service, the whole congregation standing. The hymns included "Nearer. My God, to Thee," "Lead, Kindly Light," ''Peace, Perfect Peace," and "For All the Saints," and the choir sang Sir Frederickcßridge's arrangement of "Crossing the. Bar." The Rev. W. A., Sinclair preached from the text: "What doth tlie Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with they God."—Micha vi., 8. ' At tlie conclusion of the address ho made suitable reference to the life of the late Mr. Okey, m the course of which he said he was the son of the late Mr. Edward Okey. whose memory was still fragrant in the church and whose life and work were commemorated by the tablet on the walls of tho church. After referring to the interest Mr. H. .T. Okey took in local politics and later in the larger field of Dominion politics, the preacher said: "The story of his life is soon ,told, but behind it there lies a noble record of unselfish service freelv rendered to the people of this town and district. His menwry will long be charished." Mr. Sinclair said he had chosen his text because the words seemed aptlv to describe the character of the men who was most in their thoughts that dav and whose good work was being reco?nised in that service. ITe did justly, he loved mercy, and he walked humbly with his God. For sixty years he. had lived amongst the people of this town, end the universal testimony concerning him was that he was a good and just and honorable man. He was said to have been the most popular member of Parliament, and the secret of his popu- ' laritv was to be found in his unselfishness, his transparency of motive, and his eagerness to render service. He had a high sense of duty, and was most conscientious in the discharge of every duty, both private and public. Tn this he had set a fine example which younger men might well emulate. He never d:s' criminated between political supnorter or otherwise. Few realised the heavy demand upon his time and strength in s that connection. The soldiers' wive* j and mothers would miss him. because he was their stalwart friend and helper As a politician he was honest and conscientious, and those qualities were more needed in politicians than eve? brilliant gifts and oratorical talent. The call of the hour was for public rnerj— Whom the lust of office does not kill, Men whom the spoils of office cannot 'buy, Men who possess opinions and a will. Men who have honor—men who wil. not lie. ( For while the rabble, with their thumbworn creeds, Their large professions and their little deeds, Wrangle in selfish strife, lo! Freedom weeps. Wrong rules the land, and waiting Justice sleeps, He was a life-lqng abstainer, and rendered yeoman service in helpijjg to bring about fi o'clock closing of hotels. The i seeret of his strength of character was to be found in those Christian influences which surrounded him from infancy. He was highly privileged in having godlv parents. Early in life, under the minis--1 try of the late Rev. Frank W. Tsitt, he ' made the great decision which comi mitted him to the Christian life, and he lived and died ■» loyal member of the Methodist Church. He was apparently a strong man physically, but political life makes exacting demands upon the strongest, and for the past two years his health had been indifferent 'Burins' the last few months his sufferink had been intense, but it was borne patiently and with true Christian character. His passing had left a blank in his home and in the life of the community generally