IN MEMORIAM.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, 18 May 1925, Page 9

IN MEMORIAM.

The Late Prime Minister.

SERVICES IN TIMARU CHURCHES

Special services In memory o£ the late Right Hon. W. F. Massey wore held In several of the churches in Timaru last evening. At St. Mary’s the saicred edifice was crowded, many being; unable to obtain admission, and at Chalmers Church end Bank Street. Methodist Church also there Were Very large congregations The Mayor and members of the Borough (jouncli iVere among tho worships9*o. ST. MARY’S. -Representing the Defence Department In the congregation were Captain H. D. McHiigh, M.C., N.Z., S.C., Captain A. A. E. Pounefather, Lieutenant Elements and SergeantMajor'Patchett. Representing other organisations v eye the Timaru G 1 r 1 Guide Corps. ■ under the command of BcoutmiStress Hungeriord: the io Rang! St. Mary’s, and St. Johns Boy Scout troops under District Commission. Saltnohd, and the boarders of the Boys’ hud Girls’ High Schools. •The, Berv'oe began hy the choir singing, “The Resurrection Morning”as the /processional hymn. There were four officiating ministers —the Rev. ,K: P, Andrews-BaXtor (acting Vicar, of St . Mary’s), Rev. L. A. Knight (St. Saviour’s OrphanageU Rev. G. V. Gerard, and Rev. E. OBmers. 1 Ttie last named read, the first, lesson., while, the second, lesson was read, by Mr F. J. Rolleston, M.P., for- Timaru. , . Mr .Baxfcof spoke from the text in Ist Coxjlnthians: “Then cometh. the end." . They idl’d, he said, watched the funeral procession of the late ,H6h. > WAFk Massey, and had seen his body, laid reverently in 'he grave. It Was one of the l>arclest things in the world to/get’"people to realise teat this life'must end, and thousands of phople lived as if their lives were going to go on for ever; but one day there would, be a funeral procession different from (all the rest —it would be their 6\yn. It was not a good thing to be always thinking of death; hut they must not forget that It would epm.e to them all, and should shape-.their lives accordingly. The-periods o|.which their lives were compbsod each liad its end. There was an exld/to their school days, and this prompted him to remind the young people of the absolute necessity. for making the very best use of their, young manhood and young VfbTudnhood... The School days of Mir Massey- had .been ; short, but they cOtilcD be sure that he had made 1 the bes Fuse of them. And. this no d'oubf laid;, the foundation of the great life' tVhich.",; he. .subsequently ltaed. The text reminded them also that there ■would be an end to, their companionships—that the time must come when they .would, look upon the faces of their friends, fpr the last time; when the companionship of husband and, wife would cease on earth: when father and mother, brother and sister must part. In thinking of these things their hearts went ou* in deep sympathy to the widow of the late Prime Minister, y/ho now in her sorrow mourned the loss of the great man who had heetx her devotee! husband. The . late Prime Minister had no doubt realised his responsibility, and it had.not made him morbid or unhappy. It inspired him to make the best of his life, and to work while it was day, for he knew lhat-the night qometh when no.man could work. It was all very well for. those in good health to desire to put off (the end, but what about the suf ; ferers, those in, pain, and the lnsa,ne?, W-hat* a comfort for them .to ' know, that “the end cometh,” that a time was coming when there would be no more pain; no more sorrow, and no more tears. Then too, there would he ■ ah end to injustice and wrong. The wicked flourished, and we knew not why. Christ caused the rich and the poor to kneel at one altar; in His holy temple there was no differentiation between persons. Christ taugjV the- brotherhood of man; the right feeling between-all classes; and God, being just and good, would bring justice and right out of injustice and wrbhg. It they had had their way the, people of New. Zealand would have said of Mr Massey: “We cannot spare 1 him, his powers are so great ahd his influence so wonderful, his life such,a force.” But the end came and his life should stimulate them to use, every moment faithfully. And each should remember that he, or j»h<V had only a short time to live. The aim of all should be to make the world better for their having liv ed.ln it. That was Mr Massey’s aim, and he had succeeded. He had given himself to the service of his God, his King,-and his country. Just how much he had done they would never know, but this they did know; That the world was all the better for his life, and example; and they , should pfoflt -and consecrate themselves to the service of God and -heir fellow man. Death was not (he end, but merely on episode in. life. All things were working up to a more glorious end When God would be al) in all; find if they spent their lives aljight they need have no fear of it. Ahd they believed* that the late Prime Minister had so lived and Worked that when he knew the end was-approachirig lie could have said, had he wished: “If is finished; I have done the work Thou gavest me to do.” Truly a fine ending to a life well, spent. Death.in his case was a glorious finish to 1 his earthly carder. Eveiy day should be a full dsy> and they knew that Mr Massey had worked as one realising this. Every day should be lived' for God and King and country, and there should be an end to, living for self and the pleasures 6f this Work. They should live that the thought, of death would not depress them, and they could look forward to the time when God would reveal His purposes in full to them. Death was not the end; they could not die if they would. Mr Massey’s life-should be an inspiration to. them all. ; ■ They could not ali be Prime Ministers, or fill high positions., but they could do the work which God had given them to do; and they should do it to the best of their abiltiy. The prime factor in Mr Massey’s success was his firm faith in God; and he was a man courteous, zealoul, just and full of integrity. He Was a God-made man, one of whom it could be truly said •in the words of St. Paul: “I have fought a goqd fight; I have finished my course; henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness.” No doubt Mr Massey had looked to tho eroea of Christ and had followed His example. ■•‘Tlld preacher also referred to Mr Massey’s robust patriotism, and tin.' wonderful service which he had rendered this Dominion and the Empire, ahd said that he had loved his country and served it well. In conclusion, the ■ preacher said: “And now we Commend his soul to Gad We slwtll not. forget him, and may we btlniniy try to emulate hi 3 fine example, and tread in at least some of the footsteps of the late Right Hon. Wijlium Ferguson Massey. May his soul rest in peace.’’

OHALMBfta CHURCH. Rev, P, 0. Gladstone Hughes conducted the service at Chalmers Church, delivering hn inspiring address ,on,, Ml’ Massey’s career. The service opened with the sing' ing of the National Anthoni, ■ after which a prayer was offered up by the pastor. The hymns "0 - God, Our Help In Agea Past,” and the into Mr Massey'S favourite "Nearer, My God to Thee” were sung, and Requiem” (Homer) WaS sung by Mr S. Anderson, a member Of the choir. The congregation also sang "Forever Wltli the Lord.” . t, k , In opening his address the Rev. P. 0. Hughes quoted Mr Masseys words at a Masohic instu'lation- at Auckland: "Wh&tsoverer thy,..hand findeth to do, do it with thy might. “Nature,” said .Emerson. “never sends a grout man into tho planot without confiding the secret of another soul.” -It was pot-in a hurry, said Mr. Hughes, that th,e se.cret of Mr Massey’s greatness was confided to his countrymen. Gradually it dawned upon them, until some, years previous to his- passing i. way, lie -enjoyed a prestige almost unparalleled in’the history of any. other self-go-verning community. If anyone was to ask what was the outstanding feature of the political life of New Zealand during the past few years., the obvious answer , would be that if was the dominating influence of Mr Massey. The country seemed to believe that it had found its ablest man, and was determined to'keep him in the position of supreme authority. As T sisted,though he was by loyal colleagues—med of parts who would play an important part in the future history of' NeW Zealand- —no one deemed that the Government had given its decision on apy , important question until Mr MasSey had spoken. The history of his Government Was Pot a record of the triumph of a set of political principles, but the record' of a triumphant personality. Rugged in strength, fervent, in loyalty, i f doubtable in action, .his colleagues revered him; his political opponents were united in their respect for him; the ordinary citizen had unbounded confidence in his integrity and wisdom. Even the prisoners in the gaols set aside their rights in order to pay a last tribute to his memory. What a loyal heart was his to kindle the flame of loyalty in the hearts of men, who, by their conduct had repudiated the laws of their country. Whatever their political creed' they could unite and thank God that under their democratic constitution it was possible to call such a man as Mr Massey from the obscurity of moral life into the turmoil and fierce glare of the political arena-—from the peace of the farm into the councils of the nation and of the Empire. When he became convinced of his calling it was in no half-hearted way that he pursued it. Whether as a relentless loader of the. Opposition, or as head of the Government, he was no believer iu half measures in or out of office it was ever the same. “Whole-hearted, truehearted, faithful and loyal” are tho only words that adequately describe his character. Mr Massey/jr ad a Pres byterian upbringing, aiid remained, in that faith to the end. They could say wliat they liked about the repressive nature of the typical Presbyterian morality Of the past. Tney might regret- its inquisitorial interference with the private affairs of men, but a certain probity, a sturdy independence, a reluctance ; td. act 'except from real conviction, had characterised Presbyterian morals throughout, and had made of the best type, .of Presbyterian a sound and, trustworthy business man, an excellent colonist, a soldier to, be feal> ed : —a” man to be reckoned with in any walk of life. • It had been Almost amusing to read some of the references to Mr Massey s ability to quote Scripture. That power had been re-, ferred to us a kind of fortuitous embellishment; Tit reality it Vaa the' very foundation of his character—' the .; very foundaion of -his ’ marvellous strength. How wonderful to think,. 400 .years after . Tyndal had spoken Those memorable words to his opponent/' ’’lf God spare mj* life, ere many years I.wilt cause a boy that driveth the plough . shall know more of the Scriptures than thou doest,” that one of those very plough boys should: become Prime’ Minister of ihis gem of the southern seas. One could not but think of Mr Lloyd George in the darkest hours of the Great War, pacing up and down his room reciting the Words of the grand old hymns df his childhood.. One imagined Mr Massey, as the flower.of his country’s manhood fell in that dread contest, deriving new strength and hope from the noble words of the volume lie knew so Well. Surely they were not pleading a mere sectarian cause when they asked that as a lasting tribute to his memory every boy and girl in New Zealand should breathe the atmosphere of that great record of spiritual faith and adventure which was for the greatest of her citizens the foundation of chajacter. The voice that uttered words of wisdom in the councils of the nhtion and of the Empire was still,- but the meniory of that noble life lived and the challenge of its loyalty resounded, through tho Empire. As they thought of his life their sorrow was turned into joy; death was swallowed up in victory, and the note of grief wgs caught up and lost in the song of triumph. The Empire Was not bankrupt of men. New Zealand was not bankrupt ol men. They should rejoice,” but not boast, and march forward wiih the prayer in their hearts:

“Lord God of Hosts, be with U 3 yet,

Lost tve forget; lest we forget.”

The organist* Mr" -Axel Newton, played tile Dead March in • Saul,” at the conclusion of which a last prayer was offered up by the Rev. P. G. Hughes. The service concluded with the hymn “Ten Thousand Timed Ten Thousand.” and the pronouncing of the Benediction.

BANK STREET METHODIST. A most impressive - service >. was conducted by the Rev. A. C.. Lawry. A strong choir, conducted by Mr J. W. Holdgate, reAlered the anthem “Crossmg Jhe Bar,” and led in the singing appropriate, hymns, Nils W. I Tait'saim “1 Know That-My Redeemer Liveth” with exquisite feeling. Mr J Fraser accompanied on the urge and gave an impressive rendering of The Dead March in Saul’ after the benediction, liev'. A. G. L;awry read fragments from the Book of Kings,, showing a parallel between-the life of Elisha, who Was called from the plough,: and became in liar time the arlvisor of .his king, and the career of Mr Massey “from the plough to Prime Minister.” Taking as his text Proverbs XXIT, 29: “He shall stund before kirns,” Mr Lawry said that one sunny Sabbath afternoon the good ship City of Auckland wjis beating up the - beautiful harbour'before the town from which she took h>r name. “As a boy—a very small one—l watched through my father’s telescope the gleamiug"eanvas and the shining hull with in tease interest : for oil that vessel were the Revs. F. . Jsitt, IV, J. \\ illi.'ims, and three other Methodist ministers. Little did l know that with them was a hoy who would one day bo the Prime Minister of New Zealand. Yet, so it was. William Massey, a lad of fourteen, was one of the company, who, after 84 days of sea life, were then feasting their eyes on the glory of one of the fairest havens in the world. The old ship ended her voyage more. The oM shiri ago on the Otaki Beach. Travellers on the Main Trunk Railway can still see

one of her masts standing clear against the sky. When I see that bleached spar high above the golden sand, I think. God sent that when our travelling days are done we may have served our country as well as that good ship sbrved now Zealand. Rich was the freight she bore to our land—at least six good men who gave their splendid prime for the good of their fellow men and the honour of this land. Mr Williams held a Bible Class on. the City of Auckland during that voyage, and young Massey was a regular attendant. Often the boy worshiped with that little class ,on shipboard. Fifty-five years later there is being held in his memory a solemn service in Westminister Abbey. Once again has the Divine promise been fulfilled, Them that honour me, I will honour; Young Massey travelled to New Zealand in a little old-Tasliioned sailing ship of some 600 or 700 tons, his name unknown, and his way in the world to make. Forty-nine ’years later lie returned from Europe, after signing his name to the Treaty of Versailles beside some of the greatest , names of our time. The ink was not dry before ho •ivas speeding to Havre in a swift car. Then in a destl-oyer lie was chasing the Mauretania. After nineteen hours the mighty steamer was overhauled, and our Premier was in midoce.an transferred to the liner, and continued liis journey in the speediest steamer afloat. —What a.contrast in sea travel - with half k century between ! To-night .’we,.do honour to the memory of. William ‘Ferguson Massey, _ not because he w,as a successful politician or because he won his way to the ranks of the famous, but because of those personal qualities and those habits' of life which secured for him from those who knew *■' him genuinerespect and warm affection. He w,ns diligent. Such an appetite for .work few men have 6hown._ . He toiled on the farm. ' His first call to political life reached him on tho point of a pitch-fork- as he stood on a stock. . He toiled at studies, and ,was widely,read and well informed as a cdnsequence of his diligence. He toiled unremittingly in the political world, and won at last its highest .honours. As Priemer, and as representative of this Dominion, in England, and in Europe lie lived a life that ivas strenuous to the last degree. He overtaxed even his amazing strength. He was brave. To sit-in the House ye,ar after year as one of a small party, to remain in the minority for eighteen. years with only 14 or 17, 27 or 19 colleagues, as fortune varied, called for moral courage of a somewhat rare order. When, p.fter 18 years of patient waiting and hard work. Mr Massey came at last to the Premiership, lie found 1 plenty to test his courage. All tHe time that he had held the helm of State ho had to navigate troubled waters. I have but to mention the strike of 1913, the Great War. and the slump to prove this. There were times in 1913 when liis life was in danger, and he carried a lo.aded revolver daily. During the war there were crises when the darkness of the hour did but serve to show more clearly the courage and optimism of our leader, who never lost hope of our cause. And a less courageous man could not have successfully handled the unparallelled situation as Mi - Massey had during the distressful years of 1921-1923, New Zealand’s greatest financial crisis. He was a man of honour. When Parliament had voted to itself a sum of money to provide a bonus of £4O for each member he disagreed with the vote, and he would not take money to which he was legally entitled. Upon one occasion the Government w,as recommended to purchase for a probation home a suitable piece of land. But when he found that the land belonged to a relative he firmly refused to sanction the deal. And, so ‘he stood before kings,’ and among tho foremost statesmen of the age. At last with great courage he trod the dreadful lane of exquisite and prolonged suffering; and so lie stood before the king of terrors, Death. But The King of Love liis shepherd was,’ and the grave was robbed of its victory. Our late Prime Minister's character was founded on the Rock of Holy Scripture, and we are well persuaded that when the spirit returned to God who gave it. and ho stood before the King of Kings at last, the ‘well done’ that greets the faithful - was spoken to him.”

SERVICE AT FATRLTE. Residents came from all parts of the district to attend the service held in the Public Hall at F.airlio on Thursday afternoon. : Jn the unavoidable absence of the chairman (Mr C. Talbot), Mr E. Macdonald presided, and with him were the Revs. Wilcox pnd dc Lambert. Rev. C. G. Wilcox opened the service with the reading of an extract from tho scripture. Rev. dc Lambert gave a most-” nrmropriate address on the life of Mr Mnssev, dwelling on the salient features of hi.s wonderful career. Pipe-Maior Cowan, of the Pipe Band, played “Flowers of the Forest,” after which the “Last Post” was sounded.