ST. JOHN AMBULANCE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 June 1938, Page 6

ST. JOHN AMBULANCE

PARADE AT ST. MATTHEW’S CHURCH. ADDRESS BY REV. E. J. RICH. Local members of the St. John Ambulance and the Nursing and Cadet Divisions paraded at a special service held at St. Matthew’s Church, Masterton, yesterday, which was the Sunday nearest to St. John’s Day. In his address, the Vicar, the Rev. E. J. Rich, said that the Order was born in stirring days, fashioned by men who had caught a fine spirit of Christian chivalry. For over 1600 years, the Order had had an 8-pointed cross, a symbol which was interpreted as standing for Christian virtue as applied to life. The Order stood for two things, Christian faith, and the care of the poor and suffering. In that way, they treated with knowledge and sympathy the spirit as well as the body. A magnificent feast of music was presented at the evening service. The choir under the direction of Mr Wrn. C. Mann, with Mr Miller Hope at the organ, sang “I Will Sing of Thy Power” (Sullivan), with Mr Frank Thornton as soloist; “Hear My Prayer” (Mendelssohn), with Mr G. Verran Greer as soloist; “The Heavens Are Telling,” from Haydn’s “Creation,” with the trio, Mrs Moss and Messrs Alan Green and Norman Ninnes; “O Praise God in His Holiness” (Vine Hall), with Miss Grace Gaudin as soloist; and “Gloria” (Mozart). Misses Shelton, Woodhouse and Robinson sang “Lift Thine Eyes” by Mendelssohn and Mr Les Wales sang “Lord God of Abraham” from Mendelssohn’s “Elijah.” Mr Miller Hope played an organ solo, Prelude in B Minor by Chopin.