BISHOP GRIMES ON THE WAR.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVII, Issue 52, 28 December 1899, Page 20

BISHOP GRIMES ON THE WAR.

(By telegraph, from our Christchurch correspondent.) The following circular from his Lordship Bishop Grimes was read at the Pro-Cathedral, Christchurch, on Sunday, and is to be read in the churches in Westland and other parts of the diocese on next Sunday. Bey. dear Father, Nearly 2000 years ago, the first Christmas morn was ushered into the world by the angelic greeting ' Glory be to God in the highest ; and on earth, peace to men of good will.' (L. 2.14.) Every recurring Christmas these heaven sent words are repeated and go forth filling countless souls with admiration, love, and delight. This year, the same holy greeting will be heard, but not, alas ! unmingled with feelings of the bitterest sorrow and distress. That peace, so lovingly proclaimed from on high, has been disturbed by the horrors of war. It were needless, even though possible, to go into the origin of that fearfnl war. As far as we can judge, with the facts before us, the Home Government were forced to take up arms in defence of the outraged rights of those whom they were bound to proteot. What we do know, with sad certainty, is that thousands of our own kith and kin, are now fighting at the call of their Queen and country to defend those rights. We know, too, that many have been struck down on the field of battle whilst nobly doing their duty.

Many a home will be desolate, many a father or mother, sister or brother, relative or friend will be cast down with the deepest affliction this holy season. Shall not our hearts go out to them in sorrow and sympathy in the midst of their distress ? Have we not recently shown the world a grand object lesson revealing the fact, too often forgotten, that true loyalty and patriotism are bounded by neither geographical, political,. nor even religious divisions? Who could behold without admiration every British colony, even the remotest, rallying round the mother country in the hour of her own and her children's distress? Was it not the spontaneous outcome of a loyal patriotism unparalleled in the annals of any nation, ancient or modern ? Was it not a marvellous sight to see millions of minds waiving every other consideration, social, political, or racial ; gladly merging all into the one noble, sacred feeling of love and sympathy towards those allied to them by the great bond of brotherhood. Have we not, rev. dear Father and beloved children in Christ, made common cause with our fellow-colonists 1 Assuredly we have. Does not there still remain a noble task to fulfil ? Whilst so many near and dear to us are risking their lives at the Call of duty in a foreign land, should we not lift up our hearts in prayer and supplication to the God of Mercy, the Prince of Peace, that fresh disasters may be averted, the atrocities of war soon oease, and peace be restored ?

I know well, rev. dear Father and beloved children in Christ, no words of mine are needed to remind you of. your, duty fa this respect ; nor need I exhort you- and your devoted flock to be generous in helping the Patriotic Fund set on foot in behalf of the widows and orphans or other survivors of those, who, may have fallen in battle. Though 1 have reason to know that some of pur people have already contributed to the .Fund. Btar ted in-, their respective locality, I hereby authorise a special collection, to be made in all the churches of the diocese at a date to be, | appointed by the rectors thereof. The of this .collection ..may. be handed over to the local authorities in each parish or district. You would do well, rev. dear Father, to recommend, to the prayers of your congregation the souls ,of the fatthfnt. slain in battle, and have a solemn Pequiem for the same, poor souls as coon as possible in the principal churches of your district. When, all the priests of the diocese meet in Christchurch for, the annual retreat it will be a fitting occasion tq have the Solemn Jtequiem in our Pro-Cathedral for the same praiseworthy object;. In Ine .meantime, instead of the prayer hitherto prescribed, you will suhstjitjate at every Mass — as often as the Rubrics permit~and at Ben^iQ.tiioh, the prayer Pro Pace, ' Dens a quo tanctaf etc. Believing, wiiih the inspired penman, that 'It is, therefore, a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead that they may be loosed from their sins ' (11. Mac., 12-46), let us make a daily memento in our prayers for the souls of those of our brethren wbo may have been slain, saying from the depth of our heart, ' Eternal rest give to them, O Lord, and let perpetual light -shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace t Amen.' You will be good enough io read this circular in the churches and chapels under your charge the first Sunday or holiday after yon will have received it.

Wishing you and yours every blessing with the choicest gi^ts of this holy Christmastide, I remain, Rev, dear Father, yours faithfully in Christ,

tJ. J. Grimes, S.M., Bishop of Chrißtchurch.