YESTERDAY'S SERVICES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXIX, Issue 9651, 7 July 1919, Page 5

YESTERDAY'S SERVICES.

Social thanksgiving services in connection with the Peace celebrations were hold at all the Ashburton churches yesterday, both morning and evening, at which tnei'e were large congregations. 'At St. Stephen's Anglican Church, which was tastefully decorated with the Allies' flags, the morning service attracted a large attendance including the Mayor $5r It. Galbraith) and members of the Borough Council, also Mr W. ftobinson, • chairman of the Hampstead Town Board, and several members of the latter body. The special form of thanksgiving service was conducted by the Rev. H. W. Wright. The preacher, before delivering his address, read the King's Proclamation. He then briefly outlined some of the events of the war leading up to the 'time of the signing of the Treaty; the nation, he said, now standing in the great position as victors after a great struggle and iustead^f being under the heel of a relentless foe, were in the happy position of dictating terms of peace. The Germana, after building up a great army and training for years , for world , domination, had cast aside the text ''Blessed are the peace, makers" and supplemented it with] "Blessed are the warmakers." ' They had been a most unscrupulous foe, not hesitating to murder women and children in their mad career for world domination. To-day, throughout tho Empire, from the King to his most humble subject, they had assembled to give thanks to God for having brought them through the greatest crisis the world had ever known. During the great struggle God had been on the side of the Empire,and inspired the nation to unity and men to offer their services for right, truth and justice. It was only now when they looked back upon the dark days of the great struggle that .they could fully realise what God had done for them, and it was only fitting that they should offer to Him their gratitude. The preacher then reminded the congregation of their duties and the duties of the uation in the groat dayß that are ahead in order that they should prove themselves worthy of the trust placed in their hands. He hoped there would, pot be too much flag-waving and Bending up money in smoke. Upon the nation had been laid a tremendous responsibility. Many wrongs had -to be righted in order that this wight be a better world. It was now for the, nation to make good, arid if they failed' in that trust, they could be certain that the power would be taken from them and placed in the hands of a more worthy nation. The preacher concluded by paying tribute to those who had fallen in battle.

The service concluded by the singing of the "Te Deum" and, "God Say© the King/ . V■■ ; The evening service was also largely attended. Mr Wright* again preac&ed. Appropriate hymna and an anthem were sung.