THE GREAT BATTLE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 74, 27 March 1918, Page 2

THE GREAT BATTLE.

A HISTORIC HOLT 'WEEK. BISHOP'S PLEA FOR SOBERNESS • ANT) A REAL GOOD FRIDAY. ,'A.very stirring "message" bearing on the present world crisis was delivered iby Bishop Averill at the close of his Xeriten address at the Chamber of Co"m-1 anerce to-day. ' "This Holy Week," said' the Bishop, ''will for all time, as long as Ijstory remains history, be associated ] -with the most titanic battle-etruggle the world has eveT known, and possibly erer will know. The immensity of this -week's terrific conflict beggars "descrip-; . tion, because it baffles tie A imagination ' and '"almost paralyses" 1 "'Consecutive thought. The issue m-toB (balance, an issue fraught with-the'mpst - stupendous consequences to the whole ■world; so much so that .we dare to say that the results of this week's terrific encounter will change the very, face of the earth for better or for worse. Liberty, progress, democracy, justice, re Jigion, are all anxiously awaiting the verdict, and awaiting it with a deep it suppressed anxiety. We have come to the great turning-point in the worlds history.}, we have come tor th.es paring of c the Ways; we have j greatest spiritual encounter between the exeat unseen forces of good and evil. '"What is our attitude in this great day of when thousands upon, 'thousands of lives are being flung ruthlessly into'the jaws of death, and sorrow is marching triumphantly through the: afflicted lands? Are we contented merely with confidence in our magnin-l cent ■ and heroic defenders? Are we! thinking only of our safety and what the issue of this .week's conflict will mean to ourselvesT Are we sustaining; our courage with foolish and empty, toasting? Are we preparing for holidays ■ ■while thousands are suffering and dying | to make life and property secure for us? : 3s Good Friday to-be nothing more than ' a' worldly holiday, even in the midst, of this tremendous world crisis.? ;;.:.:.... ~ "How'much we need to -fiU : up «re lack in the affections of our brave eoldiers and their equally brave dependents!- How much we Jfew Zealanders need to learn the duty of real sympathy, live relationship, and real identification ■with" those men—tho9e heroes who are fighting our battles, suffering and dying for usj I care not what, interested people may say about keeping up our money-making pleasures at such a time «s this. I say unhesitatingly that if we realise our true relationship to those men who are suffering and dying we could not even wish to put their sacrifice from their minds, but would consider it our greatest honour and privilege to deny ourselves in order to stand by their side. I plead for a morethoughtful observance of Good Friday as a real day of prayer and holy . etillneas, and. for a deeper spirit of sacrifice in the community—the only spirit •Which is worthy of our suffering and dead defenders, who, like the Divine Master, in saving others could not save themselves."