ST. ALBAN'S CHURCH.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 203, 26 August 1918, Page 8

ST. ALBAN'S CHURCH.

DEDICATION OF FONT. There was a crowded congregation at the service at St. Alban't. Church. Dominion Road, last evening, when a font cover given by Mr. J. W. Bailey ia memory of his two soldier sonn. l.ieut. Allan R. Bailey and Sergeant Henry Iliailey, who fell in the field of battle, wns unveiled and dedicated by his lordship the Bishop of Auckland. A large number of relatives and friends of Vie Bailey family were present, including Mr. Bailey and another son, l.ieut. Arthur Bailey.

The service was commenced with the petition to the Bishop from the vicar I the Rev. H. B. Wiugfieldi and the churchwardens. His Lordship, alter removing the colours which draped the font, read a. portion of the lesson from the burial service, and used the special prayer of dedication. Dr. Averill took as his text the Epistle to the Hebrews, xii. 1. "How conld we endure to-day," he asked, "without the Crosri nnd all it means in US'" The speaker referred to the hard life of .Tcr.u. ciirist, and how He sufTercd in order to save the world from degradation. He died fighting for the freedom of mankind. At times it looked as though the forces of evil would prevail, ljut it was not so. We had to look on the other side of the Cross. Those who died for Christ were (but destined to carry on His good work. Fo to-day our lioys went forth in His Name, for the honour of Cod and for the well-being of the world and humanity. After the earthly part of Cur Lord, His hardship and Buffering, could we expect to emulate Him and follow in His footstep-;, without also making some sacrifice.

THE CHRISTIAN SPIRIT. Many of our boys 'went away unconscious of the future, but in tbe spirit of (kid. They were compelled by their faith to do what was right to defend Christianity. The honour of God was at stake," and they felt the call. The liveof those grave men wtio fell were not wasted. They were being prepared for a higher service. Death did not end it all, and it was some consolation to know that they were of the bodyguard of their Master. ' It wns here that faith helped ue, Those who fought for tlie cause of (iod «-oiild not but triumph: they were bound to succeed. It was the duty of those left behind to look beyond their cross of hardship to the joy of the here after, and (!od would strengthen them in their faith and give courage and consolation to those who were afflicted and distressed. Twelve candidates, including a cousin of the deceased soldiers mentioned. Were accorded the rite of contiriuatiou. Tbe number included four girls. Special hymns were snug during the