GREENDALE METHODIST CHURCH.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 17016, 13 December 1920, Page 5

GREENDALE METHODIST CHURCH.

BOLL or HONOUR UNVEILED. Before a full congregation,, in the Greendale Methodist Church, the Roll of Honour of the men who -were associated with the church and school, was unveiled by Roy. W. Walker, of Now Brighton, the president of the Christchurch B.S.A. The 801 l was the gift of Mr E. Bidgen, of Greendale, and contained the following' 15 ijameis, thro© of whom made the supreme sacrifice: —Gunner Jj. J. Early, Trooper W. B- Early, "Trooper F. Goodrick, Corporal. J. J. W. Lamb, 2ndX4eutenant F. Juggins, Corporal J. Juggins Lance-Corporal G. C. Warren, "Private W. Fleming, Rifleman L. W. Kneale, Rifleman C. C. Early, "Trooper F. W. Budd, Trooper J. D. Warren, Private D. O. Jones, Private F. H. Needham, Private W. J. Dean. ("Made the supreme sacrifice.) . Mr Wailccr also unveiled a memorial tablet, which the returned men had erected to their late comrade, Trooper Frank "W. Budd, who died for his country on October 22nd, 1918. La a striking address, the Rev. VT. Walker expressed his pleasure at being invited to assist in paying homage to those who had gladly gone forjh to fight, to suffer, and in many caaee to die, lhat Iho nation might live on, and bo many of us be allowed to dwell in peace and safety. As a chaplain, lie had come into personal contact with some of the boys, and as president of the local B.S.A. he was able to convey the congratulations and sympathy of all the returned soldiers of the Canterbury district. Three of the men whoso names were honoured had made the supreme sacrifice. Some had returned injured in body, every returned man suffered from the remembrance of what he had seen and endured, but he trusted that not one of the men honoured had coma back injured in soul. A spiritual casualty was more <han serious. 'Some civilian said the speaker, were most anxious to forget_ the •war. But to do so would be a calamitous thing. The war had vitally affected _ social lifo and shaken the foundations of civilisation. Many longed for the- quiet of prewar days, and conditions, but in the present unrest waa both our peril and our hope. Wo never needed sagacious leadership more than to-day. Commenting on the casualties, it waa pointed out that in New Zealand 16 COO men "went West," out of casualty list of 40,000. Several repsons were given why w<> should be filled with (1)" The. nation fainted not. Her endurcaoe was unwavering. The devotion and loyalty of her soldiers was splendid. (2) The o! those who xemairj&d at hom&

True, there were soma who had 110 higher sense of duty than making money; but judging tho peoplo as a whole, they were ipepired with a wonderful fortitude, and a hope that nervor died down. (3) Tho victory was bo decisive. Those who wei® in the fighting line, knowing the conditions of modern warfare, left that all we could hop® for wns to get a satisfactory peace. General Bixdwood was quoted a® saying we should ofFor sincere thanks to God, for in cuch a decisive victory ho was dull indeed who failed tq trace the Divine Hand. (4) .Such a victory vindicated tho moral government of tho world. At bottom, the causo of the war was the spiritual decadence of Germany, and the war had proved that the imtioh or individual who fought against right fought against God, a losing battle. The dica of God was always loaded «®ainst the wrong-doer. Turning to the future, we were reminded that all we valued in life had been safeguarded for us by our soldiers. Were we going to be wttUi? of their sacrifice? The call to-day was to - livd the sacrificial life. It was not a time for ease and ; self-seeking. The speaker gave instances of wonderful heroism in tho trenches, and asked "Is the nation worth it?" Then followed an impassioned appeal to live not for self, and greed, but for the good of others. ; The nation must stand by tho men who had dono so nobly. The address closed with an earnest message to the returned men—of whom there wero between 30 and 40 present—to _ keep their ideals high, to stand by the Christian Churoh, to live for God and the high principles for which they so gallantly fought. The Rev. J. Harris, of Springs ton, late minister of the Church, ©poke feelingly of the time when, the men left home for tho war, and expressed pleasure that so many had come tack. Ho recalled various, indidents in. his friendship with the three men who lost their livce. Messrs F. Goodrick and W. Fleming were temporarily resident in, the district at the time of enlistment. Trooper Frank W. Rudd was an only eon-, whose father was one of the etalwarts of the district. He was glad the "Diggers" had raised such an appropriate tablet to the memory of their comrades. ' The eervice throughout was very impressive. <It was conducted by the resident minister, the Rev. F. E, Leadley, whose colleague, the Renr. H. S. Kings, "Waddington, read the lessons. The singing oi the appropriate hymns "0 God our IT<?lp, "Jcbu, Lover of my Soul," and "Thy Will bo Done," added greatly to tho Eervice, which xras closed with the benediction, and the singing of the National Anthem.