ST., DAVID'S DAY.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18634, 8 March 1926, Page 11

ST., DAVID'S DAY.

WELSH COMMEMORATION SERVICE. TTio eighth annual serviw ia the Christchurch Cathedral in e«ieb**tion of St. David's Day was held yesterday afternoon, when the Cathedral was well filled with Welshmen and others. In his sermon, the Ven. Archdeacon Taylor spoke of Patriotism, which, he said, was part of that instinct which made men gregarious and social animals. This instinct was one of the fundamental principles of ~life and found, perhaps, its most noble expression in love of ono's native la,nd. Then'gradually the mother and father find & place in our thoughts, then, if we are so blessed, brothers and sisters. This circle gradually enlarges and we absorb into it more people and to those people we are loyal. Love of country was high up the ladder of loyalties, but it was not quite the top. Above it was loyalty to the great Brotherhood of Man. When this came wo should take part in it as good Englishmen, good Welshmen, good Frenchmen, and good Gcrniaus* The Church of Christ was larger than any nation, and would override individual nations. This it would do not by despising them, but by love, absorbing them. Each nation would bring its good qualities. The Welsh would bring their fervour and their great gift of song. The nations should preserve their good qualities, keep them pure, and present them to the world. The Very Rev. the Dean assisted with the service, part of which was read in the Welsh tougue. The Welsh prayers were read by Mr A. D. Jenkins,' and the lessons by Messrs David James and R. H. Williams.. A feature of the service was the singing of tho sacred solo, "Hark, My Soul" and "Hear Israel,' 5 by Madame Gower-Burns. Unfortunately the latter solo was marred by the breaking down of the electric power which blows the organ.