IN HONOUR OF THE FALLEN

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 255, 12 July 1926, Page 6

IN HONOUR OF THE FALLEN

MEMORIAL TABLET AT ST. PETER’S CHURCH UNVEILING CEREMONY There was an impressive service at St. Peter’s Church, Willis Street, yesterday morning, when His Excellency the Governor-General (Sir Charles Fergusson) unveiled a memorial tablet dedicated to the memory of the men of the parish who offered their lives in the Great War. There was a special service in keeping with the dignity and spirit of the occasion, and during the unveiling ceremony the large congregation stood in silence while the dedicatory words were repeated by His Excellency. Later on in the service, Sir Charles Fergusson delivered a short address to those present, speaking with feeling of the emotions which were aroused on such an occasion, and urging his hearers to look upon the men in whose honour they were assembled as an inspiration to duty and to self-sacrifice. His Excellency urged the congregation not to look upon the occasion as one for sorrow, as that would be the last note that those whom they were commemorating would like them to strike. It was rather a day of thankfulness, of pride, and of gratitude. “These were men who knew their duty,*’ declared His Excellency, "and who had the courage to do it. They proved themselves worthy of their country and of the families from which they sprang.” It was of more importance, while the past should not be forgotten, to think of the present and of the future, and to seek, each for himself, some lesson which he might learn from those men who had given their lives. Sir Charles quoted the inscription which is to be found in the House of Commons in England: “They sought the glorv of their country; they have seen the glorv of God.” “Let us look upon this memorial,” he continued, “as something to help ns in our lives.” His Excellency rounded off his speech with another quotation: “These were merciful men whose righteousness has not been forgotten.”