"THE COMING OF THE FLEET"

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 35, 10 August 1925, Page 3

"THE COMING OF THE FLEET"

"The Coming of the Fleet" wa« the subject of the Rev. F. E*. Harry's "hotpoint talk" preceding the sermon in the Vivian Street Baptist Church last night. The visit of the American Fleet, said the preacher, was an event of vast world significance. We ought, in thes« remote islandi, to regard it as s. good omen. In the United State* resided 60 per cent, of the Anglo-Saxon -world; that was three out of every five Englishspeaking people lived on the other side of the Pacific. Such a display of naval strength must make for peace. The nations now realised that America had become a world Power, not self-contain-ed arid self-absorbed, but with <a wide outlook, a far-reaching sympathy, and a more generous understanding and .ippreciation of British ideals. The life and letters of the late American Ambassador to England ' (Mr. Walter 11. Page) revealed a process of enlightenment ami sympathy going on rapidly among that aggregation of nationalities within the United States borders, and in-this necessary process Mr. Page played a great part. England had led the way !in destroying'the slave trade within the Empire, but America had led the way in banishing the liquor curse. What was our duty to these sailors from the other,side of'the Pacific? Wo should exercise towards them a wise and generons hospitality. There were 2700 Baptists in this visiting fleet, with six chaplains, find about one half of these wore: coming to Wellington. No doubt the mass of our people would cordially greet these visitors, yive them a good time, and send them away with the happiest memories of Wellington. Among our visitors were many sterling Christian men, whom it would l.ic a jny to welcome; and with whom we might b»v« many scueuus ot Iwj'jiy [«Uow«lijy,