MEMORIAL WINDOW TO SOLDIERS

Evening Star, Issue 18258, 24 April 1923, Page 4

MEMORIAL WINDOW TO SOLDIERS

UNVEILED AND DEDICATED IN' FIRST CHURCH, In First Church on Sunday morning a soldiers’ memorial window was unveiled and dedicated. It is in memory of the forty-seven men (Connected with tho church who laid down their- lives in tho Great War; and in the churchy vestibule a memorial brass tablet emblazons their names. Two returned soldier members read tho Scripture lessons, and the choir sang the anthem ‘Comes at Times,’ composed by Sir Herbert Oakley for tho memorial service to tho late Prince Consort. 1 lie window was then unveiled by Mr William Couston, senior elder, the congregation standing and Bugler Napier sounding iho Last Post.’ Then followed a prayer _of dedication, Dr Galway afterwards playing tho lament, ‘The Flowers of the I ores t, and tho bugler giving the ‘Reveille. The Rev. G. H. Balfour, in addressing the congregation, said: “Our service today ia a service of commemoration and tho unveiling of our soldiers’ memorial window. To-day wo dedicate tho window to the glory of God and to tho memory of those who fought their fight and gave their lives for God and King and) conntry. It should also bo a service of tho dedication of ourselves to tho great cause of God and His kingdom. The memorial which wo have placed in this church is also one of thanksgiving—thanksgiving for the victory which wo were enabled to win and for the peace which we enjoy. Tho window was subscribed tons a peace thank offering as well as memorial. It is a service both of sadness and of gladness. Wo are sad at the thought of tho loss that wo have suffered, sad at the loss of so many young and noble lives, and wo are sad at the thought of tho multitude of bo-s reaved parents and .friends whose loved ones were so suddenly snatched from them. For these life can never be the same. Yet there is also a deep undercurrent of joy even in the hearts of tho sorrowful today, a joy that springs from thankfulness that when tho call camo so many wore willing and ready to go forth and meet hardship, danger, and even death for tho cause of righteousness. “What will be the result of their sacrifice? Unless it makes tho world a better place to live in, it will have been in vain. But tho world can only be made a bettor place by there being better men andi women. It will depend upon what wo are and what we do. And wo must_ begin just where wo are—in our homo, in our business, in our social and public life, and in our Church.

“The 1 -window, subscribed for by straight-out giving, a memorial and a peace' thank offering, you will all recognise to bo a thing of great beauty and..a glorious ornament to this church; but it will also preach a powerful sermon to this and to the generations following. “The window is divided in four subjects. The first, on the left at the top, represents a Christian knight arming for battle, the Three Graces in attendance. Beneath is the inscription ‘ Put on the whole armor of God.’ The Christian armor is not only for those who went to tho front. For all have enemies to meet, a warfare to accomplish. We have to stand against the wiles of the devil The first picture is a sermon. “In the second subject, on the right top, the central figure is that of Christ holding a crown of victory. On the left is* a guardian angel, and on the right are the figures of two New Zealand khaki-clad soldiers. One is kneeling, his broad-rimmed hat resting on the ground. Tho other, an officer, stands bareheaded beside him. Beneath this is the inscription 'Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.’ The lesson is for us all. He that fights and overcomes will receive his reward. A crown is waiting for those who gain the victory in life’s warfare. But the crown of life is only for those who are faithful unto death.

“ In the lower subject, on the left, ancient. Roman soldiers are beating swords Into ploughshares. The background is Eastern scenery. The inscription beneath this design is 'They shall beat their swords info ploughshares.’ Here we have the Christian ideal, the transformation of military weapons into implements of peace. There is to be a moral equivalent of war. There is to be a life of strenuous endeavor and a warfare with Nature in order to claim from it that which, will bring most comfort and happiness to mankind—production, and not destruction. “ The fourth picture is that of the shepherds receiving the heavenly message of peace, with a background) of Eastern scenery. Beneath is the inscription ‘Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace.’ “Here we Have symbolised the object for which our soldiers fought, and 1 the true Christian state which wo are seeking. “ May this peace thank offering be a constant inspiration to faith and patience, service and sacrifice, and to a full and complete devotion to our Lord Jesus Christ, Who loved ns and gave Himself for ns.” After the benediction Dr Galway played Chopin’s ‘Funeral March.’