Notes and Comments.

Feilding Star, Volume XI, Issue 2499, 9 November 1914, Page 2

Notes and Comments.

To-day's Anniversaries. Battle of Niveile began, 1818 Tourgueniev, the Russian novelist horn, 1818, Edward VII. born, 1841. Great Fire of Boston, 1872. Elingamito wrecked, 1902.

Something to Rejoice Over

-ihe fall of Tsingtau into the hands oi the Japanese and British in Kaiochau Bay, China Sea, means more to uh out here in the uttermost part of the seas than an offset to the capture of Antwerp by tho Germans. The siege of the German headquarters in China was expected to be a long-drawn-out affair, for it was strongly fortified. But tho Japanese, as we anticipated, havo repeated their tea lin taking Port Arthur—they did the impossible in record time. To us this capture is news of the very first importances for it releaser- some of the British and Japanese fleets from Kaiochau Bay. and these can set cutin pursuit of those German raiders who aro a constant meneaco to the shipping and the countries o<er this way. The sadness of the disaster inflicted upon the British warships in South American waters is offset h~ tho fall of Tsingtau and the release cf the Allied fleet there to set cut in pursuit of the Emden, Leipzig, bcharnhorst, and Nurnburg. Union in Prayer. The Preacher yesterday morning' animadverted strongly against tho slackness of his people in tho public! jfftring of prayer. At tho time oT tho

first peril on the outbreak of the war, the people attended the chnrmi in fair numbers for special prayers on behalf of the Empire's forces on land and sea. It was a righteous oause for which the war was being wagad by Britain, and we had not only the right but the duty for persistent prayer for the success of our arms, which fougiit for the liberties of all people against despotism and militarism in a nation wnose philosophy was wholly materialistic; But of late the people had quite ceased from attending the prayer meetings—and prayer was more needed now than ever. We make a note of the Preacher's protest and plea in order to suggest that now is the great opportunity for our churches to unite im one o«mmon patriotic cause: why not all unite in holding a weekly meeting for prayer for the Empire? The Feilding choirs recently came together for a concert, and the union of churches aught easily follow. All the churches in the Homeland—Anglican, Roman Gatholic, and Nonconformist—are to observe the first Sunday in tho New Year as a Day of Intercession. No doubt Feilding will will com© into line with this also.