CHURCH NOTES.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 22 July 1901, Page 4

CHURCH NOTES.

Thanksgiving Service for Returned Troopers. (By Amicus ) On Sunday the morning broke clear and fine, and gave every promise of a successful thanksgiving service on behalf of the returned troopers. Sharp at halfpast ten about a hundred soldiers marched from the Drill Shed, headed by the town band, and wended their way towards Holy Trinity Church. Captains Moricc and Pegler and Lieutenants Lutz and the returned troopers were present in full number, and it was a splendid scene to witness our young manhood entering the house of God. While as ready as any of our citizens to be present at entertainments creating joviality, we believe none were more willing to give praise to God at the service yesterday than those who had been preserved from the dangers of an arduous and difficult life. For this they had every reason to feel proud. With such soldiers as Gordon, Havelock, Roberts and many others we could name, these fine young fellows need never fear any reproach for Christian sentiment and allegiance to their Divine Captain. The church was literally packed and the service opened with the appropriate hymn “.Onward Christian Soldiers. There was a full choir, and the singing of the choral liturgy and hymns was splendid throughout. The body of the church was well filled with the volunteers, and every other seat was occupied by members of the congregation. The Vicar, the Rev. G. York, preached an earnest and evangelical sermon. Many themes were open to his mind, and we might have been treated to “ The curse of Militarism,” “ The Philosophy of War,” or “The Exigencies of Patriotism, but every moment was wisely and properly used to make the soldier’s life illustrative of the Christian calling. But ho shall speak for himself. Selecting as a text 11. Timothy, 2nd chapter and 3rd verse : “ Thou, therefore, endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Chri t,” the preacher said “We ai;e all glad to welcome back the troopers from ciouth Africa. It has been a happy time for their friends and relatives, and a happy home coming for them. Not only are we glad to welcome them in banquet and in the home, but pleased to meet them in the House of God. God has preserved them from shot and shell, from the attacks of the enemy, and from enteric and other fevers incidental to South Africa. We cannot do better than thank God for answering our prayers. When they left for the war we prayed for their safe return. One of their number, Mr Cribb (a member of the choir), was absent, but ho is in good health- and rapidly securing promotion. We sympathise with the men who have endured hardships and privations on the veldts of South Africa. Often their thoughts would be of home, and as they lifted their eyes towards the stars and beheld the Southern Cross, they knew it would be visible hero too and it would lead them to higher thoughts of the Cross of Christ. For this they would fesl thankful to God and take hope. They had taken their live i in their hands, and were exposed to the deadly bullets of the enemy. Their enemy was not always visible, and it was the invisible foe that would strike them down. Warfare is fhanged from what it vas fifty years ago, victory was not always with the strongest. God ca n figh t with few as well as with many. The lesson for the day served to show the character of men selected to fight for God. Qideou’s three hundred men had overcome thousands because they wenpicked men. The men sent to the war were picked men, not only for physique, but men able to take care of themselves and use good judgment. Wo sympathise with the returned men, and our cadets can do the same as they lately experienced hardship when in the hold of Calcutta, or rather Corinna I should say, and this made them understand what the soldier had to endure. We may take life on the battlefield to illustrate the life of the soldiers of Christ. (1) We have to fight an invisible foe, and wo need to put on the whole armour of God. No soldier likes to be found shot in the back as it sometimes indicates cowardice, but the true soldier faces the foe. He must never show timidity. He must go forth at the command of the officers, and have faith in them. When our men present could talk of having Douglas and Carrington for loaders they were not afraid. But officers are not infallible men, and are liable to make mistakes. Mistakes had been made, but at last the enemy had been routei Surely, we should have confidence in our Leader. We know He ignored himself, and took the humblest place,when on earth, and was willing to be a servant. Some of the officers had set our men a good example by taking the same food and endure the same hardships. Our Captain has done the same, and it inspires us with courage to fight an invisible foe. (2) No soldier can do much unless he is well armed, li he cannot use sword and rifle Jie is useless. If is thus with many Christians, they know not how to use the sword of the Spirit of God and consequently are overcome. It is not easy how to learn the use of the sword, but it must be learned. We have been enlisted into Christ’s Church as soldiers, and it behoves us to use our weapons. (3) A soldier must be loyal, obedient, disciplined and be a man with a chivalrous spirit. Some soldiers of late have disgraced their uniform and their country by their unkind deeds. I thank God they are not our men. Among the Boers and Chinese this has been done. Our men displayed a spirit of chivalry and were kind to women and children. It was hard for them to destroy homes. They were kind to the fallen enemy. Such deeds as done by Captain Butts make him a hero and there are many here who would have done tbe same. This is the kind of service for Christians ever ready to obey and help others. (4) The text speaks of 14 good soldiers.” You have been food soldiers of the King and perhaps ad little time for heavenly things, although when your comrades fell by your side you made good resolutions. May God help you to keep those resolutions and bring them to good effect. We feel p”oud to have you with us this morning and regret that the number is not complete. Some have left their homes never ti return. Relations of my own have given their lives on the battlefield. But the dead are not lost and though their bodies lie buried their spirits are with God. Doubtless, if those present had died they would have gone to be with Christ. We trust God may long preserve you and if youjshould not be called to fight for your King again, remember you may become good citizens and faithful soldiers of Jesus Christ ever ready to do your duty for King and country. Last evening the Rev. Mr Howell conducted the service and gave an earnest and thoughtful address on Romans VI, 23. The reverend gentleman was atten- * tively listened to, and his clear distinct voice was easily heard. We have already made a big encroachment on space and must refrain from a verbatim report. We hope to hear the preacher again. At the conclusion of the service Mr Lawn sang very impressively “The Star of , Bethlehem.” '