MEMORIAL SERVICE.

Greymouth Evening Star, 6 September 1915, Page 3

MEMORIAL SERVICE.

HOLY TRINITY CHURCH. A memorial service was held in Holy Trinity Church last night in memory of Privates G. Cottle, A. Robbie, and Willis, who were killed in me recent fighting in the Dardanelles. The con. grecation was a large one ami included members of the Masonic Louge and the National Reserve. The preacher was the Rev. J. Eog. ers, 8.A., who took for his text Romans v.,7. “For scarcely for a right, eons man will one die; but per adven. ture for that which is good some one would even dare to die.” Mr. Rogers said that day after day the casualty list brought home some fresh shock, and those who were fallen, wounded or missing were not the feeble or aged for whom death came in the natural order, for whoso loss we shed a tear and resign ourselves to the common lot of humanity. No, they were the flower of our country, the young and enthusiastic youths ripening into the fulness of their powers. Full of life and strength, and.in the flower of their age they offered themselves for their King and' Country. Amongst them were Privates Cottle, Willis, Robbie, Kettelty and Mills, and other West Coasters for whom wo mourn but for whose death God would have us “Lift up our hearts.” Words fulled to ex. press the sterling and manly qualities of these men who offered freely all that they had and regarded not their lives even unto death. W'e extend to their parents and friends, added the speaker, cur deepest sympathy and wc pray that the God of all comfort will com,, fort them in their desolation. If i were asked what has bccoem of our boys who died to save our homes, our country, our Empire, I should not for one moment hesitate to say that without any doubt they have risen with, the risen Christ, and arc acceptable in His sight. A soldier may not have been all that we would wish him to be, but he has risen to the highest pitch of his manhood —he has died for his friends. Did not Christ say that ho who would save his own life shall lose it? Do you bc-lieve for a moment that God has led his sons up to the hour of death only to throw them away —to throw away the soul just when -it has reached the height of attainment —just when it is being offered for mother and father, for home and country? No sane person can believe that, still less cun anyone who has learned to love and value life believe It. W’e do not think of our boys at the Dardanelles as perished. Since there is a risen Christ all is right If your best and dearest is among them he would have you brave and take courage and look forward to the day when you shall meet him again, when there shall be no-more death, neither sorrow nor crying and when the former things shall have passed away.