LOOK BACKWARD

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20139, 8 January 1940, Page 6

LOOK BACKWARD

LESSONS FROM PAST THANKSGIVING SERVICE GISBORNE OBSERVANCE CANON HALL’S ADDRESS “We are solemnly going to rededicate ourselves to God; only then will life be worth while,” said Canon A. F. Hall yesterday afternoon concluding his address at the centennial thangsgiving service conducted in Holy Trinity Church. There was a good attendance at the special service, representatives being present from several other churches and from many of the principle business organisations. Holidays had prevented the attendance of some of the clergy. The purpose of the thanksgiving was for the congregation to meet in the presence of God to commemorate 100 years of colonisation in New Zealand" by rendering thanks to the Heavenly Father for the great benefits received at His hands and by rededicating their lives to the task of establishing His kingdom in our land. The large number of anniversaries that were observed during the course of a year were enumerated by Canon Hall, in his address. There would be at least 100 such days to be celebrated in a greater or lesser degree. “If we keep an anniversary purposely for sentimental reasons we miss a great deal,” he said, prior to suggesting three courses that should be adopted by all on an anniversary. Resolve to do Better “Firstly, we should look back and learn from our mistakes and our experiences in the past. Say to ourselves we will never do that again because we have learned our lesson, and we will try to do better next time In his second suggestion ‘Canon Hall said that in the case of the anniversary of a death people should look back at the examples made by the deceased, and it would be of benefit to resolve to emulate the good acts of that person. God should be thanked for the gifts he had given them, for His guidance, goodness, and friendship. That would be a practical manner of observing an anniversary. Thirdly, one should resolve to be more worthy. “To-day we are celebrating 100 years of colonisation and we can look back on the marvellous strides that have been made in that time," said Canon Hall. In our midst we had beauty, peace in some ways because we hardly knew that there was a war in progress, safety in this corner of the world, freedom, culture, and the blessings of religion. “No Use Ignoring Facts” “As we look back in the history of New Zealand we also see many glaring mistakes that arose out of greed and one section exploiting another.” he continued. “Many things make the country unworthy to be called Christian, and it is no use ignoring these facts. We have to learn something from those mistakes and not let them recur. The temptations to repeat the errors will be with us still, although perhaps in a modified form." People were so apt to take everything and give little. The purpose of the thanksgiving service was to thank God for all He had given us so as not to forget the giver. A combined choir led the singing of the processional hymn, the first and third verses of the National Anthem, and two selected hymns. The service also included the chanting of Psalm 121. Collection for Red Cross The lesson was read by Mr. S. H. Phillips, representing the Presbyterian Church. The first portion of the act of intercession and thanksgiving was read by Captain Percy Smith, of the Salvation Army, and the latter part by Mr. W. S. Dawson, Methodist Church. Pastor L. K. Usman, Church of Christ took the act of dedication. Canon Hall announced that the collection taken would be handed to the Red Cross fund.