ROLL OF HONOUR

Grey River Argus, 27 August 1917, Page 2

ROLL OF HONOUR

SECOND-LIEUT. R. TENiNENT> . MEMORIAL SERVICE AT- ST. JOHN'S. One of the largest congregations eve.r seen at St. John's Presbyterian Church assembled last evening when a solemn memorial service to the late Second-Lieut. Eobert Tennont was held. The Rev. J. W. Smyth, 8.A., conducted the service, and there was a large attendance of members of the Territorials Rifle Clubs, and Senior Cadets, under the 'command of Captain Colclough. The Eev. Mr. Smyth, taking as his text Hebrews VI., verse '2o: "Whither the Forerunner for us is entered," preached a masterly sermon on the Ascension. Eef erring particularly to Lieut. Tennent, the preacher said: ' ' This evening we arc anxious to do honour to the memory of one who by Grace has followed the Forerunner into heavenly places. Two months ago to-day Lieut. Tennent, known familiarly in this church as Bob Torment, fell at the post of duty. We sorrow for him greatly. He was our own. He was . peculiarly the possession o£ this church. Baptised and trained in this Sunday School he never left the Sunday School. When 119 had acquired some knowledge of the Word of God he began at once the Christian task of teaching little children. He did not leave God out of his reckoninghe was not of 'soul profane, of reason so blinded'; he was a church member, confessing Christ as Lord in Christ's own appointed way. Happy the parents who can look back on such a youth going irt and out of their home. When the call of duty to defend free■f dom hardly won came, it was not hard ■to guess what such a youth would do. He would not shirk; he w-ould not refuse the Cross. In fact, he volunteered. When Lieut. Tennent Avcnt to the front, those who knew him best did < not expect him back, except by a j miracle, for they knew he would be in ' the forefront of the hottest battle, fighting recklessly. Apparently this is just what befell, j "I Avas a student when Gladstone died. At the . memorial service in Belfast the minister spoke of the concrete case of one Avho feared God. Much more may we glory in the case of a simple and sincere . soul, not as Gladstone versed and practised in the ! tortuous ways of the politician. May every company of the church have men like Bob Tenne'nt growing up in her midst. Then she, shall not be ' ashamed in the gate. ' ! "The case of Lieut. Tenuent helps us to realise what this war ia cosflng : us. We are losing our ships, our I trade, our Avealth in . many forms. 1 These might in time be replaced, but the true Avealth of the nation cannot be replaced. Tho Roman nation produced her clean-limbed and clean, big boys when asked to show her jewels. , They were truly . of priceless worth. ! When I spoke to one or two about I Bob Tennent these last two days they repeated 'clean living.' He. was apparently of clean lips, of clean hands) clean of body; never ashamed to look : his father or mother or* a more intimate friend (if he had such) in the face. Frank, manly, true; a mind oT his own and courage to profess it; he lived in town and camp by the Grace of God. . He. was definitely Christian; Christ in him and he in Christ. "To some it is given to serve long years ; to others one supreme moment comes when they do more in. a moment than others do in years. Only a boy of 21 yet Bob Tennent . stands for I time- and eternity in "the company of the very noblest of the British race. In his own Avay he could say with another heroic soul: 'I have finished my course; I have kept the faith. Henceforth for me there is the- Crown of life.' > - I ■ "He is not dead, the child of our affection ... -In Christ 's * House arc many abiding places. His parents have just the same number •of children they had a year ago. Whoever, aud whatever else they may lose one is certainly safe at Home. ."Servant- of God, well clone." The impressive service Avas brought to a close. Avith. the. playing of tfcV Dead March.