IN THE CHURCHES.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 11 May 1925, Page 5

IN THE CHURCHES.

MANY TRIBUTES PAID

I As soon as the sad news came j through, the ministers of the town I were advised so that they could make the. announcement to their congregations. The sad event occupied the minds of all and created a deep feelingof regret at the passing of a great man. At St. Mary's an eloquent tribute was paid oy the Vicar, Rev. H. AY. Monaghan. M.A. He said the genuine symapiuv and sorrow which has been manifest throughout JNew Zealand during the past few weeks by people of all poltical oninions has been,a remarkable testimony to the respect and honour won by the late Prime Minister. The head of a great political party must always be subject to the searching criticism of his opponents. _ It has surely been a most remarkable fact in William Massey’s long ministry that those who disagreed with the wisdom of his policy could never doubt the sincerity of his motives nor find fault with the disinterested honesty of his administration. His long ministry has been characterised by three great simple virtues. He has always been candid, straightforward and open in all his conflicts and political controversies. His ministry has been marked by a tremendous capacity for work. Prime Minister has been no courtesy title in the case of William Massey, for he has indeed been the first servant of his country, and best of all his long public life m the first office of the State lias 'eft his honour as a man untarnished. ‘De mortuis nihil nisi bonum’ tributes will he poured forth in columis by the Press. Such tributes often -sound a little forced.,and sometimes degenerate into fulsome flattery. AVe shall be spared that in the case of William Massey, because however men may have disagreed with him polititicn.’iv, all have • honoured him as a man who feared Cod, honoured the iKing and strove unsparingly to serve his country. The people of New Zealand have cause to-night to thank God both for the work he has done and for the example and tradition he has left behind.

At the Presbyterian Church after the announcement of the news of Mr Massey’s death, the congregation rose and stood with bowed heads as the Rev. R. E. Evans offered up prayer. Mr Evans said he thanked God for what Mr Massey had been able to do, and the wisdom and highmindedness displayed in all liis work for the Dominion. They all had a feeling of thank-