THANKSGIVING DAY

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume IX, Issue 172, 7 July 1919, Page 5

THANKSGIVING DAY

A NOTION AT PRAYER.

GREa r SERVICE AT ST. PAUL’S

(Received 7, 10.5 a.m.) London, July 6

To-day witnessed the nation at prayer. The congregation through- , out the country of all sects and faiths joined in a public thanksgiving for peace. There were services at Little Bethel’s, Salvation Army Barracks, Congregational Chapels, and Parish Churches. Flags were j flying over many of these places and I all over the land. I St, Paul’s Cathedral, the home of < Anglicanism, was the centre of this ’ universal worship. There was a j stately, reverent function attended Jby the King, Queens Mary and j Alexandra, many Princes, Am- ■ bassadors, Americans, representatives of the Overseas Dominions, j several Agents-General, admirals, soldiers, nurses, war workers, municipal authorities and citizens. Everybody who possessed them wore medals and honours on their uniforms. It was a great show, the ' more spectacular by reason of the I processional crosses, banners, and splendid copcs and vestments of the Cathedral clergy. To relieve pressure within the building a short out-door preliminary service was held on the Cathe j dral steps, where King George, , Queen Mary, and the princes occuI pied prominent positions. The procession moved through the west door to the dais, singing solemn hymns. The Royalties occuied places under the dome.

The Archbishop of Canterbury preached. He said as churchmen and nonconformists they met not alone to give thanks for victory tn the mightiest of all wars, but recognising how grateful they were for God’s mercies to the nation during the five ypars of terrible anxiety. The Archbishop, in casual reference to the doings of the army at Home and overseas, spoke of the Somme and the Tigris, and the torrid weeks of an Aegean July on Gallipoli, which had enriched the record of the world’s heroism. The whole service was at the highest plane of reverence and dignity. From the Cathedral to Ludgate a dense crowd cheered the Royalties, when coming and going, and during the service sang popular hymns and the National Anthem. SERVICE IN TRAFALGAR SQUARE.

(Received 7, 1.45 p.m.) London, July 6. In the presence of thousands the Bishop of London clergy, and nonconformist ministers conducted a hearty reverend thanksgiving service _in Trafalgar Square. The Salvationists also held a great celebration, a silver band supplying the music. IN AUSTRALIA. (Received 7, 10.55 a.m.) Sydney, July 7. There were impressive services in all churches yesterday. The peace thanksgiving was attended by a vast congregation. (Received 7, 10.55 a.m.) Melbourne, July 7. Mr. AV. A. Watt, Acting-Premier, announced that the Federal Government was prepared for a comprehensive scheme for relief of distress caused by unemployment, as a result of the seamen's strike, as the Peace thanksgiving cannot be sincerely and universally observed un-d«-r the present conditions. AT NAPIER. Despite, the bleak weather conditions, tne Municipal 1 neat-re was < rowUed yesterrlay atternoon, when a citizens religious serv.ee ut thanksgiving in grateful recognition ot peace toilowing upwards oi lour years ot war, was held. The llev. A. Hodge presided over tin; proceedings, and on tne stage were the combined choir under the conductor-ship of Mr. Spackman, ILs Worship the Mayor (.Ur. J. Vigor Brown), the lown Clerk and city councillors.

After ti.c congregation had sung the Hymn “U uod, Our Help in Ages I'ast,” the ehairman read the King’s proclamation, which was followed by the Lord's prayer, led by adjutant E. M. Gibbs. Then followed a scripture reading by the Rev. T. R. Richards and prayer led by Dean Mavne.

An appropriate and eloquent address was delivered by the Rev. J. A. Asher, who said that during the progres sof the great war our Allies and ourselves were at one time in jeopardy and almost in the hands of the enemy and defeat, but the God of battles and our Father in His wonderfuiness. interposed and delivered us. Peace had come to us through God. What of the men God had used to bring about this victorious peace ? In France was published a wonderful poem entitled “The Return.” The poem repre seated the war coming to an end. and the French retiring through the arch of triumph. This arch had been closed since the war of 1870. The poetn depicted the arch being reopened and the. soldiers entering Paris. The crowds cheer and reach up to heavenly places. The men of Verdun are being received in a worthv.wav and greater cheers rise up when the engineers and aviators pass through, but that is nothing to when the infantry pass through, when the very foundation of heaven is almost rocking to greet the common soldier who has endured the heat of summer and the cold of winter, in the service of France. He is being received in silence—the common bearded Poilus of Fiance. The men ami women are down on their knees in prayer. He deserved our admiration and thanks, for he is the most wonderful instrument we have seen for years. Me had to think of the dead and the bioken homes rendered desolate. They must thank the men who had come back. God had used them wonderfully to bring about peace. The Peace Treaty terms must meet the demand* of a righteous peace and not Ot’ vengeance. He hoped to-day’s meeting would not only inaugurate the coming of a glorious peace, but the coming of a lasting neace. The outlook was far from bright to-day. The God who had helped us through five years of war was still our God and was able to lead us through all our troubles. May God speed and lend v.s. The Rev. W. Grav Dixon, in the aWnce of the Bishon of Waianu. r.ronmmeed the Bened’otion. and the v-’oeec'lirigs closed with the singing <.f rhe National Anthem.

Annronriate hymns were sung ilimne the service At 3.30 the. Regimental and Cite Rands discoursed appropriate music <.n the Marino Parade, there being a •air’v einwd present. The Reaimental Rands nro---.Trnme ” a, :—March "O’t (Morions Trnn-r-. " ' 0v,..-r-i’-o. " : R,->-o With Virto-v.” anti t i,„ H’— t’" *"• GsJ r'G'- Hdn m Ines Past.” The C ; ry Rand's programme was: ilarch "Mount

Egmont” ; selection, “Empire Land,” cornet solo “Irene,” and hymn “Eternal Father,” the afternoon’s proceeding, closing with the bands playing “God Save the King.” At St. Patrick’s Church, Napier, Thanksgiving Day was very fittingly celebrated. At 10 o’clock in the morning, High Mass was offered up as a special Thanksgiving service, the officiating clergy being Rev. Dr. Casey, Fathers Tymons and Dowling. An appropriate discourse was delivered by Rev. Father Tymons. At the earlier Masses, thanksgiving was also offered up in a fitting manner, several hundred Communicants approaching the Holy Table. This morning solemn Requiem Mass was offered up at 7 o’clock, for the repose of the souls of our soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice in the war.

There were crowded congregations at all the churches yesterday morning when reference was -made to the signing of Peace. At St. Paul’s, the Aloderator of the Presbyterian General Assembly- (the Rev. IV. Gray Dixon) delivered an impressive address, which was listened to with rapt attention throughout. Special services were also conducted by the Salvation Army. AT HASTINGS. Though the sky w-as overcast and a drencning shower fell before tue commencement of tue ceremony over 2,000 people assembled on tne grandstand of the Hawke's Bay Jockey elub’s racecourse, Hastings, yesterday afternoon, to assist in the united thanksgiving service, to mark the official proclamation of peace between. tne Allies and the Central European Powers. The Hastings Band, under Conductor Spurdie, marched on to the grounds and, during the service, played the various hymns, the singing, whicii was joined in by the throng of people, being led by a choir, composed of members of different church choirs, under the baton of Choirmaster Percy Tombs. Rev. J. B. Brocklehurst directed the proceedings and the following hymns weie sung: —“O God Our Help in Ages I’ast,” “All People that on Earth di> well,” “O God of Bethel by Whose Hand, “We Hail the Proclamation.”

Rev. A. Mcßean read the psalm “‘O Sing .Unto the Lord a NewSong.” Pastor H. E. Edridge and Captain Hayes (S.A.) offered fervent thanks giving prayers, and addresses w ere delivered by Revs. F. Bennett and P. Ramsay. Rev. F. Bennett in the course of an eloquent discourse, said that it w-as almost impossible to find word* to convey what was in their hearts in giving thanks to God for the victory- he had given to them. Perhaps they could not express themselves better than in the words of the proclamation, which said that the people of the nation and the Empire should thank God not for the Height of their arms, or for their wisdom, not for their forces or even for their Navy, but to humbly thank Him for the victory which, in his goodness, lie had vouchsafed us. There was a great deal to be thankful for. It w-as said tTiat things were so bad that thev had nothing to rely on but God to Whom the Empire prayed and Who had answered the prayer. He expressed the genera* svirioathy left for those whose homes held vacant places and though whose tremendous sacrifices the Empire enjoyed the fruits of victory-to-day. To those he would say “You can rejoice with the Empire, because your sacrifices have not been in vain and you can look forward to the great and golden hope of meeting again because you must remember your loved ones are ‘not lost but 'gone before.’ ” The Angel of Peace was to-day on earth proclaiming the Gospel of Peace with a silver trumpet through the world, “Glory to God in the Highest and, on Earth, Peace ami Good W ill Towards Men. He concluded by saying that he hoped the returned soldiers, who had faced death in defence of their country, would now help their country in her reconstruction, by living for her. They had already proved their courage and devotion on the field of battle and they were now called on to act their part in assisting to improve the conditions of the couu try, socially, morally and spiritually. (Applause). The Rev. Peter Ramsay, in delivering a feeling address, said that thev were not present on parade, but for'the purpose of bringing a thanks giving of praise for the peace which had come to them and the meeting should praise the great name of God. or a blessing would not come of their assemblage. Peace was more valued on earth to day- than people had been ever able to value it in the past. Peace stood in contrast to trouble, and they- had been surrounded by calamity for the past five years which should give peace a new- and inestimable value. If they would know the peace of a calm sea, they must have sailed through storm and hurricane, and with these they had been lashed with terrific fury, until they had trembled in very fear lest disaster befal. To know what peace was they should think w-hat threatened them if the enemy had conquered and, if they were to reap the full harvest of peace, they- must render all their thanks to the living God, the God of peace, who had given them victory and brought them through all their troubles. Teo >ften they had missed God by thinking that God was confined to the temple to the altar, to the priests. No, God was with them in their battles, in their politics, in their industries and m their commercial life. They must bring God out of that confinement and bring Him into the whole of human life, then they w-ould know more of tne perfect peace which God would grant to them. The present was only a partial peace, because they found themselves surrounded by unrest and trouble on every side. It would be a travesty of peace, if they- secured it from their enemies and failed to keep it amongst themselves They must conceive God in a spirit less denominational, less sectarian and more in the Spirit of God, the father of all men. If God could give them this great victory, he could give them guidance in their ordinary things. in their political, social, commi-rr-inl and industrial differences and in their whole national life. There could be no true peace without pay, and they had paid the price in thousands and millions of the best of the race, and won. by the sacrifice of much precious blood, a peace which would spread over the whole earth. (Applause). The people then sung the doxologv and the National Anthem, after which Rev. J. B. Brocklehurst brought the service to a close with Benediction.

AT HAVELOCK NORTH. Yesterday's United Service was unfortunately marred by .a heavy shower which fell soon after the nroecedinffs commenced. Tt was ar ranged to hold the se'-vlco in the school playground, but when the rain came on, the Rev. R. Waugh offered

the use of the Presbyterian Church, to winch everyone went. There was a packed bunding and every inch of standing room was occupied. ihe programme opened with the reading ot the King's proclamation, by Mr. E. U. Clarkson, chairman of tne Town Board. The Rev. R. Baugh read Hsaim 21, and Canon Lusu ottered up prayer. The singing was a special leatuie, the large con« giegation joining neartiiy in singing tue "Uid Hundredth' “lieces sional,” “Rule Britannia” and “O God our Help in Ages Past.” Air. J ames Holmes was the speaker and he was listened to with tiie closest attention, he said tile first and dominant note to-day was one of thanksgiving to God for deliverance, tor victory and for peace; After all they had gone through

tuey were constrained to gatner in a aevout and humble spirit and acknowledge tne goodness of God and tne hejp of God. He said men crowded the churches nearly five years ago, groping after God, stunned Dy tiie iorce of the blow which had fallen. But the blows continued to fall and they had to set their faces steadfastly towards Jerusalem, bear their own cross and climb their calvary. The shadow of deatn had fallen everywhere, and they had been purified. As the dark

days passed, what impressed him was tne_ deepening faith of man in God. They went into the war clean and they came out of it clean. Judged by the Jaws of man they were bound to lose, but they had won and the nation that appealed to the sword had perished by it. That great lesson of chosing to do the right, icgardless of the consequences, had been learnt. The Kaiser said “God was on Germany’s side.” We said we wanted to be on God’s side—a mighty difference that. God can only be on the side of right and justice. As a nation they stood everywhere for fair play ana justice. Their word was as good as their bond, they kept faith and treated their bonds not as “scraps of paper.” Some of us have got to live up to our boys who have fought and died that we might Jive. It might be better to call this service a thanks living service. We have to live our lives on higher levels and to the full. We stood amidst the ruins of ol I methods and we were going to build a better world. To do this we need God’s help to energise us. Our thinking would shape our deeds. Let this day be a day of Consecration and it would be the shortest and quickest road to the Kingdom of God on earth. In conclusion the speaker paid a great tribute to the lads who had “gone west,” and to the parents of those lads. A very impressive and memorable service and one that will not easily be forgotten, was brought to a conclusion by the benediction, by Canon Lush, and the National Anthem, which was sung with great feeling;

Appropriate thanksgiving services were held in St. Luke’s and St. Columba’s Presbyterian Church, both morning and evening yesterday. There were very large, congregations at all the services, the spirit of the worshippers being one of thanksgiving and praise for deliverance) and victory over a formidable enemv.

Press Association messages from variuos centres in New Zealand report the holding of thanksgiving services similar to those held locally.

“HOW CAN THE NATION REJOICE I”

[TO THB EDITOR.]

Sir, —AV hen 1 think of all the good money going up in smoke, on the 19th inst., which ought to be used to assist those in distress, I cannot refrain from repeating Sir Douglas Haig’s words as they appear m your Saturday’s issue, “How can the nation rejoice in a- victorious peace when those who have given up everything in the struggle are in such want ?” The question crosses my mind as to whether we are doing our best in New Zealand for. those who have given up everything in the struggle. All I nave , princ>pally observed at present, is that land which was selling at £5O , per acre before the war is now bought by the Government for soldiers’ settlements at £BB per acre. It looks as if even the soldiers who created the enhanced values, are also being exploited. Is profiteering the principal industry in New Zealand, and is our National Government well aware of the fact ?—I am, eite..

L. W. FOWLER. Hastings, 7/6.19.

PEACE CELEBRATIONS.

AUCKLAND ARRANGEMENTS,

Auckland, July 6. Peace celebrations will be held in Auckland on two days, Saturdaj’, July 19, and the following Monday, which will be Children’s Day. It has also been arranged to have illuminations in the city on three days.

A CHRISTCHURCH PROTEST. Christchurch, July 6. The chairman of the Christchurch Peace Celebrations Committee telegraphed as follows to the Minister of Internal Affairs The Christchurch Peace Celebrations Committee views with alarm the Government’s decision to pay a subsidy on sums expended for celebrations on July 19 only. At the Government’s suggestion the committee has already arranged three days’ celebrations, and expenditure has alreadj* been incurred on the strength of the Government’s promised subsidy in preparation for the three days’ celebrations. It is impossible to carry out the programme arranged on one day. To comply -with the Government’s plan means cutting out the children’s part of the celebrations fixed for July 21, for wffiich an expenditure has already been incurred of £750. VVe hope matters will be satisfactorily arranged, as the committee has acted in good faith by carrying out the Government’s suggestion.

Christchurch, July 7. j In connect ion with the Peace Com- < miftee's protest against the Government’s decision to pay a subsidy ; on sums expended on celebrations on July 19 only, the Hon. G. AV. Russell has asked for the amount of extra expenditure involved in July ’ 21st arrangements, for the purpose ' of submitting the matter to the i Cabinet. The chairman of the com- ' mittce has forwarded the iniun«»rion, stating the programme .is arranged will be carried out.