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Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIII, Issue 113, 27 April 1933, Page 4

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ANZAC DAY SERVICE ESKDALE CHURCH. ADDRESS BY REV. B. R. BRIERLEY The Beatty Memorial Church, Eskdale, was crowded when an impressive Anzac service was conducted by the Rev. B. R. Brierley, assisted by the Rev. J. H. Wheatly. “On this Anzac Day what is our supreme obligation?” asked Mr Brierley in an address. “It is to realise that our debt to the pact can only be discharged in terms of active service to the living. For many it is harder to live triumphantly than it is to die. Faith in God and in our fellowmen is the only sure foundation of a new society and a new world. Our real peril is that man, intellectually and morally, is not advancing at the pace of the power which scientists are putting in his hands. We need some other formula than war to save humanity. If we do not want hell we had better link up with God, whose commandment is that we love one another.

“A new generation has sprung up—a generation healthy and active in mind and body, replacing the crippled generation preceding it. Alas, pathetic reminders of that terrible struggle are all around us. They are with us and we cannot forget the four years of that hell on earth so long as they remain. GRIM REALITIES. “A new' generation knows nothing, or next to nothing, of the grim realities of that period. It is impossible for them to grasp what it meant —what it still means. They know that it meant hardship, loss of limbs and facult-es, death, sorrow at home and increased worry for those left behind. As time goes on, however, will these memories and that little knowledge live? Will the sacrifice our fathers and brothers made have been in vain? The ex-ser-viceman stands silently and reverently at the War Memorial. Memories crowd through his mind and doubtless he lives ugam through the years of war service. Pictures of marching soldiers singing lustily on the way to the front crowds cheering on the pavements, knowing that they were cheering many of. the men to death; the march to the lines and the first engagement, the grim terrors of action after action; perhaps the blissful unconsciousness following a wound; their return home, the joy of meeting loved ones—the sorrow of his family to see their hero so badly injured. “What do these ex-servicemen think of war now? They were anxious to go, they were glad to get back. Opinions, as on every' subject under the sun, are varied. ‘I would rather see my son dead at my feet than to see him off to another war.’ That is a startling but nevertheless striking statement made by a disabled soldier as he gently pulled his little son on to his knee. There was a catch in his voice when he held out a good left arm and then the stump of a right. ‘Look at this,’ he almost whispered. ‘One of the worst moments of my life was when my boy turned his innocent face to mine and asked, ‘Why haven’t you got two hands like me, daddy?’

INSPIRATION. “One of the most wonderful things about life is its individual wonderous power to bo a light, to be that splendid thing—an inspiration. There are people who bore you stiff and others who inspire you. Inspiration is not so much a matter of birth or education. It is truly a result of what a man or woman is, and to-night we are remembering these elder brethren. They are still an inspiration, their light still shines. I want you to go away this evening with a pledge in your hearts — ‘I will carry the torch in my life.’ Tonight we are thinking of the many dark places that exist in all parts of tho country just now—dark places where unemployment and poverty exist. A new problem has arisen suddenly—the problem of enforced leisure. Leisure has been called the ‘growing time of the spirit,’ but at present it is anything but that. As an optimist has said, ‘The trying time is the time to try.’ I feel sure that all who are here when you return to your homes will turn your minds and energies into helping to transform these black patches of our country, wherever possible into circles of light and friendship. “We cannot live on admiration of deeds of the departed. Pride of race or boast of Empire will accomplish nothing. This evening the elder breth. ren, the lads and women who have passed away, have a message for you who have entered their world, ‘Go thou and do likewise ’

A CHALLENGE. “Anzac Day is a challenge to every man. Are your lives worthy of the sacrifice these men made? The very essence of life is service, that during our short stay on earth our lives may influence others There is not one of us who possesses a secure home, food and clothing who cannot spare something for those less fortunate. There is not one of us who has leisure, even a little, who cannot give some of it fully in the public service. Let us hope that this year, this winter, will be remembered by its courage, hope of brotherhood, of sharing, of self forgetfulness. He who at this time can boast of having no fellowship with suffering or share in sacrifice, who has raised no hand to help this country in its direst need, is indeed dead to all spiritual feeling and utterly unworthy of the name of Britisher. Let us take as our motto, ‘Think fairly, love widely, witness humbly and build bravely.’ Of our elder brethren we say, ‘Father, in Thy gracious keeping, we now leave Thv servants sleeping.’ ”