A THANKFUL PEOPLE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 97, 24 March 1941, Page 7

A THANKFUL PEOPLE.

ADEQUATE CAUSE FOR PRAISE

(British Official Wireless.)

{Rec. 11.55 a.m.) RUGBY, March 23. In every church and every denomination, throughout Britain Sunday has been, observed as a National Day of Prayer—the third of ... such occasions since,the outbreak of war. Great congregations in St., Paul's and Westminster Abbey, and tiny congregations in the remote countryside joined with the King in thanking God for the furthering of civilised man's endeavour, and in praying for strength to surmount whatever obstacles to world peace may lie 'ahead.

The Archbishop of Canterbury voiced the fce.lings of the nation when, in a broadcast service, he said: "This has been a day of thanksgiving as-well as prayer. Truly, we have good cause for thanksgiving. "Think of the wonderful way we surmounted the sudden grave danger which surrounded us when France surrendered and left us to stand alone. Think of the loyalty of our other Allies to the common cause, of the inspiring example of vigilant Greece; of the millions in countries now enslaved by the enemy who, though they cannot act or even speak freely, arc longing in their hearts for the victory of our Arms to bring them deliverance. . , "Think of the unbroken unity ol will and purpose which binds the whole nation together. Think of the cheering sucesses already won by our Fleet 'on the high seas, by our Armies in North and East Africa, and by our Air Force everywhere. ' "Think, most of all, of the help now coming across the ocean from the vast resources of the United States, speedilv and without stint. "Truly, when we think of these things we have good reason to thank God for courage, and be strong." A GREAT CAUSE.

The Archbishoo continued: "A secondsource of strength is the greatness of our cause. It is becoming more and more clear that our struggle is not lor our own safety, but for the freedom ot other nations and indeed the whole world. ~ , "President Roosevelt, in the great speech he has just delivered, has unfolded this world-wide mission of liberation entrusted to the two great Democracies. The assurance that we- arc fighting for so great a cause must be strength to inspire and uphold us in all the coining days may bring. In conclusion His Grace dwelt on the ultimate cause of our strength _ "We must find it in God. that is the tliird and deepest source ot strength to which I would bid you and all lny fellow countrymen turn, llie strength He gives is the strength ot the Spirit, and it cannot be too often repeated that it is by the strength of the Soil-it more than by the strength of men and and machines and munitions, that in the hist resort this war will be lost or won.