EMPIRE SUNDAY.

Manawatu Times, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 12800, 25 May 1914, Page 8

EMPIRE SUNDAY.

ALL SAINTS' CHURCH PARADE. A large number of people assembled in the Square yesterday afternoon to witness the procession from Coleman Place to All Saints' Church in connection with the Empire Day service. The procession, which was headed by the Palmerston Brass Band, marched round the Square and then to the church. Those taking part were Veterans, J Battery, Territorials, Senior Cadets, Scouts and Fire Brigade. A large number of people assembled in the church for the service which was conducted by the Rev. Rosher.

The Vicar took for his text "N>t unto us 0 Lord, not unto us, but unto Thy Name give Glory." In the course of an eloquent address he pointed out that Empire Sunday gives the King's subjects all the world over a chance to realise afresh their nationality. Our nation had grown up amidst the seas. It had been shaped in storm and trial. It has overcome dangers and its rock bound coast had thrown back invasion. It had won wealta and power and had stood for liberty and justice, and it is the shelter for many free peoples. Great Britain's Dominions, colonies and dependencies ore part and parcel of herself. Her blood is in their veins. They are the sons and daughters to whom is given that freedom to develop in their own lives. The nation was great and old and we must offer ourselves in its defence, while every right thinking man must pray and work for the time when war shall cease. They had also to be on the watch for enemies more dangerous than Asiatic or German. He referred to the enemies that creep an 3 crawl into our stronghold. They had to guard against the luxuries which sap a nation's vitality. They were also to guard against selfishness which regards only its own interests and against the meanness which refuses others rights. They were also warned about the Godlessness so rampant in our midst which acts as though God could be politely ignored and as if religion were an extra to be left to enjoy a little corner of its own. We cry "God save the Nation," and may it also give us eyes to see its needs and offer ourselves for its defence. May the glory of our nationality make us realise the glory of other nationalities. May the days hurry on when all nations, each with its own character, each with its own aptitude for work, may serve the general good. It is a glorious thing to be a nation, but it is infamous to take the glory. It is a grand thing to be a giant, but it is a poor thing to act as a giant. Our nation should so act that other nations seeing her greatness may say "How great is justice," How great is love," How sure a leader is Christ." The nation's policy should be, not the exaltation of Britain's name, but such exaltation of justice and love that other nations should adopt the way of justice and the way of love. God has given us a great position among the nations and the British Empire knows her greatness, but it is well to remember that the greatness of a nation is measured not by its material triumphs but by the fulfilment of its office to humanity. The love of country .like all love, is sustained not by gaining, but by giving. The crowning hope of Israel was that in the people all the nations of the earth should be blessed. Such is the Divine law of national prosperity. God is greatc than the British Empire and he requires the nation and each one of us as British subjects to do justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly. "Not unto us, 0 Lord, not unto us but unto Thy Name give Glory.'' May this be our prayer as we recall the fact that we are citizens of the greatest Empire the world has ever seen.