MAY BECOME HOLIDAY AND NOT A HOLY DAY

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 7201, 26 April 1930, Page 8

MAY BECOME HOLIDAY AND NOT A HOLY DAY

Anzac Day Observance CHRISTIAN CONGREGATIONS COMMEMORATIVE SERVICE “Our men went overseas, not to tyrannise over a foe, or to meet men with whom' they had any personal quarrel but to do tiheir duty. The Dardanelles proved how lit they were—they accomplished the impossible and ;t was no longer the impossible. The challenge they sent is engraven on our hearts and it is for us to see that what they gave was not given in vain. We can teach our children that there is a challenge to them to play the game both'in tho daylight and in the dark,” .-aid the Ecv. J. D. McArthur last even-

ing, when speaking at tho combined Anzac Day commemoration service conducted by the Palm erst on North Council of Christian Congregations. The Ecv. McArthur took his text from Joshua 4-6, “What mean ye by' these stones,” and stressed tho necessity of the present generation answering the questions of posterity in regard to Anzac Day memorials. Many of us did not need to be told concerning these things, for we remembered the strain and stress of the war period and our feeling that when En. - land had declared war on Germany she could not have done otherwise—if she had let the issue go by we would have been distressed and humiliated. Eut had our children learned the truo significance of the day? asked the speaker. If these Anzac Day services were worth holding and worth continuing, tho children should bo taught for what they stood. He wished to sound one note of warning in connection with the observance of Anzac Day. ’Even now and again we heard of persistent requests from sports bodies for permission to hold fixtures on Sundays, Good Friday and on Anzac Day. If these persistent efforts were successful, there would he an end of all the sacredness of the day.

“If this comes to pass, I am afraid that to-day will be just another holiday and in no sense a holy day,” said Mr. McArthur. “Look how little notice is taken of Trafalgar Day. That may serve to suggest what may happen .with Anzac Day unless we pay proper attention to it.” To teach the children the true meaning of the day, wo must show them after all, God is the greatest thing in the universe; if we could do that, we were building on a sure foundation and the things we held most dear would remain saered to us. Continuing, Mr. McArthur stressed ;he jealous manner in which nature guarded her secrets and pointed out that for the progress of humanity, the price must bo paid. Doctors working to subdue disease, explorers venturing into perilous seas in quest- of knowledge, all paid the price and often to the full. - Everywhere, death awaited the footsteps of those who followed chesc paths, the men and women who took up the challenge which life threw m their teeth. Always these men and women came forward and while often our greatest glory, they were also often our greatest shame, because too often we crucified our saviours.

When our children asked questions about Anzac Day, as assuredly they would, should wo tell them of the thousands maimed and killed, of the millions of money wasted and of the country torn and laid waste? Should wo tell them that war must be and that the best of the race must perish in its toils? Bather should we tell them that those men who took up their cross and carried it did not lose their lives, thereby but gained them. The race continued, because always there were men and women willing to pay the price for life. The Bcv. G. T. Brown presided at the service and had with him the Bov. Canon Woodward, Bov. J. B. Ncild (Anglican), Pastor C. S. Matthews (Baptist), Pastor C. G-. H. By croft (Congregational) and the Bcv. J. D. McArthur (Methodist). The service was opened with the Matronal Anthem followed by a Scripturo reading by Pastor Matthews. The prayer for the King’s Majesty and special Anzac Day prayers were recited by Canon Woodward. Appropriate hymns w r ero sung and the service closed with the Benediction.

WEST END SCHOOL. At the West End School, Canon C. Y. Woodward spoke to tho children of the meaning of the day and services. The war and its deeds, to their minds, day simply in the relating of it from time to time. The vicar told tho young gathering of the call to service before the Gallipoli campaign, of the young men who unhesitatingly went forth to duty and of the mobilisation of troops in aL parts of tho country. These brave hearts were set a task considered in military circles as well-nigh impossible.

Anzac Day was a sacred occasion for the commemoration of all who made the supreme sacrifice t.o bo nearer God. In concluding bis talk the vicar delineated tho duty of the rising generation and said he felt sure that, if they remembered and kopt Anzac Day, they would always uphold what was righteous and truthful.' RUSSELL STREET REMEMBERS. Major J. Mewett addressed the pupils at the Bussell street school during the morning, members of the committee and parents also being present to hear a brief but interesting account of the meaning of Anzac Day and the events leading up to that memorable event. The introductory service commcncod with an appropriate recitation by Mas ter T. Liddane, “The King,” this being followed by the singing of the National Anthem. The Eev. J. Nigld read from the Scriptures and offered up prayer. The hymn, “Lead, Kindly Light,” was nest and after Miss B. Lay ley had recited “ .Our .Glorious

Dead,” there came a period of silent thought, with the Lord’s Prayer following. Mr. D. Morrison, the chairman of the committee, then introduced the speaker, referring to his war service and explaining tho saeredness of the day. After describing the arrival of the troops in boats, 'the warships, the gunfire and how the hidden Turk wrought devastating toll, the bravery of the troops and the capture of the cliffs, Major Mewett said the losses had been so grpat that the men were withdrawn, instead of endeavouring to penetrate further. On all the other theatres of war, tho soldiers had been splendid while that wonderful band of workers, the doctors and nurses, had rendered yeoman service. The “Last Post” was sounded by Mr. C. Bergersen and the hymn, “O, God Our Help in Ages Pasty” concluded the service. SCOUTS’ AND GUIDES’ SERVICE. Yesterday morning Palmerston North Scout, Girl Guide, and Woolf Cub troops paraded under their officers at the soldiers’ memorial, where a short ceremony was conducted and wreaths laid at the foot of the cenotaph. On parade were the Te Awe Awe Scout troop under Commissioner Dredge, the first Palmerston North company of Girl Guides under the commissioner, Miss Warburton, and-the Te Awe Awe Wolf Cub pack under Mrs. McDonnell. Sister Elliott, at. one time cub mistress of the pack, also accompanied .the .cubs.