THE LATE CAPTAIN ROGERS.

North Otago Times, Volume CV, Issue 13956, 13 August 1917, Page 2

THE LATE CAPTAIN ROGERS.

|.t 4'3klKMOlii!AL'. SHBT.IOK -AT'.-ST. /. -J' I" ■'_"'-'•■ .■'■". -"LUKE'ft ■.. ;.\. ..;..: ' A : ' l&Vgety attended memdrial, service to tlie late Tftpiporafy-CiaptiuH Jesse ■Bodgtts was -held ill St.-Liiko'siihtirch yesterday morning.. At lo.liiJ the' active and lißiiordfy infimbers of the. OamitfU Krc Brigade, under Superintendent James,; with returned soldiers and members of the Oamaru Boating Club, assembled at the Monument and marched to the church, headed by ihc Tenth Regiment Baud. The. church was crowded, every seat being occupied The Veil. Ahihdeiicdii IHlsseil coll--1 diletlkl 'tii(! service, wiiieh was of a VB'ry impressive nature, and- preached from Rev.'ii., 10: "Be thou' faithful unto death." The world, said the preacher, had taken the symbol of the Cross to represent., honourable selfflee and duty, ami It was the cross of .honour that the late Captain Rodgers had gained on the battlefield. Ho did not seek the easy path, ami scorned the difficulties Of suffering, As they were gathered there they thought of Captain

Rodgcrs, whoicnaine would' be spoken with reverence, honour, ami affection. The noble deeds that he had done were simply the outcome ojf the clean and manly ideals. The lazy life, with its unhealthy atmosphere, did no' attract him, but ho gloried in the strenuous contest on the football field, in the water, and in lire lighting, lie was faithful first of all as a son, and as a man who honoured his parents was one of the manliest of, men. His mother had told him (the speaker) how he had never missed writing home once in each week. He was also faithful asa citizen, and had looked about him in his endeavour to help" his fellow townspeople, and saw in the Fire Brigade an opportuiiiiy to render good and valuable service. Jl had appealed to him, and this was the best way to honour Clod's command, lie also tool; his part' on the football field, and it was, this comradeship I wit endeared him as a- faithful friend. It,-was well known he had stuck to his comrade, Donald Brown, and had been instrumental in making known the gallant deed that earned for Sergeant Brown the Victoria Cross. These and other noble actions and ■ deeds were the means of gaining him the Military Medal and Military Cross, ami all felt confident that when the news arrives of how he met his deiuh it would be shown'that he fell worthily. It was a,cause for ihankulness that he was faithful unto death. Life was all the sweeter that he lived; death was all the brighter that he died; and heaven was all the happier that he was there, What was this lesson for all? asked the preacher. Were these sacrifices and noble deeds !o pass with fleeting,emotion unheeded by those who ren/aincd at home to be forgotten so soon.' What did those brave men go out to suffer and to die for' It was' for freedom and for honour that- they fought, and ' it was for those who were there to see that what was fought and died for on ihe battlefield must not be forgotten at ' home. Be thou faithful unto death • was a message for each ami all, I At the conclusion of the service, and , after the National Anthem had been ■ ' sung, the ''Dead. March'' in Paul was • I played by Hie urgaui-t Mr !•'. (.'. Hurry, j.Four members of the band also played ■ j the • -Last Post." ;| Al'ler lli.e service the various..umU : i re-assembled :imt marched buck -to the i' Monument, where they were dismissed.