MEMORIAL GIFT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23170, 17 October 1938, Page 15

MEMORIAL GIFT

LATE MISS HORTON DEDICATION SERVICE EXAMPLE OF LIFE'S WORK TRIBUTE BY ARCHBISHOP With the richness of its brilliant colouring by sunlight, the memorial window to the late Miss Mina Tait Horton in St. Aidan's Church, Remuera, was dedicated by Archbishop Averill yesterday morning in the presence of a large congregation. At the opening of the service the vicar, Canon R. L. Connolly, on behalf of the church wardens, Mr. K. V. Burcher and Mr. E. A. Reid, x presented to the archbishop the petition from the parish asking him to dedicate the memorial. read the faculty authorising the erection of the memorial, and the archbishop then offered the prayers of dedication, setting the window apart "to the glory of God and in loving memory of His servant, Mina Tait Horton." The service was conducted by Canon Connolly, and Archdeacon W. J. Simkin read the lessons. The sermon preached by the archbishop was on the answer given by Christ to the lawyer's question, "Which is the greatest CommandmentP" "Her life expressed itself in devotion to God and loving interest in her neighbours' welfare," he said in referring to the late Miss Horton. They were grateful to the donors of this beautiful new east window. It was a little bit out of the ordinary, perhaps, but that was a very good thing. Christianity Exemplified

They were grateful to the designers and workers who made this work of art, and they were grateful to the local architects and workers who had made an excellent job at this end; but they were still more grateful to the gracious lady in whose memory the window was erected. "I venture to think," the archbishop said, "that her life exemplified the fundamental Christian doctrine of which I have been speaking—love to God and love to our neighbour because of our neighbour's relationship to God. Her life was witness to her belief that there is something greater and nobler in life than self-interest; and she will always be lovingly remembered in this parish for her great interest in the young and for her generosity in encouraging the training of the young in the faith and the fear of God. "It is most fitting that the main object of this memorial window should

be" the attitude of Christ to the Children. 'Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not; for of such is the Kingdom of God. And He took them up in His arms and blessed them.' " The Archbishop said that on more than one occasion • Christ pointed out to His followers that the child-like spirit was the only condition on which men and women could enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. Witness to Generations "This window," he continued, "will be a witness to generations of St. Aidan's congregations, not only in this present structure, but in the future of St. Aidan's that some time must supercede this building, that the humble, simple, trusting, child-like spirit is the only entrance into the Kingdom of God; and that the only true attitude of God to His world is that portrait of Jesus in His attitude to the children. The children loved and trusted Jesus, and therefore did not hesitate to approach Him and abide with Him. "I * hope when Auckland's new cathedral is built that there will be in it a children's corner or chapel which will bear constant witness to the same fundamental truth and be a constant reminder of the thoughtfulness and generosity of Miss Horton, who has given the real impetus to the building of the cathedral, and by so doing has exemplified love for God and love for her neighbour. I welcome this memorial to one whose life and ideals acted as leaven in Auckland society, and who for all time has left behind an honoured name and a noble record of unselfish service.'.' The Power ol Goodness In spite of the fact that the world's normal estimate of greatness and usefulness was usually confined to those who took a prominent part in the world or in social affairs, the highest ideal of service, according to the mind of Christ, was associated with simple goodness. They were emphasising a foundation Christian truth when tbey erected their memorials to the unobtrusive good and so honoured the memories of those who made a real contribution to the power for good in the world, which wag the best antidote to the powers of disintegration and license which were so common. Simple goodness was, perhaps, the greatest creative force in the world to-day. The memorial to Miss Horton. which was greatly admired by those who saw it yesterday, is the gift of her three surviving brothers. Sir Henry Horton and Messrs. Robert and Edwin Horton.