LATE MR CHARLES BEGG

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17375, 24 July 1918, Page 3

LATE MR CHARLES BEGG

Speaking at St. Michael's Church, Christchurch, on Sunday, the vicar said:—"As a congregation we suffered a terrible blow last week. Charles Dowie Begg, our organist, was killed in a collision while riding his motor cycle. Personally, i feel it is a, heavy loss, for he was ever ready to do anything I wished, and there\was never at any tune- a disagreement between us. The choir will 'miss him. He took great pains with the boys and the adult members. His heart was plainly in his work. It seemed to me that he was an electrical engineer to get a living, but that ho was a musician to keep his soul alive. How he improved during the year in which he waa with us you all know, lie entered into the ways and the music of the church with great earnestness and ability. His musio became more and more reverent and devotional. We shall miss him very much. "We feel great sympathy for his wife and child. During this service we bless God's holy name for all His servants departed this life, in His faith and fear, and we ask for grace that we may follow their good examples. Kindness and gentleness were very shining characteristics of our clear friend. I never heard him , say an unkind thing, and I never eaw his accustomed gentleness of manner give way to roughness. Now, kindness of speech is not too common in. Christchurch, and as I have often said, the war will make us harder and coarser and more callous unless we are on our guard. Therefore, perhaps our intention this morning, as we offer the Holy Sacrifice, could not be better than this—that we may have more of the kindness of speech and gentleness of manner of the servant of God now departedCharles Dowie Begg."