CHURCH REFERENCES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19476, 11 May 1925, Page 9

CHURCH REFERENCES.

FIRST CHURCH. During the service at First Church last night the Rev. Dr B. N. Morrington announced the sad news of the passing ot Mr Massey. He said that the congregation and the whole community would feel great regret, although the nows was not unexpected, and deep sympathy pvith widow and family of the late Prime Minister. Death always produced a feeling ot solemnity, and in this instances that emotion was deepened by the fact that Mr Massey died while holding the highest office within the gift of his fellow-citizens. Ho had been the national leader throughout the period of the war and the peace, up to that moment; and he was the one loader, probably, in the world who had continued in office throughout the whole decade while the political firmament of the Empire and other countries was in a state of change. He was a true man—openminded to reform, but zealous for the conservation of the values of loyalty, righteousness. and progress. He had n re ; spect of all parties, and was highly estemied in Australia and throughout the Empire. Ho had been the man for the. tunes m which ho lived, when the destinies of ms country and the whole world tried b" the greatest war in history. All. that was noblest in his official and private life would remain to inspire the young men to-day with higher ideals of public spirit and service, and no better tribute could b paid to the late Mr Massey than the emulation of his many fine qualities of loyalty, strength of character, and devotion to the interests of the dominion and the Empire. Special prayer was then offered, ana. at the conclusion of the service the organis , Dr Y. E. Galway, played with exquisite feeling and impressiveness the Dead March in “Saul.” the large congregation standing in respectful silence. ST. PAUL’S CATHEDRAL. At St. Paul’s Cathedral last evening the Rev. Canon Ncvill spoke at the conclusion of the sermon of Mr Massey’s unrivalled services to the country, both during the war and the peace years which intervened before his death. Mr Massey had stood out as not only a prominent statesman of New Zealand, but also of the Empire. All parties bore testimony to his unrivalled capacity, his courage, and the capable manner in which he had carried out his duties. The hymn “On the Resurrection Morn followed the sermon, and at its conclusion the Dead March in “Saul” was played by Mr E. Hoywood, the organist. ST. JOSEPH’S CATHEDRAL. The Very Rev. Father 'James O’Neill, parisn priest of Waikiwi, Southland, who uaa just returned from a holiday tour abroad, occupied the pulpit at St; Joseph’s Cathedral at vespers last evening. Prefacing his sermon with a. feeling reference to the death of Mr Massey. Rather O’Neill aaid he had been in Now Zealand long enough to have noticed the careers of a number of Prime , Ministers. He remembered well the sensation created by the tragically sudden death of Mr Seddon, His was a strenuous life, and the legislation he initiated in this country made New Zealand known throughout the world as it was never known before. The highest testimony to that legislation was the manner in which it was emulated in other countries. When Mr Seddon died his political opponnets forgot all their differences and joined in a tribute of sincere respect to the man who bad worked *so earnestly and so successfully for the people of the dominion. Mr Massey had a much more strenuous time, for the Great War that threw the world into a state of excitement occurred whilst he held office. New Zealand then became known more intimately by reason of the splendid contribution to the ending of that war’ supplied by her sons. How much ot that was made effective by the exertions of the Prime Minister, aided by most efficient helpers, had been acknowledged on all hands: At a function m Southland lately a great statesman who was not in the same camp with Mr Massey said it was a poor creature who could not sympathise with a follow-creature in pain and could he (Father O’Neill) not say ’that, though they differed entirely from Mr Massey’s politics, as Christians they could say th©y trust that a. merciful Providence had dealt leniently with one who worked so whole-heartedly for his country’s welfare. CENTRAL MISSION. At the commencement of the evening service at the Methodist Central Mission die Rev W. Walker announced the death of j the Prime Minister. Reference was made to the great service which he had been privileged to lender to the dominion and to the Empire. His passing would bo a great Jose to his country. The speaker made special reference to Mr Massey’s services during tho war period *md stated that his death meant the passing out of oflree of the last of the war Prime Ministers. A deep hush rested upon the congregation as the preacher commended the bereaved family and the dominion in prayer to God. Mr Charles A Martin played the organ solo, “Homeland,” and the hymn “Lead, Kindly light” was sung. It was announced that a special memorial service would bo held next Sunday evening. MORAY PLACE* CONGREGATIONAL. At the Moray Place Congregational Church the ReV. W. Saunders, when announcing the death of Mr Massey, referred to the many years during which he had served this dominion. At such a time as tills all freed themselves from political prejudices ami acknowledged that the country had lost a true leader. Mr Massey had been a public man governed by his conscience and, splendidly free from self-seeking His inspiration had been duty and his desire the welfare of all classes, and ho had not been limited in his outlook nor narrow in his sympathies, for ho saw the Empire beyond the dominion and the world beyond the Empire. As a congregation they shared the sense of loss and of sorrow with all Now Zoalanuors and prayed that those who were bereaved might be comforted of God. HANOVER STREET BAPTIST. The Rev. Knowles Kompton referred to Mr Massey’s lengthy and useful career, his loyalty, and his blamohas life. Mr Ma.-soy, the speaker said, was a man of truly Christian spirit. The congregation then sang “For oven' with the Lord.”

KNOX. The Rev. Tulloch Tuille, at Knox CSnach, in_ announcing the death of Mr Massey", said that the people now silenced all political strife and remembered that not only the chief citizen of the dominion, but a husband and father greatly loved bad passed away. They joined in commending his family to the comfort of God.

ALL SAINTS’. At All Saints’ Church Dean Fitcbstt stated that the country had suffered a national calamity and day by day for weeks past they had watched with anxiety the Wellington telegram. They feli that they were watching- by a sick bed and lately by a bed of death. All questions of politics apart, to-day all organs of public opinion would say with one voice and truly that we had lost a great public servant who had discharged the duties of his high office with unblemished integrity, and lie had probably shortened his life by devotion to duty.

ST. ANDREW’S. . When the news of the Prime Minister’s death was received at St. Andrew’s Church the Rev. Hector Maclean said he was sure that when future historians made a judgment on Mr Massey’s work they would say ho was a man who had ably served his country and Empire. '

ST. MATTHEW’S. The Rev. W. A. Hamblett said that Mr Massey had proved a strong leader. It could bo truly said of him that a “piincc and a great leader had fallen this day.” They would not appreciate his greatness until in later years they reviewed his long service. He had guided the destinies of this young nation through, many years and through the Great War, and had spent his whole energy in devotion to our country and 'Empire. Tbo oongre* gation, as a tribute to his memory and as a token of sympathy with his loved ones, sang the hymn *‘Let Somts on Earth in. Concert Sing with Those Whoso Work is Done.”

RAVENSBOURNE CONGREGATIONAL. A resolution of sympathy with Mrs Massey and the family of the late Prime Minister was passed lit the Raven sbourua Congregational Church.