TOC H

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21772, 11 October 1932, Page 10

TOC H

BIRTHDAY FESTIVAL CELEBRATION BY DUNEDIN BRANCH. With the departure yesterday morning padre "Bobs" Ford and Harry Chappell was brought to a close a series of memorable event* in the life of Toe ’ \ Dunedin. During their stay in Dunedin these two ambassadors of Toe H. did much to strengthen the bonds of fellowship and y comradeship which Bind the Toe H. fami* lias throughout the whole world, and they left behind them a personal impression in the hearts of members in Dunedin which will never be effaced. Most appropriately the visit of these envoys coincided with the Toe H. birthday festival held m St. Paul's Cathedral bn Sunday evening and \ with a ceremony x©f rededications of members which marked the culmination of a v training month carried out by the branch, w , On Saturday night this ceremony of rededication, simple yet sincere and impressive; was carried out in the Toe H. rooms. Padre Ford, before conducting the cere- •’ mony of “tight” which forms part of all Toe H. meetings, read to the members of the Dunedin branch the “Main Resolution ” of' Toe H. On the word “ Light " the room was plunged into darkness, and in the silence, with the semi-circle of members standing round their lamp, the ; padre commencea the words of the ceremony. During the silence each member in turn quietly and reverently stepped ! forward and in the glow of the single flame signed his name, rededicating himself i to the work of Toe H. When all ' had signed, the padre completed the words, of the ceremony, “Let your light so slime before men that they may see your good V works,” and the members joined in with the final words, “And glorify Our Father Which is in Heaven." . Thus, was this little, ceremony earned out, occupying little time, yet expressing all thoss fine and practical ideals for which Toe H stands. On the Sunday evening a large congregation gathered in St, Paul’s Cathedral to take part in a service to mark v the third birthday of Toe Has a branch, the Dunedin lamps having been lit by the patron of Toe H (the Prince of Wales) ia 1929. At a quarter past 8 the Toe H members, about 40 strong, entered the cathedral by the centre aisle, following ’ the Dunedin lamp and the Invercargill group rushlight, borne by members, to take their places in the choir. - The service commenced with the singing of a Toe H hymn, “Come, Kindred, Upatand,” the words of which were written by Padre Clayton. Padre J. J. Cairney and Padre Lionel Richards, the branch padres, took the prayers during the service. ■ Padre Ford delivered an inspiring ad- - dress to the members, reminding them of the need for unselfish service in their lives. He said that Toe H had been trusted and must be worthy of that trust. He charged Toe H in Dunedin and Inver- < cargill to carry on the work which had been given them and to live the true Christian life of fellowship and service. Following the Prayer of Benediction repeated by the members, the congregation rose for the climax of the service. , “ Light,” a ceremony which must have made a profound and lasting impression oh all present. On the word “Light” the cathedral was plunged into darkness, save for the lights of lamp and rushlight, ■<!From these two flames were kindled the ,» tapers held by each member of Toe H. In complete stillness the words of " Light ” were spoken by Colonel A. S. Falconer: With proud thanksgiving' Let us remember our elder brothers. They shall grow not old, as we that are t:-V>' left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn, At the going down of the sun and In the morning we will remember themThere followed a minute’s complete silence while the thoughts of all turned to those ' . who by their sacrifice first lit the lamps ' of Toe H—a silence broken at last by ... the final words;—“Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify Our Father Which is in Heaven,” Followed a prayer, the word “ Light,” and the lights of the cathedral were again switched on, the Toe H lights being extinguished. The congregation rose to the hymn * Fight the Good Fight,” and the service was brought to a close with the pronouncement of the blessing, the congregation remaining seated while the Too H party retired.