“LONDON, MOTHER OF MERCHANTS”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23353, 19 November 1937, Page 13

“LONDON, MOTHER OF MERCHANTS”

TO THE EDITOR

Sir,—All truly patriotic New Zealanders must have been very pleased to read the local in Tuesday’s Daily Times under the above title. Here is' an extract from it: “At the Church of All Hallows, Barking-by-the-Tower, the annual service of the Port of London was held recently. This is at-; tended chiefly by seafaring men. Dur-, ing the service the ‘bidding’ prayer; is recited, and contains this striking passage: ' Therefore, I bid your prayers for this old mart of nations, the harvest of- whose river is her revenue, that in her port be praise and the con-» tinued fame of honesty, a city’s crowning honour. You shall pray for London. mother of merchants. . . .’ ” London, the chief city of our Empire, got her honesty from the most honest Book in the world, the Holy Bible. It used to be said that an. Englishman's word was as good as his bond —there is nothing two-faced or underhand about a true Englishman—or we might say one who is truly British. We know that a Book that makes men true must itself be true. The Bible shows up all that is false—from first to last—from its beginning to its end. It is, therefore, transparent through and through., Nothing is ever misrepresented in itspages because it is “impossible for, God to lie.” . ~ ! - The word “honest" means upright; just; true; sincere; free from fraud or', deceit; faithful. It also has several, other meanings, among them being the', word honourable. No wonder, then, that a true Englishman is still trusted and feared by all frauds and hypocrites! i When our nation has honoured the ! Bible God has always blessed us, but when this Book has been neglected and despised and dishonoured and criticised our nation has suffered at home and abroad.

A charge to keep we have because/ the Bible is our great heritage. Anything and everything that is worth while in our nation we owe to the Bible

We sailed wherever ship could sail,, We founded many a mighty State; Pray God our greatness may not fail' Through craven fears of being great, —I am, etc., Maran-atha.