LESSONS FROM THE PLAGUE.

Otautau Standard and Wallace County Chronicle, Volume XIV, Issue 710, 7 January 1919, Page 3

LESSONS FROM THE PLAGUE.

Lamentatious 111, 22 : "It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not." THE PLAGUE AND ITS LESSONS. (Sermon delivered by R*v. A. Macdonald m the Presbyterian Church, Otautau, on Sabbath evening, 22nd December, 1918.) When tho epidemic was raging and carrying off so many the words of our text passed often through my mind. • We reassemble this Sabbath after. having the church closed for five Sabbaths on account of the epidemic that has raged. In former years a flood m the townsliip sometimes caused the church to be closed for a Sabbath, but this is the first timo m my experience that church services have been stopped for co prolonged a, period. lam glad to know many felt the want of the Sabbat- services. WAR AND PLAGUE. No event that has happened has so stirred and appalled tho people of this country as the recent plague. The war was far away and did not stir us to the same extent as the plague, because it entered our homes and sometimes took away our dearest. Scripture links wars and plagues together. 'Tor nation shall rise against nation, and. Kingdom against Kingdom, and there shall be famines and pestilences m divers places." In these words we have three things linked together — wars, famines, and pestilences. We can understand why famine follows war. Take Russia, Belgium, north of France, or .any country m which the war has raged, and you find a barren waste. The war uses up everything, thero must come* a famine. Another thing that follows war ia pestilence. Wo have had that. And we are told tho pestilence is not to be confined to ono country but to spread to many. •'There will be famines and pestilences m divers places." That is what has happened The plague haa spread throughout Spam, Germany, Britain, U.SA., South Africa, India and New. Zealand. Wo hp.Vo bad our great flood, we have had our great war, and now we have had our great plague. Such an event is worthy of our attention this evening. As one who has done what he could whilst it raged, I will £i* c you some impressions; I noted down as the days passed by. PLAGUE. I speak of tho epidemic as v plague. I think that is what it was. We read of plagues m Bible times. Under Pharoah, Egypt 'was smitten with plague after plague that he might let tho people go. The last plague was the death of the firstborn. Tho angel of death went forth and clew the eldest m each family. The angel of death also smote the army of Sennacherib', King of Assyria, as they lay encamped around Jerusalem, ready to take it on the morrow. Lord Byron says: — The angel of death spread his wings on the blast, And breathed m the face of the foe as he paseed, And tbe eyes of tho sleepers waxed deadly and chili, As their hearts but once heaved and for ever grew still. David m Es. 91 speaks of "No plague coming nigh our dwelling." So much for plagues m Bible times. In modern times -plagues havo appeared, as for example, the black plague (cholera) the bubonic plague, small-pox, yellow fever, etc. . This epidemic, which smote down so m ..*.' people, somo of therii very suddenly, was of the nature of a plague. TRANSFORMATION SCENE.. When the plague broke out there was a great transformation scene from the gay to the grave, from the joyful to the .sorrowful We had just concluded our rejoicings over the proclamation of peace w_sa the plague overtook us. Tte one day our streets were crowded with people, some marching m. procession and some looking on, the other day the streets were deserted, hotels were closed, places of business almost closed, all meetings forbidden, the hospitals filled to overflowing and auxiliary hospitals rapidly organised. In the country teams were idle, not a furrow waa turned, and cows were turned lqose with calves because of nobody to milk them. UNPREPARED AS IN WAR.' When tbe war broke out we were unprepared for it, and when the. plague broke out we were m the same predicament. Some thought the healthy and well-fed condition of our people would protect us against its ravages and consequently we made no preparations for it and took no special precautions against it. Strange, it was the strong and well-fed that were smitten most of all. Our soldiers faced death m the trenches, our share was to face death at home. Those who were unfit to go to the front were sometimes seized at home. SLUMS. It has been asserted that the plague was due to the shim areas m our cities. The Health Authorities, m their explorations, got great revelations of the existence of slum areas and the prevalence of grossly insanitary conditions m certain parts of our cities. In these insanitary houses, grouped together, the disease was fostered and multitudes died. . If our municipal authorities had kept our cities clean the pestilence would not have wrought such iavoc. DEATH ROLL. The Great War, m four years, claimed many victims, the Great, Plague m four weeks claimed as many if not more. During the War. we were furnished with columns of the wounded and slain, during the Plague we were furnished witii columns of death notices. In, each of the four cities the death rate was heavy, especially m Auckland. In every town, township, and country district there was also a heavy deathrate. When we deduct the -fatal cases that came from outside districts, the death rate m Otautau was very low, seven adults and ono child. Fbr about a fortnight funerals were of frequent occurrence. Twice we had three funerals per day, twice we had two funerals per day, and often one funeral per day. Themost of the deaths occurred so closely together that the undertaker could not make finished coffins. Many of the coffins were made of plain boards (unmounted) and they were taken to the cemetery m a spring dray. That reminds one of the cart that went through the streets .of London m the plague m 1665. On one accaaion three plain coffins were taken m the same dray and buried one after the other m the three different parts of the cemetery — Presbyterian, Roman Catholic and Anglican ; and I officiated at each of these three burials. I officiated at most of the funerals. I arrived one day at the cemetery when the grave of a Roman Catholic mother -was newly filled m and asked the grave-digger, "'Who officiated?" He said, "Nobody. The priest came an ' hour before the funeral, blessed the grave, sod left for Riverton to conduct a funeral." On receiving such a reply, I said, "Don't bury any one again without the burial service being conducted. I will bo here at every funeral and treat all alike." That was what took place m the war. When the dead came to be buried, if a Roman Catholic Chaplain were near, ho conducted the burial service, if a Presbyterian were »»a* he acted, if an Anglican he ackd, il a

Methodist he acted. Extraordinary circumstances demand extraordinary measures'. Having dealt with the Plague, let us now . notice some lessons we may learn. I.— HEALTHY CLIMATE. The Health authorities removed all restrictions from Otago and Southland on Saturday, December 14, thus giving them $c privilege to hold public meetings, except Otautau, where the restrictions were continued for well-uigh a week longer. 9ome might conclude that, as Otautau alone was kept under further restrictions, it was a veity unhealthy > place and had had the plague m a very severe degree. Not so. I have stated the number of deaths m Otautau was very low, only eight. Besides Otautau was the last place to be visited by the disease, it had been everywhere m the dominion before that. If our climate did not keep the plague away, it did all it could to do so. . Instead, therefore, of a. stigma being attached to Otautau by the further week's restrictions it was a compliment to its exoellent climate. H.— A PROBLEM SOLVED. The plague has solved one. problem m regard to billets for returned soldiers. During the. war the Government thought one of the great problems that would require to be faced when the war ended would be, what will be done with the men When they return? We must organise and find billete for them. The Government will not have such difficulty with that problem. The plague has left so many vacancies that all returned men will easily get work. We have been greatly undermanned m this dominion during the war. The sooner our soldiers return to help us the better. IH.— EARTHLY THINGS OF LITTLE VALUE WHEN FACING DEATH. Borne who took ill got a shock when they thought they might die and have to leave all. Several well-to-do men thought, with the Rich Fool, they were rich ahd had need of nothing. When they looked death m * the face they realised how little value any--1 thing earthly was. They learned the mean- ' ing of the question, "What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole. world and lose : his own soul?" They learned that "a man's life consisteth not m the abundance of the r things he possessed. It dawned on them ! what true riches are — namely, to be rich to- ; ward God.. 1 IV.— SELF-SACRIFICES AND HELPERS. After the first few days of the plague several of • our best helpers took it, and '■ .there was a shortage. Others cafnc for- : ward aud took their places. Several who , did not nurso m the auxiliary hospital did '■' their bit by attending patients m their own homes and m other ways rendering assistance. This took place all over the dominion. Christian men and women rose to the occasion and grasped eagerly at the privilege of manifesting the spirit of Christ who went about continually doing good. The self-sacrificing efforts of many workers is beyond all praise. V.—NO RESPECTER OF PERSONS, Some things are no respecters of persons, for example a flood or a plague. The Great Flood invaded every house on the liver flat. "We think we own our firesides, but no,, a flood can invade them. As with a flood 60 with this plague which has invaded thia dominion, it haa had no respect of persons: doctors as well as nurses, soldiers m camp as well as civilians at home, the 6trong aa well as th*e weak, old and yoiing, rich and poor, all have falleh victims. It has also, as far as'it has gone, been no respecter, of nations. This same plague visited Europe and especially Spain and Germany, it next visited Britain, U.S.A., South Africa, India, and it has visited this dominion. It may visit other nations as well. As yet some people have escaped. We wonder why any have escaped. One would think there had been respect " of persons. But no. Take cutting grass. You put a man on tb cut grass and he may have a . sharp scythe, but some stalks will be left standing. So with an epidemic that is cutting down so many, some will escape the scythe of deatl*.. In battle God protects some from bullets, m a plague God protects some from microbes. They are everywhere, but God can protect us. •VI.— THE POWER OF GOD. Many things are classed as "An act of God," and man is helpless. A great flood will come, a severe winter (last winter) .or an epidemic, apd what can- maja. do ? He must submit. Take the severe winter m France, when millions of soldiers wore there, they had practically to cease operations. Same with a great flood, man is belpless. Same with an epidemic. Nothing but the

power of God cau save us. The plague despised all medicine, death raged iv every corner, and had it gone on a few weeks more it would have cleared the towns of every human being. "It is of the Lord's mercies we are not consumed because His compassions fail not." Some say, "The way it was handled had to do with its removal." Not so. God sent it and if He had not taken it way it would be raging yet and man powerless. God sdtt the plague and He haa removed it. "The Lord God omnipotent reignetb." VII.— GOD'S CORRECTION. Some look on' the plague as a judgment from God, we look on it us a correction. It was sent as a correction because of our frivolity and violation of God's laws. Take for example, the scenes of drunkenness pn peace day. During the war, because of enhanced prices, many worshipped pleasure. On ordinary occasions, how the Sabbath Day is broken. The streets of large towns are noisy with Sabbath-breaking, but during the plague, by compulsion, they were quies. People were loving-money and were indifferent to God's house. Through the plague God was speaking to us m chastening tones. He sent the plague as a correction. We needed it, frivolity and sin were so prevalent. VIII.— PRAYER, ITS VALUE. The plague made many fall. back on the value of prayer. Hopeless cases recovered m answer to prayer. We must believe m tbe power of prayer to conquer disease. "The prayer of faith shall save the sick and the Lord shall raise him lip." When David was heavily afflicted he said: 'The sorrows of death compassed me and. the pains of hell got hold on me, I found trouble and sorrow. Then called I upon the name of the Lord. Q Lord, I beseech Thee, deliver my soul." God answered that prayer, for, m a verse or two further on, he says, "Thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears and my feet from falling. I wifl walk before tlie Lord m the land of the livipg." May those spared m answer to prayer, be like the Psalmist, show their gratitude by living to the praise of God. - IX.^OME NEEDED STEADYING. During the plague some people got ont of hand, they needed steadying. They banked up m their minds nothing but blapk clouds that they could see nothing beyond-. Take a N wife speaking of her home, she would say, If my husband takes it, and if I take it, what will we do? People frequently began to despair, many hearts failed them for fear. That's work for a Minister. Distress is three kinds: bodily, mental, spiritual. A doctor can minister to the body, and it is the province of a Minister to attend to the' miud and soul. When people are m fear or iv despair, it is for him to cheer and comfort them. I know, towards the end of the plague, I felt exhausted m body and m mind. The mental strain of the sights I had seen and the sori rowing ones I had spoken to began to tell a tale on my own mind. For one or two days I kept away from seeing people till I felt better. It was a Gethaemone experience to me- Christ, after His agony m Gethseniane, felt weak and angels were sent to strengthen Him. After mental agony we need Heavenly strength. X.— COMFORT FOR THE SORROWFUL. If you have been bereft of a loved one here is your comfort, he or she is m the keeping of Jesus Christ,.- "He is Lord both of the dead and the living." , "He has the keys of hell ancl Df death." ,f Whe- I ther we live we live unto the Lord, whether we die we die unto the Lord, that living or dying we are the Lord's." We are m the .keeping of Jesus Christ while we are here and when we die we are m the keeping of the same* Lord. It is impossible for us to be m better hands.