CHURCH REFERENCES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3713, 12 May 1925, Page 23

CHURCH REFERENCES.

FIRST CHURCH. During the evening service at First Church the Rev. Dr E. N. Meriington announced the sad news of the passing of Jdr Massey. He said that the congregation and the whole community would feel great regret, although the news was not unexpected, and deep sympathy with the widow and family of the late Prime Minister. Death always produced a feeling of solemnity, and in this instance that emotion was deepened by the fact that Mr Massey died while holding the highest office within the gift of his fellow-citizens. He had been the national leader throughout the period of the war and the peace, up to that moment; and he was the one leader, 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 won the respect of all parties, and was highly esteemed in Australia and throughout the Empire. He had been the man for the times in which he lived, when the destinies of his country and the whole world were tried bihe greatest war in history. All that wa? noblest in his official and private life would remain to inspire the young men of to-day with higher ideals of public spirit and service, and no better tribute could be 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, and at the conclusion of the service the organist. 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. Paid’9 Cathedral on Sunday evening the Rev. Canon Nevill 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 nrf 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 Mom” followed the sermon, and at its conclusion the Dead March in “Saul” •'vas played by Mr E. Heywood, the organist. ST. JOSEPH’S CATHEDRAL. The Very Rev. Father James O’Neill, parish priest of Waikiwi, Southland, who has just returned from a holiday tour abroad, occupied the pulpit at St. Joseph’s Cathedral at vespers on Sunday evening. Prefacing his sermon with a feeling reference to the death of Mr Massey, Father O’Neill auid 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 stronuous life, and the legislation he initiated in this country mado 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 had 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 of that was made effective by the exortions of the Prime Minister, aided by most efficient helpers, had been acknowledged on all hands. At a function in 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 fellow-creaturo in pain, end could he (Father O’Neill) not say that, though thev differed entirely from Mr Massey’s politics, as Christians they oould say they 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 the Rev. W. Walker announced the death of the Prim* 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 be a great loss to his country. The speakei made special leferenoe to Mr Massey’s services during tho war period and stated that his death meant the passing out of office of the last of the war Prime Ministers. A deep hush rested upon the congregation a& 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 announces that a special memorial service would be 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* haa served this dominion. At such a time as this all freed themselves from political prejudices and 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 Jiie inspiration had been duty and his desire the welfare of all classes, and he had noi been limited in his outlook nor narrow in his sympathies, for he 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 New Zealanders and prayed that those who were bereaved might be comforted of God. HANOVER STREET BAPTIST. The Rev. Knowles Kempton referred to Mr Massey’s lengthy and useful career, his loyalty, and his blameless life. Mr Massey, Ihe speaker said, was a man of truly Christian spirit. The congregation then sang “For ever with the Lord.” KNOX. The Rev. Tulloch Yuille, at Knox Church, in announcing the death of Mr Massey, said that the people now silenced all political strife ana remembered that not only the chief citizen of the dominion, but a husband and father greatly loved had passed away. They joined in commending his family to the comfort of God. ALL SAINTS*. At All Saints’ Church Dean Fitchett stated that the country had suffered a national calamity and day by day for weeks past thev 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 he 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 ho was sure that when future historians made a iudg ment on Mr Massey’s work they would say he wa9 a man who had ably served bis country and Empire. ST. MATTHEW’S. The Rev. W. A. Hamblett said that Mr Massey had proved a strong leader. It could be truly said of him that a “piince and a groat 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 thi9 young nation through many years and through tho Great War, and had spent his whole energy in devotion to our country and Empire. Tbo congre gation, as a tribute to his memory and at a token of sympathy with his loved ones, sang the hymn “Let Saint 9 on Earth in Concert Sing with Those Whose Work i* Done.’’ RAVENSBOURNE CONGREGATIONAL. A resolution of sympathy with Mis Massey and the> family of the late Prime Minister was passed at the Ravensbourue Congregational Church.