THE GARLAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 3832, 23 August 1927, Page 5

THE GARLAND.

FOR THE QUIET HOUR.

No. 730.

By

Duncan Wright, Dunedin.

(For the Otago Witness.) A DISTINGUISHED JUDGE. Headers who came from Scotland will hot readily forget the stately form and figure of the Rev. Dr Norman Macleod, of Glasgow, a favourite chaplain of Queen Victoria. If they heard him recite the words of a well-known hymn, of which lie was the author, they have not forgotten it, I'm sure: Courage brother! do not stumble, Though the path be dark as night; .There’s a star to guide the humble; Trust in God and do the right. Perish policy and cunning, Perish all that fears the light! Whether losing, whether winning, Trust in God and do the right. Trust no party, sect, or faction; But in every word and action Trust in God, and do the right. * * * A builder was one day standing near some of his men, who were busy taking out a foundation for the main walls of a new church. Observing that some of the men were far down, and still digging, he remarked to the builder: “ Why go so deep?” “ Because we haven’t yet got to the solid,” and then he quaintly added: “ Fotin’ weel an’ ye'll theek the better ” — a sentence in Scotch, which, when Englified, means: “ Get a sure foundation, and you will put on the roof with confidence and comfort.” So must it be with man, if he will build up the character of a Christian. He must rest on Christ, the only sure foundation. A DISTINGUISHED JUDGE. Tn a stately volume of 400 pages we find “ The Story of My Life.” The author is Sir Edward Clarke, K.C., Hon. Fellow of King's College, M.P. for the city of London, H.M.’s Solicitor-general, Privy Councillor, etc. He had a brilliant career because early in life he built upon a deep solid foundation. He was a Joyal churchman, and a very pronounced Christian. In the “ Story of My Life ” he quotes the following motto from Tennyson, and for 70 years adorned his high and responsible position with unswerving loyalty to King and country, and to God :— Ah God, for a man with heart, head, and hand, Like some of the simple, great ones, gone for ever and ever by; One still, strong man in a blatant land, Whatever they call him, what care 1, Aristocrat, democrat, aut-ocrat, one Who can rule and dare not lie. And oh for a man to rise in me, That the man I am may cease to be.

Sir Edward’s introductory words are characteristic and arresting: “No one will doubt that vanity, the onl~ universal weakness, has something to do with my desire to leave a record of t b e events of my life.”

Note the modesty of this truly great man and jurist—a man of gigantic intellect, of outstanding forensic powers, and for long years an honoured leader in the Imperial Parliament: “ I do not ask for greatness, but I fain would order all my life i” such a way that everything, if seen, could bear the light—the strongest light that this world holds to shed.” For what is greatness, if the grieving heart Is conscious, far within, of sad disgrace, If which were known the edifice must fall, And gain and reputation turn to dust ? Ah! yes, I care for greatness, but I would A tardier- hope might bring a goodlier fruit. And power witheld, at length be granted, when The arm that wields it cannot swerve from right.

At page 202 of this charming story we read:—

“ I am speaking of my pleasures at Staines, so it would be affectation to omit one of the greatest. That was the building of St. Peter's Church . . . The foundation stone was laid by my wife on July 22, 1893, and Dr Temple, then Bishop of London, came down a year later, and consecrated it. It has been to me and mine a great joy. The total cost was less than £12,000. “I have never spent money which brought back so rich a reward to myself. For 23 years I ’ ve worshipped God in this church, which He gave me the means and the will to erect to His service. For 14 years I have been one of the church wardens, and have read the le ~ at the Sunday services. I hope my experience may lead men whom God has entrusted with wealth to make a thank-offering in this way. They may not of' - have the opportunity which was given t of building a church close to my home, and enjoying its services myself, but wherever they build one they will find great happiness in thinking of its existence and usefulness.” fl wonder if Sir Edward Clarke, K.C., ever, in all his wanderings, came across the well-known and much-love' hymn: I’m not ashamed to own my Lord, Or to defend His cause. Maintain the glory of His cross And honour all His laws. The closing sentences on page 397 of this entrancing volume must not be left out: “I am-a churchman, and I -line to accept any adjective in front of that word ‘ churchman ’ which would describe me as belonging to any one part} in the Church, but tl e Church I belong to is a

Protestant Church. Historically, constitutionally, and doctrinally the Church of England is a Protestant Church. Its Protestantism is the only explanation and the only justification of its no being severed from the body of the Western Church, and I am very anxious that the law of our Church shall be capable of enforcement.” * * * [Beyond and behind all the superlative qualities (and there are many) of this strong and most beautiful character 'here is, the reader will observe, a complete absence of bitterness or narrow parochialism.] c * * * FOUR SHORT PRAYERS. 1. Teach me to live, O God! teach me to live, According to the rule which Thou hast given; Warning, reproof, direction 1 receive From thence, to help me on my way tc heaven. o Teach me to work, O God! teach me to work; There is no time nor place for ease and rest; „ And tliere is happiness for those who work Such as ne’er enters in the idler's breast. 3. Teach me to speak, O God! teach me to speak, Wisely and well, with tact, as best becomes One who has faults and failings, yet doth seek Oft to light up dark hearts with heavenly beams. Fain would I leant, O Lord! that which so much I need, Like Thee to speak the word, suited to every need.

Teach nie to learn. O God! teach me to learn All that I need, in order thus to live; Courage, faith, firmness, gentleness in turn, Just as I need, do Thou be pleased to give; And, that I may not fail in ought to which I turn, Teach me, O God, for Christ’s sake, all 1 need to learn. “TRUST IN GOD. AND DO THE RIGHT.” Hans Joachim von Zieten was one of Frederick the Great’s best generals, and he was never ashamed of his faith. On one occasion he declined an invitation to his royal master s table because on that special day he wished to present himself at the table of his Lord and Master Jesus Christ. It was Sacrament D:.y. The Hext time he appeared at the. palace the King, whose infidel tend ies were well known, made .use some profane expressions about the holy communion of the Lord's Supper; ar the other guests laughed at his remarks. Zieten shook his grey head solemnly, stood up, saluted the King, and then said ,ith a firm voice: “ Your Majesty knows well that in war I have never fear . ny danger, and everywhere have boldly risked my life for you and my country. But there is One above us Who is greater than you and me—greater than all en; He :s the Saviour and Redeemer Who has died also for your Majesty, and has dearly bought us all with Hs precious blood. This Holy One I can never allow to .be mocked or insulted; for on Him reixtse my faith, my comfort, and my hope in life and death. in the power of this faith your brave army has c ura- ->usly fought and conquered. If your Majesty undermine this faith, you undermine at the same time the welfare of the State. I salute your Majesty.” This open confession of his Saviour by Zieten made a powerful impression on the King. He felt and owned that he had been in the wrong in his attack on the faith of his general, and he was not ashamed to acknowledge it. ‘ c gave his hand to the general, his right hand, placing the left on the old man’s shoulder, and said with emotion: “ Oh, happy Zieten! how I wish ! could also believe! I have for you the greatest respect. This shall never happen again.” The King then rose from the table, dismissed the other guests, but said to Zieten: “ Come with me to my cabinet." What passed in that cabinet, with closed doors, between the King and his greater general no one ever knew; but. this we know, that the Lord’s own words are now verified to Zieten : “ Whosoever shall confess me before men, him will I confess before my Father which is in heaven.”

Before the end of this month the dairying industry in the Waikato will be in full swing (says the Auckland Star). On some of the farms the cows are coming in at the rate of three or more a dav Large milking plants, capable of handling 60 or 70 cows, will soon be in action tn dozens of sheds. Already a small begin ning has been made. Pigs which have had a lean time during the worst of the winter months are reaping the benefit of a more plentiful supply of skimmed milk, and a few heifer salves, selected for the future improvement of the herds, begin to thrive in cosy farm sheds. Everywhere the farmers and farm-hands go around in gum boots, and there is more than the usual amount of mud, because of the inclement season. Above such discomfitures, however, stout hearts rise triumphant, and the 1927-28 dairying season is viewed with a surprising amount of optimism.