SORROWING COMMUNITY

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 13887, 21 June 1938, Page 4

SORROWING COMMUNITY

MOURN MEDICO'S DEATH TRIBUTE TO DR DAWbOX. Unable to pay their respects at the graveside of tneir beloved cioctor, friend and counsellor, Henry Thomas Dawscn, residents of Pahiatua assembled in great torce at the Presbyterian Cnurcn on Sunday mgnt to attend a memorial service conducted by Rev A. A. Armstrong. People of all denominations were present and all listened with rapt attention to the words of the Minister. It was evident that the suggestion to hold a service in which all citizens could express thanks to Almighty God lor ali that had been given the people by the long liie and service <fl the late Dr. Henry Thomas Dawson, nut with a warm response and struck a deeply moving chord in the heart of the community. There were present relatives and friends from many places outside the district, together with prominent settlers from all round this district and representatives of the many organisations and public services with which the late beloved surgeon had been connected during his long years of devoted service. His Worship the Mayor of Pahiatua represented the civic authorities and citizens as a whole, and Dr. H. Paterson and the matron of the hospital, the medical and nursing profession. Officers and members of lodges in regalia wera also present to honour the great memory of the departed. It can be said that no more sincere

and impressive tribute of appreciation and affection has ever been paid to a deceased citizen of this district. Without class or creed distinction, all those present desired to show in seme reverential act, all that the heart and mind seeks to express when profoundly moved in faith and friendship. During the service of Requiem, which was impressively conducted by the Rev. A. A. Armstrong, the following tribute was spoken on behalf of the congregation: The poet has likened life to a many coloured dome of glass, through which the Light of God shines upon the world, in the varied splendour of beneficent service. In referring to the late Dr. Henry Thomas Dawson—so i ecently called lrum our midst—one can truly say that life in him was richly coloured by many ennobling elements which came from the spirit of Him who is the Master light of the ages and the great Saviour of all mankind. The God who gave life tq Henry Thomas Dawson endowed him with unusual qualities of body, n ind and heart. After guiding him across the world to this land, God gave him to Pahiatua especially and to New Zealand in general. The worth and wonder of this gift has been uniolding in his remarkable life during the forty years in which he devoted himself to the service of the people. He developed the highest skill in his profession and practice as physician and surgeon and directed his overflowing ability and energy also irto the civic progress of this town ar.d district. 1 o-uay one can say of some of its most important assets, as was said of Sir Christopher Wren, tLe builder of St. Paul's, “If you seek his monument looiv around you.” It is unnecessary for me to go into all the details of his many great qualities of personality and varied services. The local “Press’- has put that before you with admirable feeling and impressive fact—all 1 can say is that during the last few days I have made it my business to speak to men an I women who have known nim in closest friendship, and the fellowship of Jong years of united service. From one and all came the ■expression, that one could not overstate the affection cherished for the late doctor, or the admiration felt for the long life devoted to that standard of service through which shone so clearly the spirit of that greater Physician who came into this world “not to be ministered unto, •but to minister and to give his life” for t-he good of theirs. The in mister here related a number of incidents in the long service of the late doctor among the early and later settlers of this, in those days, difficult bush country. These we-e illustrative of the great courage, the generosity and sympathy, the magnanimity, the valuation of service above monetary gain, and his love ol the beautiful as displayed in his garden in which he found relief trom the strain and at times sordidness ot his professional duties. Hl9 constant interest in the progress of the town and district is evidenced m the foresight which, through his personal efforts, gave Carnival Park ha a reserve for the benefit of the people for all time. Everyone present in this overflowing congregation could no doubt add testimony to some feature of his vital, cheerful and s.ncere disposition. Reference was also made to those hidden and secret resources which lay within his soul and gave to him a habit of singing the good old hymns of his early training and from which during long arduous night travelling, his mind and spirit found comfort and escape. Without much verbal comment, he went about his high calling, adding by his practical Christian services , and spirit to the building of that Kingdom in which the love of God is most effectively manifested by those who love and serve best their fellows as life calls to duty daj’ by day. “In conclusion,” said Rev. Armstrong. “this crowded congregation, so widely representative in its interests’ territory, is an eloquent demonstration of more than words can express This gathering is a loving tribute which Ynust comfort the bereaved, and be forever a constant witness to that widespread, deep and imperMihabl3 influence and inspiration, lqft ; behind by one of whom it could well be said in the poet's words—‘The elements so blended in hint that all the world might lise and way-—Here is a man.* ’’ The prayers and praise wvre suitable to the solemn occasion .and the

hymn, “Forever with the Lord." was sung as an expression of sympathy and comfort for the bereaved. The text of the sermon which followed was taken from 23 Psalms, 6 verse: “Goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.'’ The message delivered dealt with the trail we leave behind as we pass through life. The imports ant thing in life is not what we meet with on the road. It is what follows as a result of our meeting with it. It is what we. leave behind us in'our tracks this endures to witness to our ti ue character. The Psalmist is careful in his retrospect to note as he reviewed the trail behind him, that it was one marked with the creditable and durable record of goodness and mercy—two of the Divinest qualities of life. This was a monument more to be desir'd than any structure of marble or bronze-, and it is of this the Scriptures most plainly assure us —that the backward review as to how life is being invested, and to what ends it is being devoted, makes the future prospect here and hereafter i ither hopeful or dark. If the trail left behind life has in it the elements that are warranted to ennoble and inspire otli *rs to life’s best ends, then that is deathless splendour and success. Only this gives a sure passport into “the house of the Lord forever.” No greater <*ontribution can be made than to live by these high principles of goodness and mercy. Thus after one passes on one will leave a permanent deposit of influence and example to enrich and elevate all who follow after. Of Him of whom all were especially thinking, it could be truly said that the influence and widespread effect of his devoted spirit and service left all something high to emulate. His monument was of the imperishable stuff of life called “goodness and mercy.” As all came face to faoe with the “inevitable hour,” nothing could bring greater strength and satisfaction. In life's final judgments, to know that after allowing for all ini perfect ions, one had truly and consistently cherished the heart of a healer and had given tike hand of a helper to one’s fellowman. would bring one at the end of the trail to a happy arrival at the close of the day. To leave an example behind, based on the ot the Scriptures, and built out of a personal lecord of service for the good of the community, is the way to everlasting honour. A call to this high and worthwhile ambition came to all out of the wonderful record of the one of whom all were thinking with loving respect and grateful remembrance. Such a life of self devotion To The work of healing and helping others, was a very practical fulfilment of the prayer of Hope which set a challenge before all citizens:

“Lord teach’me to fend another’s woo To hide the fault 1 see. That mercy 1 to others show That mercy, show to me.”

The service concluded with “Abide With Me” and after the Benediction there was suitable music v.b the congregation left the church.