PADRE BLADIN'S LECTURE

Patea Mail, Volume XLIII, 12 September 1919, Page 3

PADRE BLADIN'S LECTURE

SOME INTERESTING ANECDOTES

During the course of his lecture in Patca, Padre Bladin of the Salvation Army told some stirring talcs of life at the front, some humorous, some pathetic, but all intensely interesting, showing him to be a lecturer of a very high order, and worth going a very long way to hear. It is, in fact, not too much to state that Chaplain-Capt. Bladin stands out head and shoulders above any lecturer on the war or otherwise who has. yet visited Patca. Speaking of the fortitude with which our lads were able to endure suffering he instanced the case of a young New Zealandcr whom he found in bed in the Etaples hospital laughing loudly. On his asking him what was amusing him so much the youngster said, "Look at this, that silly chump of an orderly has, brought me a knife and fork to eat my dinner with," and the youngster held up his arms to the astonished Padre's gaze. Both hands had been 3hot away.

Chaplain Bladin also told of a Gorlon Highlander, a big burly chap who, whilst at Etaples had been converted by the Salvation Army. Before going back to the firing line he went to the Army Hall, and when the question was asked if anyone would like to speak, the big Jock got up and gave a testimony probably for the first time in his life, and it was to-this effect: "Boys, once I thought there was no God. I know now there is a God, and if there's any one of you here that says there isn't, I'll punch his jaw for him." The Chaplain also told of a heroic little Cockney Salvationist who, unfit for military service, did his bit by driving one of the 75 Salvation Army ambulances during the war. A young dude of an officer, thinking to have a laugh at the Cockney's expense, on seeing the S.A. ambulance, said to the Cockney, "Haw, drivah, I suppose you're taking your passengers to Heaven, eh 1 ?" The Cockney replied instantly, "I don't know nothing about about that, sir, but I can swear I've just brought them from the other place." The young officer said no more.

Speaking of the Flanders climate, the Padre said it was one of the most dismal one could wish to experience, very little sunshine and nearly always raining. This caused a Tommy to remark when seeing one of the Indian cavalry and being told he was a sun worshipper, "Oh, then I suppose he's come over here for a bit of a spell from his religion." Another story was told of a lad in the hospital who was thought to have died and his mother was brought to see him. The doctor, a sympathetic soul, said to the mother, '' Don't grieve, your son has passed to a bettor land." To the astoishment of all the sou replied "No I ain't." Tho mother, too overcome to say anything for a moment, at length burst out in her joy "Don't contradict the doctor, George, he knows best ".

Another, story was of a Maori who was suffering from shell-shock, and wanted to return to New Zealand. He told the doctor he was always hearing noises like a band in his cars. On being asked what tune it was that was being played, he said, "Home, Sweet Home." Tho doctor, after examining him, said "You're wrong about the tune. It's the Marseillaise you hear : 'March on, March on to Victory'. Back you go to the firing line." The native looked at the doctor and finally broke out into a grin with the words, "Py korry, doctor, you tc very hard case." . *"

Another story was of a young second lieutenant, a Salvationist by the way, who had performed heroic deeds at Passchaendaelc and who would have, been awarded the Victoria Cross but for the fact that all his superior officers had become casualties. This youngster was given the D.S.O. instead, a signal honour for a second-lieutenant. On returning from Buckingham Palace there were dozens of cameras trained on the heroes as they came down the steps, and this youngster forthwith ducked in amongst the crowd, remarking to a friend, "I don't mind the German guns but I cannot stand the cameras."

Another story was of a heated dispute between two Tommies as to which knew most about religion. At last to clinch the argument one said "I'll bet you five bob you cannot say the Lord's Prayer" ('Fancy betting on the Lord's Prayer,' added the Padre.) The other immediately began reciting "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want ". He got thus far when the other said "Here's your five bob, I did not think you knew it." The Padre has promised to visit Patea again in the near future, when he should be greeted with a house packed to the doors.