Patea & Waverleg Press MONDAY, APRIL 24th, 1922. HONOURING THE BRAVE.

Patea Mail, Volume XLV, 24 April 1922, Page 2

Patea & Waverleg Press MONDAY, APRIL 24th, 1922. HONOURING THE BRAVE.

TO-MORROW the people of this Dominion are asked to observe the day as one of remembrance and acknowledgment of- the sacrifices made by New* Zealand’s sons in the late war. The day marks-the anniversary of the landing of the New Zealand and Australian troops on the Gallipoli Peninsula, a spot that will be for ever famous by reason of the many gallant deeds performed by the British and Colonial troops during their memorable struggle against overwhelming odds . Parliament has very rightly ordained that April 25th shall be set apart as a day on which the people can foregather and show some mark of appreciation of the sacrifices that were made on their behalf. With many it will be a day of sadness and mourning as they think of their gallant sons who went forward and gave their all for King and Country. The sadness, however, should be tempered with joy at the thought that those who made the Supreme Sacrifice died the noblest of deaths, fighting to the end in the most righteous cause for which ever a sword was drawn. They died in order that we might live free and unfettered instead of being the bondmen of the Hun. They died, too, in upholding the principle of justice, lion our and truth—in seeking to maintain the doctrine that the Son of Man himself laid down. The gallant boys who fell saved the catiKe of 'civilisation and he would be a poor spirited individual who would not feel disposed to show his gratitude by setting apart one day in the year in memory of the dear and honoured dead. Though we use the word “dead,” so signifying those who have passed beyond the veil, we as professing Christians cannot regard them as lifeless.

There is no death: What seems so is transition ; This life of mortal breath Is but the suburb of the life Elysian. Whose portal we call death.”

Our gallant boys who have gone before us are assuredly at rest and peace for they have each and every one i f them earned the marly r’« i rown, for are they not witnesses of the fact that right and truth must prevail as long as the Lor.l Omnipotent reigneth. No, jir gallant boys, whose loss we mourn and whose gallant deeds we commemorate are “with the Saints a\ho from' their labour’s reh/’ and have been received before Ihe throne of the Most High with the triumphant song of welcome “These are they avlio came out of great tribulation. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more, neither shall the sun strike upon them nor any heat for the Lamb Avhich is in the midst of the throne shall be their Shepherd and shall guide them into fountains of Avaters of life, and God shall Avipe aAvay every tear from their eyes.” As the psalmist has so truly said, too, “They asked life of Thee and Thou gavest them a long life, even for ever and ever.” Wherefore let us thank God that our country in her hour of need had those avlio cheerfully and ungrudgingly gave their- all even to the last drop of their young hearts’ blood in order that the- Avorld and eiAulisation might be saved. To-morrow Ave have an opportunity of showing that Ave in some measure are not. unmindful of the sacrifices that haA r e been made and Ave trust that the gathering Avill be Avorthy of the occasion.