“EMPRESS OF IRELAND.”

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 39, 8 June 1914, Page 6

“EMPRESS OF IRELAND.”

A MEMORIAL SERVICE BY THE SALVATION ARMY.

On Sunday evening the Salvation Army held a memorial meeting to the officers, comrades and others lost in the wreck of the Empress of Ireland. There was a good attendance at the meeting. The hall was wtxitably draped. The service was an impressive one. After the singing of the opening hymn, “When we Gather at Last over Jordan,” Mr Elford and Adjutant Tatton prayed, especially remembering the bereaved ones, also General Bramwell Booth and the officers gathered at the International Congress in London, After singing the second hymn, “My Rest is in Heaven,” the officer, in his opening remarks, spoke of the awful calamity that had plunged the world in mourning. They had gatherer together in deep sympathy for the lost and bereaved, and to ask God to comfort those that had suffered loss. He made reference to his little girl, whose attention was taken up in the morning service by tlJe draping of the platform. He said the draping did not mean muen to the child, but to many children it meant the loss of a kind loving) father or mother, or perhaps both, with whom they, had parted just a short time ago, giving them a loving fai’ewell and looking forward to then return, when they would x-eceive some little token of love in the shape of a present from the Old Land. But; alas! They would never see them again dn the Hlesh,* ■ and many, no doubt, had been left almost friendless and yet not without a friend, for the Ax-ray would take them under her sheltering care and do .ner best for them.

After singing a chorus, “Will You be Ready when Jesus Comes?” Mrs Young addressed the meeting, speaking feelingly for the bereaved ones, and of the importance of all being ready, asf life "is so unsure at the best. After this Mr Elford sang; “When the Trumpet of the Lord shall Sound.” Mrs Elford was then asked to speak. She said that she counted it an honor to have a few words at this memorial meeting, because she was intimately acquainted with Commissioner Rees and several of the other officers who had lost their lives. She said that the Army had lost one of its best officers in the loss of the Commissioner, who was looked upon as a father by hundreds of officers, as for a long time he was principal of the Army’s Training College in London, training men and women and fitting them for their life’s work. She told a story to illustrate his kindly spirit. One day .she was carrying a heavy basket of articles that she had for sale. When Commissioner Rees, coming out of Headquarters, saAV her, he said: “My girl, you have a heavy load there.” After inquiring where she was going, he said: “Let me carry it for you,” and although ho was a very busy man, yet he found time to go with her and carry her load for a good two miles. She said that thq Army had also lost one of the keenest of its financiers. The officei who had endeavored to save the Commissioner was, she believed, the officei who enroleld her as a soldier in the Army years ago. After another hymn, “Shall w< Gather at the River,” the officer read part of the 14th chapter of St. John, and also a portion of Ist Thess. 4th chapter, and then addressed the meeting from the words: “We sorrow not as do others that have no hope.” Ho &ud the Army sorrowed for the loss so many valuable officers and comrades, whose place it would be hard to fill, as men fully consecrated to the work of God and prepared to go forth to toil for their fellowmen were few compared with the need. The Army sorrowed, but not as those that bad no hope, because they believed they were now better off—dying being gain to the Christian. The Army sorrowed for the bereaved ones. The Array sorrowed most of all for the many others who had lost their lives. And perhaps as the end had come upon them so suddenly some had not made that preparation that was necessary for them to spend their eternity in Heaven. He urged all who had not made preparation for the close of life to do so at once while they had health and strength and time to do so, as death would not be gain to those who were unprepared. A prayer meeting was held at the end of the meeting.