"INSPIRING APPEAL”

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1077, 15 September 1930, Page 10

"INSPIRING APPEAL”

LORD BLEDISLOE’S ADDRESS TO YOUTH OF N.Z. UNITED CHRISTIAN ARMY Press Association WELLINGTON, Today. An inspiring message to the youth of New Zealand was delivered bv his Exoellency the Governor-General, I,ord Bledisloe. when addressing a Bible • lass Rally held in the Town Hall yesterdal. “You are said to live in God’s •>wn country/’ said his Excellencv. It' your muscles arc taut and your hearts are clean and your eyes bright and cheerful this New Zealand oL’ yours will not only be God's own country, but will a beacon like the Toe II lamp to guide the other nations of the world toward the sunshine of God’s presence and God’s blessing.” We all stood in the ranks of a great Christian army scattered over the world, he said. It had its divisions—in more senses that one—its brigades, battalions, companies ancl platoons. United it stood, and only if divided did it threaten to fall. If it fell civilisation. order and, indeed, human happiness would crumble and fall with it. "We in New Zealand.” said his Excellency, “although separated into various companies represented by the different denominations with different company-commanders ancl non-com-missioned officers, belong to one great regiment—may I presume to call it the King's Own —of exceptional physique, courage and resourcefulness. AVe all have the King of Kings as general officer commanding. Unseen He is here today giving us inspiration and guidance. We all. too, have in the Bible a copy of the King’s regulations which prescribe our several duties. CHURCHES TOO EMPTY "Worldliness, Indifference and indeed. infidelity are rampant in the world today, and unlike 50 years ago are unfortunately fashionable, with the result that the churches are all too empty. Home life, which should be ihe backbone of every great nation, is at a discount and varied amusements. not always of a savoury or edifying description, are eagerly sought after. The unnatural craving for constant excitement banishes that quietiKlf of mind which makes for the truest happiness. “Never was there a time when a.n occasional rally was more necessary than today, and no rally surely can be more effective or more full of hope than a rally of youth. This is preeminently the age of youth. My earthly sovereign and yours when handing me my commission as his representative here asked me to keep tri eye upon the young people of New Zealand, and to remind them from 1 irne to time that upon them will rest the responsibilities as well as the privileges of the British Empire. That Empire will be what they choose to make it.”