A SUNDAY WITH OUR VOLUNTEERS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 3580, 22 March 1886, Page 3

A SUNDAY WITH OUR VOLUNTEERS.

♦ Yesterday the Volunteers of Timaru again had a very busy time of it, and the " camp " was once more a centre of attraction. At early morning tho stillness of tho neighbourhood was broken by the shrill notes of tho bugle calling the Navals and Artillerymen together, and it was very gratifying to sco how quickly the men left their. tents anil fell into their places. A long hour was then Bpent m company drill, which, showed a marked improvement on that of many previous ones, plain evidence that camp life has already done a lot of good to our Volunteers, [shortly after 10 o'clock tho men were dismissed, and ordered to givo the finishing touches to their toilots, preparatory to assembling for church parado. At 10.30 tho Garrison Band arrived at tho camp, and at twenty minutes to eleven the Navals and members of the C Battiry once more formed up. Tho Band had by this time taken their stand, and the Bluejackets and Artillerymen were drawn up immediately at tho roar. After a few minutes had elapsed tho Timaru Eiflcs were seen coming nlong tho Main Road, anil when they had arrived nnd taken their places behind the Artillery Major Hamertley gave tho command " Quick march." Tho companies, headed by Staff Sergeant-major Jones, stepped off m tho following order : — No. of men. Officer. Garrison Band ... 27 ... Bandmaslor Herd Timaru Navals ... 31 ... Captain Meason 0 Battery 4-1 ... Lieut. Jackson Timaru Hides ... 32 ... Captain White The routo taken was along Brown street into Cross street, along North street round Bank street to the Church. Tho companies as they marched to the grand music of tho Band looked Bplendid, the Band at the head iin brilliant uniform, and tho Rilles at tho rear m almost similar uniforms, sotting off to great advantage tho dark but far more serviceablo uniforms of tho Navals and Artillery. Arrived at St. Mary's (Kpiscopalian) Church the Band wheeled to tho right and halted. 3ho men wheeled to the left, and forming two-and-two marched into the ohureh and took their seats m the lower part of tho body of the building. The service was a choral one, and was conducted by tho Voncrablo Archdeacon Harper. The Archdeacon took for his text tho sth, Gth, 7th, Bth and 9th verses of tne Gospol according to St. Matthew — "And when Jeaus was entered into Capernaum there came unto him a Centurion " The Archdencou said it was a remarkable thing that so many military figures of speech should be used m the Bible, seeing that Jesus' mission on earth was to prenoh " Peace." Ho then quoted tho words that St. Paul used to Timothy — "Enduro hardness as a good soldier of Je3us Christ," and from the Book of l'cvolations m which our Saviour is described m theso wonderful words : "Ho wai clothed m a vesture dipped m blood .... and out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword " as instances of tho figures of speech that were usod m Holy Writ. However, they would no doubt oeaee to wonder why such words were used when they considered that lifo for nil of them wa3 more or losa a kind of warfare. The Archdeacon once moro rcferripg to bis text said the "Centurion" mentioned was a captatn m the Boman legions, which had ever been tho wonder of the world. Each man m them thoroughly understood the meaning of tho word discipline, and was ready to live, do, «ervo and die for him who had supreme command, and for his country. In tho vcrse3 of tho toit were to be found words which brought prominently beforo all one of tho most prominent characteristics of a soldier's life. He then spoko at length of the duty all soldiers owed to thoso m authority over them, and to their duty to Him who was above nil ; after which be rend an oxtraet from tbo lifo of that celobrated man and great soldier, the Dukp of Wellington, and said that like him all should ever have their Bible and Prayor-book as constant companions, and live the life of a true soldier of Christ. In conclusion ho hoped that everyone who held tho proud position of a Volunteer m tho force of this colony— that all present that day— would, when the battle of lifo was over, bo welcomed by thoir Heavenly Father to rest, glory and peace. On leaving tho Church, tho Volunteers were marched homo past tho Post-ofllco and down tho Main South Road, and on regaining tho camp tho officers wero culled out and the men dismissed for dinner. Tho various ollicorsand a few friends dined with Major Hamersley m tho officers' mess tent, tponding an hour very pleasantly. Tho tablo was most tastefully laid out by Mr McGuinness, tho caterer at the oamp. During tho afternoon the Garrison Band played at the camp, which was visited by a very largo number of people, who passod a delightful timo by listening to the excellent musio and chatting with the Volunteers. Tho pieces played by the Bond were :— March, " Golden Harps aro Waiting"; Anthem, "Vital Spark"; Chorus, "Tho Heavens are telling" j Valse (br desire), " Fairy Voices " ; Selection "Weber's Mass"; Illarch, " Loving hearts greet us " 5 Selection (by desire) " Nell Gwynno " ; Fantasia on sacred airs.