A CHRISTMAS MESSAGE.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15131, 27 January 1917, Page 5

A CHRISTMAS MESSAGE.

JEFFERY FARNOL’S APPEAL FOR SELF-SACRIFICE. '■■■* Jeffery Farnol, author of “The Broad Highway,” “The Amateur Gentleman” and other l ooks that breathe the spirit of an old-time England, has given, v in response to a suggestion, a Christmas message to the thousands of homes’ where his stories arc read. He wrote the message just before setting out fertile front, wherfi he hoped to see some- ; thing of the brave men with whom he would himself have been serving hut for the results of a physical injury received some years ago. “Christmas has been a cherished festival from time immemorial, but surely never will it be a holier season than • now~a seasan doublv hallowed to us, v by the blood of.our best and bravest*;,, the blood. of our glorious men whp have gone put to fight for all things v . 'great and noble, for Right, for Hon—-, "our, Justice, and Innocence; “At such a time as this I -of all, can we-—dare we—keep : this«. Christmas in the thoughtless. fashipn H , and with the careless gaiety as of,}, old? Dare we revel while these, our;; best and dearest, face death in a thou- ; sand ghastly forms, grim-lipped and • unflinching? Surely not! “Rather should we make this sea- , son,, this Festival of the Blessed Babe,-! one of thought for those who are in theforefront of the battle, sanctified by ' the imperishable system' of dauntless l -3 self-sacrifice which has been, and 7 " is'f still, 1 thank God. the spirit of Brf-tain-—a'spirit,.clean, strong, and un*‘. conquerable, which those who have s* died and are dying leave to tv ns holy covenant for all Christmastides"; that are yet to come.” ■ ,