PEACE CELEBRATIONS.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 15863, 7 July 1919, Page 7

PEACE CELEBRATIONS.

THANKSGIVING SERVICE HELD IN WANGANUI YESTERDAY. ATTENDED BY LARGE CONGREGATION. After storm comctli sunshine, after war peace. For four long years the war-wearied people of the Allied nations have been looking anxiously for the day when victory would crown their arms and restore to them the blessings of peace. That great and glorious day has at last arrived, and yesterday was observed as a day when the united heartfelt thanks of the people of the British Empire were given to Almighty God for deliverance from the toils of war. In Wanganui, as in other centres, an united service was held in the afternoon, when all the Protestant Churches joined in ono common cause. While it was of a joyful thanksgiving nature, throughout the service there was a leaven of sorrow and sadness for many were there present who were mourning loved ones who had counted not their lives dear in fighting the good _ fight for the cause of righteousness, liberty and justice. The elements were symbolical of the day—sunshine and rain, joy and sadness, the heralds of peace, gladness and prosperity. A monster and open-air service had been arranged, but on account cf weather conditions being unfavourable, this was abandoned in favour of a service under cover, the Drill Hall and Ilis Majesty’s Theatre being utilised for the purpose. Botlp buildings proved to be inadequate for the large crowds which desired admittance and it is quite safe to say that had the weather been fine, the attendance at the open-air service would have equalled any similar gathering previously held in Wanganui.

A parade of Senior Cadets and Territorials was held in the Drill Hall, after which half were sent to His Majestv’s to attend the service there. The officiating elertrv also divided their forces, one portion under Archdeacon Reeve, taking part in the service in the Drill Hall, and the other, under Chaplain Blamires, in the Theatre. An appropriate order of service _ was used, the large congregations joining heartily in the singing, which was led hv the Qvmcn Alexandra Band under Lieut. Buckley in the Drill Hall, and the Garrison Band and United Choir under Mr T. C. Webb in His Majesty’s. Short but eloquent addresses were given hv Adjutant Bladin at the Drill ITp.ll. and by the Rev. Stanley Jcnkin in His Majesty’s. Adiutnnt Bladin, of the Salvation Aimv. vbo lias served as a chaplain in the X.Z.E.F., delivered an inspiring ad circs-’. They had met to-day, he said, to celebrate the great event they had craved and longed for for, nearly five vears, and which, thanks to Alntightv God and the wonderful heroism of the ueoplc, had at last been realised. V\'hm the call came and the British Umpire decided to stand by the weak nations in the cause of righteousness and freedom, because, of the glorious traditions of her past, and for the glorious principles for which we have ever stood, and which were ever dear to cur hearts, every true Britisher responded and followed that course. Very few of ns realised how near we were to losing everything. Me had lived under the shadow of the materialistic and did not pne our trust, in God. At the beginning of the war wo. put our trust iii the Navy. Our Navy, while it had done glorious work, and few realised how much, we owed. to it, could not cope with the huge military machine which threatened the liberty of tq.e people; then wo put our faith in tho great, hordes of Russian soldiers and believed the Russian roller would roll to Berlin, but it did not roll; then we bailed the incoming of Italy and oth- r nations as the beginning of success. V, lien the great offensive of 1917 was launched it was felt that we were up against something greater than could be met by mortal power, and discouragement cam-’- to the hearts of many. It

v,v. not generally known that a part r.f the French army bad marched towards Paris and were .almost prepared tv sign pence with Germany. Then Britain took over a larger share of the heavi st lighting. Then in the dark di ps of 19bS, when the Germans were forcing the Allies back, the nation went to God in prayer. A day of prayer was proclaimed bv the King. Tho tide of battle was turned: oar men launched an ctFck which drove the enemy back and brought about- the great result which we were coie"-rating to-day. God irt-uwened for us, fought our battles, and gave our glorious men the victory. On the battlefields of Franco, the sneakfi snid, ho had seen groups of little wooden crosses raised by fond hands to dead lurnes. That was the price we had paid for success. They had fought that- the great name of England should not pass, and counted not their lives dear. The speaker reminded his hearers of the unparalleled handiliood and wonderful heroism and sacrifice shown bv the glorious men of the BriLsh Empire and its Allies, of which Ihe battlefields of Gallipoli, France, and Flanders wore mute memorials. They had taught tho world how best to live and how best to die. These memorials should be a perpetual evidence that all th o great things in lif.—honour and goodness, justice and courage and truth —are immortal. Thev never die. Let

us remember, too, that our first duty to our country must be paid to God. If a nation is ruined it is not ruined by another nation’s guns, but by its own sins. The greatness and prosperity of any people rest ultimately on character. What the individual is so the nation will he. May the peace for which so many have suffered and bled bo a worthy and lasting one, so that, as the Scottish poet says, “When all the world shall brothers he,” may he fully realised. And may we see to it that the sacrifices of our sons are worth while. Those battle-scarred and bloodi-stained slopes and plains have a call That is loud to us all to live worthily for the achivement of noble purposes and true living, for the peace of all the world and the uplifting of mankind.

AT HIS MAJESTY’S. Tho speaker at His Majesty’s Theatre was the Rev Stanley Jenkin, who said that they ewre present in no spirit of jingoism or aggrandisement, but at the behest of the King to acknowledge and give thanks to God, for with Him victory would not have been possible. It would be the meanest and basest ingratitude to hold peace celebrations without acknowledging that He was on

the side of righteousness and justice. Bismarck had said God was on the side of the big battalions, but that was against all moral teaching, and history gave eloquent tongue that God was on the side of all forces numerically which fought for truth, humanity and righteousness. There were, times when the Allies were outnumbered by the Germans, but Arras did not fall, and the Channel ports remained safe. It was proof that God was on our side. There were people who said 'the world would never be the same again, and he prayed that would be. Deep scars had been made in the life of the world by the red hand of war, andhe prayed it would result in a better world, which would be cleaner, sweeter, and nobler. President Wilson said the world must be made safe for democracy. Truer words were never spoken, but •there was a great need to make democracy safe for the world. The future depended on the degree democracy was made safe for the world. Gallipoli and France were crimsoned, but not in vain, by the spirit that carried them to distant parts. He hoped for the same spirit in the days of peace, and it was for the people to settle themselves to the task allotted them. The days of responsibility was not at an end, and he hoped the lives of the people would be dedicated to the great work of reconstructing the world in Christ’s spirit. The semce concluded by the congregation singing that inspiring hymn. Praise God from Whom all blessing's fl w.” o