DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8, 22 February 1900, Page 6

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH.

(From our own correspondent ) February lit. Rev. Mother Provincial and Rev. Mother St. l'hilomena, of the Sisters of the Missions, returne 1 on Friday from their visit to Kaikoura. The High School attached t"> the Monastery of the Sacred Heart, Barbadoes street, has reopsned with a very satisfactory increase ot pupils and boarders. The Sisters of the Missions have been successtul in passing Misses Margaret and Mary Cassidy and Katie Piohen in the recent shorthand examination and obtaining I'itman's certificates. His Lordship the Bishop commenced a miss-ion on Sunday at Loburn, in the northern district. During his stay contributions will be received in aid of the Cathedral building fund. Comprised in the Third Contingent which lett on Saturday for South Africa are six Catholic troopers. During the encampment at the Addington Show Grounds frtquent visits were made by the Rev. Father Marnane. The Very Rev. Father Corcoran, of Morpeth, in the Maitland diocese, and the Rev. Father MacMillan are at present guests at the episcopal residence, and celebrated the early Masses at the ProCathedral on Sunday. The departure of the Third Contingent of Xew Zealand Rough Riders to the peit of war in South Africa was a memorable occasion so far ab Christchurch was concerned. Never in the history of the province has such an enormous crowd been soen in the city as oil Saturday last, and the excitement was intense. At Ilagley Park valedictory Bpeeuhed were made by the Mayor, the Right Hon. It J heddoii, and the Right Rev. Dr. Grimes. His Lordship spoke as iollows .—. — Your Kxcellenoy, Ladies and Gentlemen, and Soldiers of the Empire, — This grand demonstration forcibly lemiud.s me of an event which took place long centuries ago ; un event which stands out strikingly in the history of the past as that ot to-day will stand out in the history of the future. A cry once arose from the far-

away East, and was borne to the several countries of Europe. It told them how that land, wherein the light of truth first shone — that land made more than venerable by the footprints of the Messiah — was about to fall into the hands of the Mussulmen, the bitterest foes of true civilisation. That cry re-echoed through castle and c >t. It was heard by prince and peisant, high and low, rich and poor, by the noblest and the best in every land. Hut nowhere was it more enthusiastically responded to than in the British Isles, the land of the brave and the free (applause). That cry became the historical 'God wills it 1 Go&m wills it ! ' was taken up by hosts of our forefathers. Bidding farewell to homi" and family and friends and country — farewell to all that is nearest, and de irest on carth — th^y enrolled themselves beiieitii the s(,,uulu<l of the (,10->.->. With 'God wills it 'on their lips, courage and trust in thoir breasts, they were followed to the shores ot Old IJntrUiul by anx.iuuM paients and ltla-tions. and by thousands of ail mil ing friends and acquaintances, who. with a cordial God speed, siwtheni fearlessly set out to encounter countless perils on sea and on land. Many never reached the Holy City. They were doomed to leave their bones to bleach on the banks of the Mediterranean, but in sight thereof. Yet they died rejoicing that they had obeyed the call of duty. Their more fortunate companions in arms entered the battle-field, whereon they fousrht and bled, gladly giving up their lives for God and for right. Whatever be thought of the origin and final result of these historical wars — that civilisation is indebted to them for blessings innumerable, none can deny (applause). A few months ago a cry reached us from the distant shores of Europe. It told us how the liberty and the right of those bound to us by the ties of flesh and blood or the bonds of common brothernood, had been trampled under foot. It told us how a threat of defiance had been hurled in the face of our Mother Country ' This by a tyrannical oligarchy, the foe of all true civilisation or progress. That cry told us how the gauntlet had been thrown down by a race reckless of truth, unfaithful to the most solemn promises. A race described as one subject to alternate fits of lethargic sloth and wild animal-like courage — a race as narrow-minded, predjudiced and fanatical as it is full of craft and cunning. That cry was taken up by everyone beneath the Southern Cross. But nowhere did it find a more sympathetic response than in the hearts of our young New Zealanders. Like the Crusaders of old, it was taken up by a first, then a second, and now by a third contingent, made up of the noblest and the best in this fair land (cheers). With a ' God wills it ' God wills it !' they answered in deed and in word. 'We, too, will it.' We, too, are willing, aye, eager to go to the rescue of our down-trodden brothers or kinsfolk. Is it not right and meet that we should be gathered together in our thousands to-day to bid our dear modern Crusaders a hearty God speed. Is it not right that we, in our thousands, should gather together to congratulate that noble band on the splendid lesson they are giving the whole world / Have we not reason to be proud and grateful to witness an outburst of loyalty and patriotism which receives its culmination in the ' send-off ' of this day ' I repeat, an outburst, not merely spasmodic or sentimental, but an enduring outburst of practical loyal patriotism unparalleled in the annals of any nation, ancient or modern ! For, where or when before, was so cheering a sight displayed as that of every colony, even the remotest, rallying round their Sovereign and Mother Country in the hour of her own or her children's distrs-s ? Others may marvel thereat. For us there is no room for surprise. From the descendants of a noble race we look for deeds worthy of their noble hires. Ye men of this Canterbury Contingent like those who have gone before you— you, too, are worthy sons of ava iant race. You will be worthy ot their name and their tame. Whatever be the accident of your birth — be it Briton, or Saxon, or Cclt — does not Uritish blood flow in your veins ' Are you not ie;uiy to shed that blood for your Queen and Mother Country, whence you directly and indirectly receive it ' (Cheers.) We feel that with men like you the honour of our common country and of our O. it-en is in safe keeping. Brave-hearted JSew Zealand Hough Rider-, we envy you your solemn sacred charge. Compelled by circumstances beyond our control to remain behind, we will accompany yo i in spirit, in heart, and desire. Our ardent aspirations and most tervent prayers will follow you. too (Applause.) Before concluding 1 would crave your indulgence to utter a word of warning. It would seem that grave mistakes have been made ; others no less grave may recur. You may have reason to deplore tresh reverses or appalling disasters, but never harbour or encourage a spirit, of criticism against legitimate authorit}'. Blind obedience is a soldier's duy, the sole pledge and assurance of success. No matter the present or the future reverses , British valour must ultimately triumph and be victorious. Never be downcast or disheartened. To lose courage or be dismayed is neither British nor brave. The memory of your deeds, together with that of this day, will long be enshrined in our hearts. They will be handed down to posterity and be trsasured by those who come after us. Brave men and true, go forth to defend the outraged rights of your own kith and kin. Go forth, strong in the strength of your calling, and may the God of armies guard, guide and defend you. May He make you victorious and bring you back safe to the homes and hearts of those who, with the deepest, holiest emotion, bid you God speed. Farewell, once more, with mingled feelings of admiration, trustful anxiety. Farewell ! or rather um.\ adieu ; mitts uu rrrotr ! (Cheers.) (J)tiu mm A i irx ronfiiiitfd on page •;'".)