Jerusalem and the East.

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume IX, Issue 22, 1 April 1919, Page 176

Jerusalem and the East.

Bishopscourt, Napier, March 13th, 1919. My Dear People, — .

The Bishop m Jerusalem is making a strong appeal for help for his Diocese. Those who are m any way m touch with the "Jerusalem and the East Mission" through its missionary magazine '' Bible Lands, ' - will know how urgent . that appeal is. The difficulties that face Bishop Mclnries are overwhelming s It is true that the Cathedral Church of St. George has been spared, yet m other respects the position m Palestine is not unlike that m the ruined areas of France and Belgium. He has two great problems to face- — how to relieve his destitute people., and how to get into running order once again the machinery of his Diocese put out of gear by the war.

It was some three or four years after the Bishop's Consecration before he was able to reach Jerusalem, and then only after it was conquered by the gallant force under General Alfenby. However he is there now facing with wonderful faith these problems. Money is an immediate and pressing need — but to whom can he go? Not to his poor destitute starving people. He turns naturally to the members of his own Church, the Church of England. There are so many reasons .why wtr of tlio Church of England should help.

1. It was ,£ i'oni Jerusalem that the Message of the Gospel first went forth, the message that reached our forefathers.

2. We m New Zealand have been particularly exempt from the horrors of war that have laid waste elsewhere lands and homes and churches. 3. No. iron necessity has compelled us; to limit our food and war has meant gain to many. 4. Our sons and brothers of the Mounted Corps shared m this expedition, which will go down to . history as one of the great feats of the war, which has set Jerusalem free; for ever, we believe, from the oppression of the Turk. 5. The land is sacred to- all because it is the land of Christ's birth, and death, the Besurrectj.on and the Ascension — and . sacred to many because of those who have found lonely graves there. In view of the urgent need of help I am asking your Vicar to give -the offerings on Good Friday to the Jerusalem and the East Mission, feeling that you will liberally, respond to this appeal.— l am, yours faithfully and affectionately, Wm. WALSLEY FAIAPU.