The Bishop's Letter.

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume 36, Issue 6, 1 September 1945, Page 9

The Bishop's Letter.

Bishop's Court, Napier, 17th August, 1945. My dear People, - "Thanks be to God who giveth us the Victory." It is difficult to realise that peace is ours jit last, and what it implies. To many it is a fresh realisation, to their bitter sorrow, of the price which has been paid- by the loss of those they loved best of all. Words quite fail to convey the sympathy which we would like to extend to them at this time when those wounds of old will open all anew. Hot from the horrors of battle, all right minded, people are determined that there must never again be such an international calamity. Alas! that was said with the same conviction m 1918. And it needed only 21 years for the fury to break out again. The possibilities of the atomic bomb alone should surely deter warmongers of the future, for it is the scientists who are most alarmed lest men destroy themselves altogether by the abuse of this newly discovered power. Man frequently makes a poor show at wielding power. It corrupts him quickly. The only counteracting force to that temptation is the fear of God, and that is just what man has lost. It is one of the functions of the Church to supply that need. To those men and women who return from the theatre of war wounded m body, mind or soul, we give the assurance of our prayers, and also of our practical help m whatever way possible. And to those lucky ones who return safe and sound, we extend our heartiest greetings, and beg of you not to fail to give thanks to God,, not only with your lips but m your lives. You are now a widely travelled, and much experienced body of men and women, and we look with hope and with confidence to you that you will bring the benefits of your travels and experiences to bear upon our life here, which is very insular, and needs the best equipped people we can produce to guide and direct its future. , ' ' Yours sincerely, CRAIG WAIAPU.