The Padre’s Message

Observation Post, Volume 1, Issue 4, 12 June 1942, Page 4

The Padre’s Message

borne years ago when the ships that made the Tasman crossing, were much smaller in size , than the palatial liners [ of to-day, a traveller on one occasion j was leaving a northern port for Aus; tralia. There being no taxis in those good old days, he made his leisurely way down to the pier with bag and baggage ballanced under his arms. On nearing the - wharves he . was stabbed wide awake by the sight of a vessel manoeuvring just a few feet off one of the piers.' Hastily jumping to con elusions, this would be traveller made all the speed ;he could to the scene of action. Arriving all hot and bothered he flung his bags over the rail and before anyone had time to lay a hand on him he had by some gigantic effort, hurled himself through space after themon to the deck of the steamer. As he lay there gazing upward into the infirmity of space, he gradually became conscious of the fact that there was an officer bending over him demanding to know what it was all about. “Thought I had missed my boat gasped” the man. “So you have,” replied the officer, “this boat isn’t going out; she’s coming in. . .-•-l /.; ; So much hurrying to and fro, so much heat, anjJ sweat, and bother and then to -land,on the wrong ship and to ibid that after all the fuss you are back where you. started from. Life is like that for many people. They always seem to land on. the wrong ship and never really get anywhere. This related how a certain man of Nots: once hailed a cabman to drive him to the station. -Tumping into the cab in great haste, he called out to the driver and said: “Drive for all your worth.’’.'The- driver ad Irishman did as he was bidden. The driven drove or. and on but, the station came no nearer. ■At last the exasperated passenger demanded to know where the cabby thought he.was going. “Don’t knowsir,” said the cabby, “but I’m sure driving for all I’m worth.”' Mankind has been moving with greatly accellerated pace. These last few years have found him driving hither and thither, “running too and .fro?’ as the Old Book says, but whereto? War. .You see fellows its the direction of life that is . important. It is the goal of ■ our living. that decides the - final issues. ’Now war in its last analysis is an expression of sin, the sin and evil of the human ? heart that has defied its God. The world at large, has taken as it were the wrong boat, it has been going in the wrong direction until it has driver, . its chariots of lust and pleasure, shall we say of self seeking into the quagmire of destruction. . Our comrades stand on battle front-to-day. in order to stop this tyranniea . onslaught. of . pagan brutality from devastating . the world and . turning tht hand of time back a thousand yean into . the dark ages. We • to-day musi stand for right. That battle however can never really be won until we our selves have come to a knowledge, oi the truth and are fully persuaded in oui own minds of the word of scriptun which , says that “It is righteousness that exalts a nation and sin is a; re ni-na.e.h for anv neonle. ”

You see it is the direction of r our lives that finally counts—the good that we aim for. Paul said: “For - me to live is Christ.” Christ was the goal of life for him as He ever has been for all who have won the crown of a victorious life—Conquerors and more. than Conquerors over sin and evil and death itself. The worlds new order if it is to ever be something worth while must begin in a man’s own heart and life. Sir Stafford Cripps has lately been telling us that . our whole economic, political and social life must be based upon the teachings of., the, New Testainent if we are to endure. These art the words of one of the most brilliant intellects of our . day who has himseli examined at first hand the great world revolutions. It is only the man witl a living faith in God that can hav< any real hope of the future. To-daj the Master calls us to His allegiance, t(

become soldiers of His Cross and Kingdom, to. quit like men and in the world’s broad field of battle, to be strong, in the strength which He supplies, that-“ Living in us His : own pure life, giving us rest , from ioward' strife, from; strength to strength, from death to life. At the moment it looks as if my ship is homeward bound unless I land purchance in the wrong boat. Glad indeed I am to have lived among you as a friend and comrade. It has been j a pleasure to me to serve the Regiment. I shall always have a real interest iii the Right of the line and terror of the enemy’’ to men of the 2nd Field. I have no doubt that the traditions of the Regiment are safe in your hands whatever the future holds. My best wishes go with you and may God bless you all. Your Padre,, MURRAY A. GOW.