Mexborough and Swinton Times November 13, 1936
World Could Have Peace Now
Necessity for Work And Prayer
The annual armistice service was held at Denaby Parish Church on Sunday morning and was attended by a representative gathering including the Denaby Comrade’s branch, the woman’s section of the British Legion, the St John’s ambulance Brigade, and Nursing Division, the Denaby scouts and the Church’s Lads Brigade, members of the Urban Council, the Fire Brigade, the Denaby Garden and Horticultural Society, and other representatives.
The service was conducted by the vicar, the Rev. S. Powley. The choir sang Tennyson’s “Crossing the Bar”, and the congregation joined in the memorial hymn, “O’ Valiant hearts.” The vicar read the list of names on the war memorial, and the bell was tolled 18 times to denote the 18th anniversary of the armistice.
The Vicar preached from the text: “Curse ye Meroz, curse ye bitterly the inhabitants thereof, because they came not to help of the Lord against the mighty,” and “we then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.”
The vicar said: “It is our duty to try to bring about the spirit of Christ and to overthrow sin and evil. The text, one of cursing, one of love, calls in precisely the same way. One is a sterling call to action to help of the Lord; the other a challenge to man that the spirit of Christ is to be brought in. The challenge at this time is very great. We could, if we would, have the kingdom of God on earth; only man is keeping it from becoming a reality. Our great task is to work to bring in the kingdom of God, the spirit of joy and love. We are apt to sit on the fence and watch instead of entering into the work. Times were very critical when my texts were first spoken, and to-day is no less critical a time. Is there any hope of everlasting peace? As Christians, we must know there is a way out.
“Such an occasion as this calls for each of us start to assist in the work of building the City of God. The world could have peace now if it worked and prayed for it, but it can only come when the Prince of Peace reigns in the heart of each individual.”
After the benediction, the choir led a procession to the Cenotaph outside the church. Here the vicar conducted a short service, which included players and the last post.
The singing of the national anthem was led by the Denaby ambulance band. Wreaths were laid on the Cenotaph by the Denaby Comrades, the woman’s section of the British Legion, the St John’s Ambulance Brigade (officers, NCOs and members), Nursing division, Denaby scouts, Denaby Garden and Horticultural society, and several private persons. Collections were for the St Dunstan’s hostel for the blind.