During the course of his speech Dean Trivett said:—At the very outset of my remarks this afternoon I would like to refer to the state of emergency in which we find ourselves as parties in the war between the British Empire and France on the one hand and a Hitlerized Germany on the other—a war which bears every appearance of developing into a life or death struggle, We have striven for peace,—I think we can truly say that no stone has been left unturned by our King and his counsellors to that end—and now war has come, the issue taken with full realization of what it may cost. We each have our part to play. We may be among those who have to stand and wait while others seem to bear the brunt of the struggle. Our part may seem for most of us a small and insignificant one, but God grant we may do it to the very best of our ability, and when the call does come, answer it with all that we have and are, that we may be worthy of the name we bear as Englishmen and keep faith with those who die.
As you know, a committee has been set up for the ce-ordination of local British War effort. We were asked to appoint a representative on that committee, and were fortunate in having a member of our committee who, by his training and experience, is exceptionally well fitted to represent us, and he was duly appointed. I am hoping that during the course of the meeting Dr. Gauntlett will make a short report on the work and aims of that committee.
The reports and accounts for the year ending December 31, 1939, having been in your bands for some days, I propose, with your permission, to take them as read, Under the heading of "Celebrations" you will find a full account of the observances of our day last year. The service in the Cathedral, when we had ce-operating with us the 2nd Battalion the East Surrey Regiment, was, I am glad to say, exceedingly well attended, and I am sure you will agree with me that it was the most impressive which has ever been held under the auspices of the Society. I am also sure that you will agree that the ball was one of the most successful in the annals of the Society. I might further draw your attention to the fact that as a
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