ENEMIES AT THE ALTER. FROM HENRY FERGUSON.

Many thanks to both H. Ferguson and Signs of the Times December 2015 edition.


   Conflicts between nations typically create hostilities between people,Henry Ferguson, recounts an incident during WWII, that belies that conclusion.

     Christmas Eve 1942.  The Germans and the Allies were honoring an unofficial truce. Nevertheless, the City of Warrington, England, was blacked out that cold damp and windy night, as though an air raid might be expected at any moment
      Father Richard Rochford was to hold a midnight mass in St. Mary's Church that night, and soldiers and civilians alike slowly found their way through the unlighted streets to the place of worship. By eleven thirty there was standing room only in the Sanctuary--- except for the three front rows, which were totally empty.
      Ten minutes before the services were to begin, the front doors opened, and a file of Germans and Italian prisoners, flanked by American and British armed guards, with rifles, marched down the aisles to the empty pews. The flaming red POW insignia on each man's back stood out like a target. In reality, that's exactly what it was!

     Just before midnight, Father Rochford took to the Pulpit. He told the worshipers that in 1939, when  when the war broke out, a beautiful organ was being installed in the Church, but the war caused a shortage of materials that had brought the work on the organ to a halt. Then had come the happy-go- lucky American G.I's They had unselfishly furnished the materials and the know-how to put the organ into perfect condition in time for Christmas Eve Mass. The church organist has been taking lessons in Manchester for the past three months.. Then a pause, and the Pastor's voice broke as he said, "I'm sorry to have to tell you this but the organist has been stricken with the flue, and in a soft voice, continued, "I am sorry but there's be no music, No Christmas music tonight"

     An audible sigh of disappointment was heard, then a stir in the ranks of the prisoners was heard. One of the men rose up and spoke to the Guard. Then, closely followed by the guard, he walked the few paces to the front of the Church, bowed at the base of of the alter, ascended the steps and spoke to the Pastor, he bowing again walked to the organ and seated himself before it.
    Tensions rose, Could he actually play or would he start some trouble, to show disrespect for this occasion?  But, soon the lovely, and haunting strains of "Silent Night".were floating through the Sanctuary, and the crowd sat silent as if entranced. Never has they heard music played with such feeling. It was as through the spirit if of the Christ Child flowed from the prisoner's fingers, and pierced every one's hearts.
    On went the music as the organist proceeded from through sons through the beautiful season's music, that has come down through the centuries, of time. Many an eye was misty and few wept openly, overcome by the thoughts and the music. And the entire time the prisoner was playing the guard stood there with his rifle pointing right at the organist heart! No more incongruous sight could have been imagined for such a holy hour.

   When the organist stopped playing rising he spoke briefly to the Pastor, and then sat down at the pew. The Pastor's voice was husky as he again addressed the audience. He told them that the young man, who played so inspirational, that he had studied music min a small town in Bavaria, since his childhood.
   "This young man," he concluded, "a prisoner in an unfriendly land, has fully demonstrated here tonight, that true brotherly love, as exemplified by the Christmas Spirit, transcended any conflict in which people may engage. We owe a debt of gratitude for the showing us that, in faith, the people of two alien nations still have common grounds for understanding."

Note: (JB) Where there is a will, people will find a way, and when enough people do, then governments will follow their examples!

Thank YOU dear reader, for your time!

Questions?  Comments?   John at www.servant@frontier.com

What to learn more?   Visit your local Seventh day Adventist church any Saturday/Sabbath at 9-10 AM. Only God can give you the Peace of Mind the world can only wonder about.

Other sites:  www.blbn.org  wwwamazingfacts.org  wwwaftv.org   wwwamazingdiscoveries.org

john B.