Tárogató, 1945-1946 (8. évfolyam, 1-7. szám)
1945-11-01 / 5. szám
14 TÁROGATÓ how it disappeared; how it was found again in the Chateau de la Falaise at Wimereux after the Canadians had stormed along the coast; and how, through our Ambassador in Paris and the British Foreign Office, it was restored to the Y.M.C.A. in London, where the same Mr. Adam Scott to whom it was originally given, received it back again. Since that article was written, further information has come, which gives still more meaning to the story. Its beginning is the same. For seven months in 1917, I was stationed in Etaples, charged with the task of endeavouring to get closer co-operation between the various churches in the common meeting-ground of the Y.M.C.A. huts. When I returned to Scotland, I asked the congregation to present a Cup which could be used at Communions by any Christian body, either by itself or along with others. This was done, and it was so used by many a soldier “appointed to die.” Then, we thought, somehow» the Cup was lost; but it appears that this is not the case. The Y.M.C.A. went on working in Etaples until the Armistice and through the period of demobilization up to, and beyond, the singning of the peace in 1919. Thereafter, a newenterprise was undertaken. Multitudes of people from Britain and the Dominions went on pilgrimages to France—many of them, alas! to visit graves. Consequently, hostels for these pilgrims were set up; one of which was established, under the control of the Y.M.C.A., in the Chateau de la Falaise at Wimereux. To that hostel the Cup was taken and used at Communion Services for the pilgrims. We may well believe that many a Canadian father or mother or wife partook of the “w-ine poured forth” from this same cup, from which, very likely, the lad whose grave they came to see had himself partaken. There it remained, apparently, until the outbreak of this war, which dragged its weary course, until D-Day 1944 when the Allied troops landed once more in France. All of us will remember the stern fighting of the next month or two, when Canadian courage was tested to the uttermost at Caen and at Falaise. There also is a Chateau de la Falaise—the one where William the Conqueror was bom— although it is ISO miles west from the one where the Cup had been taken. Yet there is a link, at least in this story, between the two; for it was the immense courage of the Canadians and British in holding the hinge round about Falaise and Caen that enabled the Americans to sweep round in a great arc, until finally the Canadians broke through and speeded along the coast, in victory after victory, until they reached the other Chateau de la Falaise at Wimereux. Meantime, that Chateau had had a chequered history. From being a hostel for Pilgrims, it had become an German headquarter; and the Cup, if used at all, mayhave been used for carousals. Its battered base suggests that it was. When finally our troops arrived as liberators, they evidently had to deal sternly with the Chateau as a strong point; for it and all its contents were pounded to pieces. Except one thing. The Floly Cup, and the Holy Cup alone, survived, and was found by kindly and reverent folk, who ultimately through the official British channels, restored it to Mr. Scott. Quite recently he took it back to Edinburgh. The two historic churches called “The New North” and “Greyfriars” are now united in the ancient “Kirk of the Greyfriars”, restored to its ancient form. In the keeping of that united Congregation the Cup now rests, to be a perpetual witness of the things that endure for ever. A striking witness it is. As the present minister of Greyfriars — Dr. Strang — has written: “such things have still a meaning for “Godly hearts that, grails of gold, Still the blood of faith do hold’.” —Canadian Girl.. THE HOOPOE By W. J. Copsey In Palestine there is a bird named the Hoopoe. It is about the size of an American Robin and is a bird of peculiar habits and of very beautiful plumage. The most unusual feature about it is the head. A crest of feathers of gold starts from the base of the bill in small feathers, lengthening backward and longest at the back of the head, and when erected stand out like a fan, something like an Indian chief’s warbonnet, the golden feathers are banded with white and tipped with black. When at rest the feathers lie back from the base of the bill over the head and appear as black and white. The bill is very long for the size of the bird, like the long bill of the woodcock, only unlike the bill of the woodcock that of the Hoopoe is curved istead of being straight. The plumage is
