Rotary's Power for World Peace

1947 San Francisco Convention

Tributes to Paul P. Harris

S. R. Sarma, RC Madras, India

S. R. SARMA: Mr. President, Chairman Ches Perry, Ladies, Fellow Rotarians, and other gentlemen present here: This is a solemn occasion, objective and introspective, if that is not a contradiction in terms ‑ objective in that, we think of somebody, and introspective in that we apply all that we think noblest in him as a standard to ourselves.

I consider it a privilege to be asked to participate in the special occasion of paying a tribute to departed Rotarians and particularly to the Founder of Rotary all over the world.

I come from a country about which all of you have doubtless heard, and that is India. Upon this occasion I am privileged to speak on behalf of my country. Most of us in India believe that death is a coming back. It is in that spirit we ought to assess the noble, great souls which have left us.

On this occasion I advisedly refrain from diluting my feelings in a long speech. I want to visualize that I am speaking face to face with that great Founder of Rotary and I want to be able to feel that, although I came too late to see him in this country in body and flesh, all the same I see him face to face here.

Paul Harris, are you dead? Through Rotary

We will enshrine you in our memory.

You are the latest great one to arise,

Far‑sighted, thoughtful, dynamic and wise.

You spoke eternal truth in a new form,

To serve a needy world with true reform.

You gave us Rotary, and what is it

If not for lasting peace to make us fit?

You made us seek the true comradery

On which you based our global Rotary.

 

You taught us affluence to well deserve

We should well exercise our right to serve.

Now with unbounded gratitude we bow

To You, remembering the debt we owe.

We realize to idolize is oft

A move to drop one down and yet be soft.

But we adore you in a different way.

Your death cannot you from us snatch away.

Your gift and inspiration are alive.

And for a better world we all will strive.

(Applause)

Reverend Ezra A. Van Nuis, Minister of Calvary Presbyterian Church, RC San Francisco

Paul Harris Home • Section Home • 1947 Ches Perry • 1947 W. H. Tan, RC Shanghai, China • 1947 John Matheson Edgar, RC Essendon, Australia • 1947 Conrad Bonnevie Svendsen, RC Oslo, Norway • 1947 Herbert Schofield, RC Loughborough, England • 1947 Fernando Carbajal, RC Lima, Peru • 1947 S. R. Sarma, RC Madras, India • 1947 Reverend Ezra A. Van Nuis, Minister of Calvary Presbyterian Church, RC San Francisco