QUEEN SAYS NATION NEEDS DIVINE AID IN RECONSTRUCTION

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 12, Issue 17, 30 January 1948, Page 3

QUEEN SAYS NATION NEEDS DIVINE AID IN RECONSTRUCTION

(Contributed by the Ministers’ Association)

The Queen spoke upon what the Bible means to her when she addressed the silver jubilee celebration meeting of the Bible ReadingFellowship, in the Central Hall, Westminster, in June of last year. Saying that she reads in the Bible every day, the Queen went on to refer to the great responsibilities we all have to shoulder in these present days of reconstruction, and, she added, if we rely upon our own strength, either as an Empire or as individuals, we shall indeed find the burden too great. But if through prayer and Bible reading we learn to live each day in the strength and power of God, we might well go forward with confidence and hope. Her Majesty quoted some words of Queen Victoria who in referring to the Bible said: “This made England’s greatness.” “It is my prayer and hope,” said the Queen, “that these words may become true again in our generation. These are challenging days in the history of the world. A new era is struggling to be born, and what sort" is it to be? We in our nation and Empire are called to give a moral lead to the world and we can only do this if we are true to our great Christian tradition.” The Archbishop of Canterbury, who presided, spoke upon the sad fact that in this storm-tossed generation far too many people have no roots for faith. In a tribute to the Royal family, he said that the nation is fortunate that it can observe in the Royal Family the simplicities, the sincerities and the graces of the Christian faith in the Christian home.

The following was published during the war years:— The Queen said that women were keeping their homes for their men against the blessed day when they would come back. Some homes had been shattered. Dwellings could be rebuilt, but nothing could restore the family circle if a dear one was gone for ever. A. firm faith in reunion beyond this world of space and time, and fortitude, born of resolve to do one’s duty and carry on to the end, were true consolations for those who were suffering and mourning. “Women of the nation must be deeply concerned with religion and our homes provide the place where it should start,” she said. “The creative and dynamic power of Christianity can help us to carry the moral responsibilities which history is placing upon our shoulders.”