IN MEMORIAL.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 818, 16 May 1910, Page 6

IN MEMORIAL.

SERVICES ,IN THE CITY AND SUBURBS, . ST. JOHN'S CHURCH. At St. John's Church last evening, Dr. Gibb conducted a service in commemoration of the lato King. Tho church was crowded in every available foot of space, and hundreds failed to find admission. Tile service was, from first to last, deeply solemnising. The hymns chosen were: "Lead Kindly Light," "When the Day of Toil is Done," "Nearer my God to Thee," ''Now the Labourer's Task is O'er," and "Abide With Me." The singing of the great congregation was exceedingly impressive —tho organist and choii; giving a lead which wholly overcame the tendency of such hymns as these to drag. Dr. Gibb selected as the Scriptures lor tho occasion a few brief passages to express, first man's mortality, next the duty of confidence in God, then Christ as the resurrection and the life, and finally tho ultimate victory of the soul that believes. The anthem,was Wesley's "Wo all go the same place," o. composition which blends. tho noblest words with finely suitable mnsic.

Dr. Gibb chose as his text the verso, "What is your life? It is oven a vapour which appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away." The sermon was a long one, as sermons are counted now-a-days, but from the first word to tho last of the 40 minutes' discourse the congregation, though crowded uncomfortably, listened with an intense stillness. He made four points: (1) Tho uncertain duration of man's life. (2) The swift oblivion that covers' the memory of tho departed. Even tho greatest personalities made but a momentary stir as they dropped out. (3) Though the man is forgotten, his contribution to the life of the world endures. If Nature is careless of our name; she preserves our fact. (4) After death—judgment. It was this, above all, that invested even the humblest life with a dignity and significance which Omnipotence alone could measure These were truths, said Dr. Gibb, which made a specially strong appeal when a great man, or a man who had filled a great place, passed into the unseen. Death and the hereafter pressed strongly on their consciousness as they reflected that the sorrow they then felt was shared by millions upon millions of their fellow-siibjects. The pain they suffered was Dot the keen distress which death occasioned when it touched them nearly; but tho grief of the Empire reacted on their individual sorrow and filled the heart with deep emotion. Their grief was a seemly thing. Fear God, honour the King. The divine right of kings was indeed ,an exploded fallacy, but for the death of a worthy ruler they did well to grieve. The preacher then indicated tho nature of the King's influence. His loyalty to the constitution, his care for tho poor, his warm sympathies, his shrewdness and steadfastness of purpose, and, above all, his successfnl efforts to promote tho peace of the world' were all fully illustrated.

In the House of God, however, the preacher's duty .was not' to laud any man, whether king or commoner. His duty was to use the King's passing hence to impress on men's hearts the great realities of life, death, and judgment. A picture was drawn of the King's earthly glory, and then, hush! A fe_w hours' sickness, time passed and eternity came. Be ye also ready. ' At the close of tho sermon Mr. Barnett played the Dead March in "Saul." The opening voluntary was an improvisation, the closing a Funeral March—a' recent composition of tho organist. Both wero highly effective.

PRESBYTERIAN. The memorial service at the Kelburne Presbyterian Church yesterday morning was conducted by Rev. Mr. Staiididge. In the course of an impressive address, the preacher, referring to his late Majesty lung Edward, said that the true ideal of kingliness was' expressed in the word "service," and our late Sovereign had nobly fulfilled his obligations to that ideal. His greatest attribute was his peaceful kingliness, which made him one of the greatest influences for peace in civilisation. He ,had been well described as "The Peacemaker." Added to that was a personal charm, the quality of sympathetic tact .kept him in touch with all classes of his people. ' ST. JAMES'S PRESBYTERIAN. Special memorial references to the passing of King Edward VII were again made by Rev. W. Shircr at both ser%-ices at St. James's Presbyterian Church, Adelaide Eoad. In referring to the hymn "Nearer my God to Thee" the preacher remarked that as the Empire was united in sorrow and in sympathy, it might well be united in contrition and in consecration. The Church to-day called man to remember Pentecost and the coming of that Spirit who comforted those in sorrow and also taught man practical wisdom. The wise king who sought peace was at rest. That to the king now to rule there would bo granted "the understanding heart," was the prayer of his loyal people. TARANAKI STREET METHODIST. Memorial services for the late King Edward were held yesterday at Taranaki Street Methodist Church. The Bev. S. J. Serpell officiated at both services. At the morning service, before an excellent congregation, including some of the boy scouts and volunteers in uniform, tie preacher delivered on eloquent sermon from the 2Gth verse of the 15th chapter of Job: "Tlion ehalt come to the grave in a full age," his subject being "Is life worth living?" It was shoivn Hint formerly, when life was lived under simpler conditions, it was longed for, but' under modern, conditions it was not so. Ono of the results of right living was that it conduced to length of days. In an interesting manner the speaker then showed what opportunities there are for studying God's government, also God's grace, and the obedience to God which wo can here manifest. It afforded great cause for thanksgiving that King Edward had had an opportunity for doing good work for God, and when the history of the past fen- days came to be written it would bo found that tho King had performed a great servico to the nation in preserving the peace of the world. Mr. Harland, tho organist, played Chopin's "Funeral March" at tho offertory, and "The Garland of Flowers" at the conclusion Df the servico. Reference was again mado to the late King at the evening service. Spohr's "Blessed are the Departed" was given by the choir, also the National Anthoiu by tho congregation at the conclusion. ' CENTRAL MISSION. A special memorial service in connection with the death of King Edward was held by the Central Mission in the King's Theatre last evening. The Mission Band played appropriate music before and during the service, and memorial hymns wero sung. The Rev. F. W. Isitt led the congregation in prayer.

Tho Bev. E. 0. Blamires preached from tho verso (Psalm xc): "So teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts unto righteousness." Mr. Blamires eaid that thcro was a lesson for overyono at this time of mourning. For some the chief thought was as to tho purchasing of a purple dress, but the nation's loss ought to bring deep and serious thoughts. All people, said tho preacher, were bound by tho laws of common humanity, and, just as the prayers of tho late Queen Vicloria had had far-reaching effect, in moulding tho destinies of tho nation, so would tho unutlered prayer of tho least person in the Empiro' have a sure and helpful answer. During his reign, tho people had had an increasing admiration of him, and he iiad ruled over the affairs of the nation wisely and well. ' At tho conclusion of tho service, tho Dead March in "Saul" was played.

AT THE SYNAGOGUE. At tho Synagogue last evening the Rabbi, the Rev. H. Van Staveren, took for tho subject of his sermon "Tho crown of our head is fallen," during which ho made reference to tho death of King Edward VII, deploring tho passing henco of a great and good king, whoso beneficent reign had made for peaco among tho peoples of tho British nation.

SALVATION ARMY. Colonel Knight, provincial commando> ot tho Salvation Army, conducted a "holiness meeting" in the Vivian Street barracks yesterday morning. In the afternoon a song service was held, and in tho evening Colonel Kniglrt spoko to a crowded mooting on the lato King, mid tho general servico was o£ a memorial character. Tho Wellington corps songsters and Scotch songsters sang at tho afternoon and evening meetings. Tho memorial servico at tho citadel last evening was attended by a very large congregation. Before the servico commenced, tho Army's band played a funeral dirge through the streets, u largo crowd being in attendance. Colonel Knight led (lie service, and based his references to his Into Majesty on the words, "And he died in a good old age, full of riches and honour!" Tho lato King's favourite hymns wero sung, the Scotch Songsters and the Wellington Singing Company taking part. At the conclusion of the service, the band played tho "Dead March," while tho congregation stood in silence. AT HUTT AND PETONE. Tho Rev. B. P. Rothwell conducted the memorial service at the Hurt Methodist Church yesterday. Tho church was draped in black and purple. "Nearer my God to Thee" (tho lato King's favourite bymn) was feelingly rendered, in* placo of tho usual anthem. At the close of , the service, Mr. A. A. Crump played tho Dead March in "Saul." The Memorial service at St. David's, Pctone, was largely attended. The church was appropriately draped with purple and black, ribbon, and white flowers. Tho Kev. A. Tomson preached from the text, "Tho Lord our God be with us as he was with our fathers, let him not leave us." At the Primitive Methodist Church, Petone, a special memorial service was held on Sunday morning. Pulpit and organ wore draped in black, and there was a good congregation. Some of the late King's favourite hymns were sung. The Rev. H. Cottom preached, and his subject was, "The Legacy of the King." Tho Potone Corps of the Salvation Army held special memorial services, when special reference was made to the lamented death of his late Majesty. On the Main Street, at 0 p.m., an open-air memorial servico was conducted, the hand rendering, "Nearer my God to Thee," and tho Dead March in "Saul," Tho evening service in the barracks was Next Friday a united "In Memorinm" service will be held on tho Petono Hecreation Ground at 10.30. All the local clergymen will lake part in the proceedings. The bands and friendly societies are to meet at the railway station, and thence to proceed to the ground. IN OTHER CENTRES. fUy Tolograph.—Press Association.! Christchurch, May 15. The military memorial service for the late King, in connection with the North Canterbury infantry battalion, was held in Cranmer Square this afternoon. About one thousand Territorials and senior cadets were present, in addition to six or seven thousand of tho general public. The service was conducted by Bishop Julins, who delivered a sympathetic and impressive address.

Dunedin, May 15. Special services in memory of his Majesty the lato King' Edward VII were held in all the city churches to-day. The Mayor (Mr. T. Cole) and several of tho city councillors attended St. Paul's Cathedral where the Primate preached in tho morning.' There was a large parade of volunteers, who distributed themselves in the city churches.

Auckland, May 15. Special services in memory of King Kdward were held here practically in all the churches to-day. There was no united service and no military parade except at Devonport, bnt many volunteers in uniform attended various churches. A military parade has been arranged for Friday to the Anglican, Presbyterian, Roman Catholic, and Wesleyan Churches.

Napior, May 15. A memorial service for the late King was held at the Anglican Cathedral this morning. An overflowing congregation included the Mayor and prominent citizens, tho Territorial forces, cadets, veterans, returned Sonth African volunteers, and Boy Scouts. Bishop Avorill was the preacher. Similar services wero held in other churches in Napier and Hastings. Timaru, May 15. In momoriom services wero held in tho churches to-day. The Territorials, IGO of all' ranks, attended at St. Mary's English Church. The sermons reviewed at more or less length the life of the lato King. On Friday next a united open-air service will bo held.