THE MEMORIAL SERVICE.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 4 February 1901, Page 3

THE MEMORIAL SERVICE.

Saturday was faithfully observed by the business people of Greymouth as a day on which business was entirely suspended. All public offices, banks and places of business were closed, and no newspapers appeared on that day. In the forenoon the weather was bright, warm and clear, the sun shining kindly upon the mourners. The day was very mui'li like a Sunday. In the afternoon about 2,000 people attended the memorial service, which was held on the lawn in Victoria Park and was an impressive scene. Mr York opened proceedings with (lie well-known hymn

“Oh God our help in ages past Our hope for years to come.” Rendered by the combined choirs of the churches. The Rev Mr Stewart read the Rurial Service, followed by a prayer by Adjutant Foote of the Salvation Army. Then followed the hymn descriptive of .Miuman life :—•

“ Brief life is here our portion, Brief sorrow, short-lived care.”

The Rev. Mr York read from the T. Corinthians, dealing with the fruit and manner of the resurrection. Hymn : “ Rock of Ages ” was sung, and then the Rev. Mr York delivered an excellent sermon, in the course of which he dwelt at length upon the life of the late Queen, her notable reign, her noble character and exemplary life. Jfc said that as the earth revolved memorial services would be taken up overall the British dominions till they ended in Britain itself. The hymn was sung ;

“When our hearts arc bowed with woe, When our bitter tears o’crllow.”

Psalm xxxix —“ Consideration of (ho brevity and vanity of life ” —was read by Adjutant Foot, and a prayer given by Mr Oxbrow. The Ecv. Mr Stewart then followed with one of his admirable addresses; in which he sketched the lift' of the Queen; her sterling qualities ; and the general regret of a nation at the death of such a noble ruler. He proceeded to show . that death was no respecter of the palace any more than of the humble cottage, yet surely they ought to be great ful that so good a Queen had been so long spared. The hymn followed: —

“For ever with the Lord. Amen! So let it be, Life from the dead is in that word Tis immortality.”

The Rev. Mr Stewart then pronounced the bendiction, and the assemblage dispersed just as a soft light rain began to fall.