KING’S RECOVERY

Hokitika Guardian, 8 July 1929, Page 5

KING’S RECOVERY

Special services were held at the local churches yesterday. Thanksgiving services were held in the Methodist Church both morning and evening, the Rev. G. IvnowlesSmith, taking for his morning text, “ The Foundations of our Empire’s Greatness,” and in the evening “ The Call for Christian Sympathy.” Retiring collections for the Earthquake Fund realised £7.

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. Good congregations attended the National Thanksgiving services yesterday at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. The choir rendered “Jacksons” setting of the Te Deum and the hymn “Praise My Soul” was sung to “St. Peter’s, Westminster.” Speaking front the words “Fear God, Honour the King,” the Rev. J. W. Hayward said .it was an impressive fact that throughout the whole Empire such services were being held and that in all the churches from the most historic and venerable of them all in London, to the lowliest church in the remotest corner of the Empire, the same simple and dignified order of service was being used. Rightly interpreted it meant an expression of religion and an expression of patriotism. It was an expression of religion—an Empire-wide recognition of God. For it was God who had heard a nation’s prayers—it was God who had restored the health and prolonged the life of the King. While making full allowance for the wonderful forces of modern medical and surgical science that had been brought into the field to save the King’s life. it was acknowledged that without God -1 working, .in and through these human means they would be unavailing. The words used in the order of service were a personal recognition of that fact on the part of the King and a national acknowledgment of the same truth by the King’s subjects. ...

These services were also an expression of the spjrit of patriotism, for in honouring the King we were honouring our nation, our institutions, our liberties. We boasted of the security, of the British throne in a time when so many monarchies were being overthrown. It'was largely because of the character of the King that the British Throne was so secure. It was not only “broad-based upon the peoples will but established deep in their affection and their reverent loyalty. The highest honour the King could receive had been accorded him; in the Ipve and loyalty of his people in the time of trouble. Never before in our history had such widespread and such profound and such affectionate solicitude been manifested regarding the Sovereign. It was a most happy and 'fortunate thing for any nation when its King could be so honoured, and no higher evidence could be afforded of the fitness of the King for the exalted position he occupied.' It was a wholesome thing for the people to express their patriotism in this way. They rejoiced in their great heritage in a nation so great and so free and heard again the call to be worthy of their best traditions. Let them seek through such services to tighten their hold upon those things which were the true strength of a nation and render unto Caesar the things which were Caesar’s and unto God the things which were God’s. Let the spirit of the poet Blake’s words be with them:

“I will not cease from mental fight, Nor shall the sword slack in my hand Till I have set Jerusalem In England’s fair and pleasant land.”

THE THANKSGIVING. A SIMPLE SERVICE. (United Press Association. —By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) "LONDON, July 7. ' The Abbey thanksgiving service begins to-day at 11 a.ni. At the King s own wish it will be one of the shortest and simplest ever held, and it is. expected to last only about thirty minutes. . Weather permitting, the King drives from Buckingham Palace in an open carriage, via -the Mall, the Horse Guards Parade, ahd Whitehall. British Legionaries will line the route. Their Majesties, with the Prince of Wales, the Duke and Duchess of. York, and other royalties, will enter through the great west-dAor, and while they are being conducte'd to their places, the choir will sing Spring Rice’s hymn, “ I Vow to Thee, My Country,” after which the service will be as already cabled on June 21st. There will be no sermon, the Primate believing that, all present will be fully conscious of their pui-pose in attending. The King will wear morning dress, and there will be no State ceremonial.

LONDON, July 7. His Majesty’s Thanks-offering Fund lias now reached £430,264. MESSAGE TO KING. WELLINGTON, July 7. His Excellency the Governor-General has sent the following telegram to His Majesty the King Your Majesty’s subjects in New Zealand have joined to-day with the rest of the Empire in united thanksgiving to Almighty God for Your Majesty’s restoration to health, and in earnest prayer that Your Majesty may long be spared to reign over a people knit together in common loyalty and love to Your Majesty’s throne, and person,—Governor-General.’'

THANKSGIVING SERVICE. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, July 7. Six thousand devout Catholics filled Westminster Cathedral where High Mass was celebrated with the Te Deum and also special prayers of a moving character. The congregation, at the request of King George, included King Alfonso, whom the Spanish Embassy staff greeted. He assisted at the mass. Every section of the community was represented. Hundreds, including the Lord Mayor, were present at the service at St. Paul’s, conducted by Dean Inge. A special sermon was delivered at St. Columbo, Pont Street, by Rev. Fleming, Bishop of London.

SERVICES AT SYDNEY. SYDNEY, July. 8. In practically every church in Sydney yesterday, irrespective of denomination, thanksgiving services were held to mark the King’s return to health.