The Coronation.

Manawatu Herald, 24 April 1902, Page 3

The Coronation.

Oa «6th June, the day appointed for the King’s Coronation, it is proposed to,hold a special service at St. Paul’s Pro-Cathedral. His Excellency the Governor has signified his intention of beiag present, the Bishop ot the Diocese will be the preacher, and Mr R. Parker has undertaken to provide a musical service which shall be as far as possible the same as that sung at Westminster. In making this intimation to St. Paul’s parishioners last night the vicar said it seemed to him that very few people recognised the real significance of the consecration, unction, and coronation of the King. By many it seemed to be merely a great pageant which would circulate large sums of money, and which afforded colonials a good excuse for visiting the Old Country. If this weie all the Coronation meant, it hhd better not be at all, or at least the religious element should be for ever eliminated. It was, however, a ceremony of most weighty meaning. It did not merely concern the King; it concerned the people of this Empire still more. It was the consecration ot the Empire in the person of its official head. It was the proclamation before the whole world that our Governments, Imperial and colonial, recognised a Divine Sovereignty—that above aad beneath their responsibility to the people they confessed a subjection and responsibility to the King of Kings. Without this confession, or when it was insincerely made, governments were apt to become the slaves or the tyrants of the peoples they governed; and which was productive of greater evil it would be difficult to determine. In conclusion, Mr Sprott trusted that in a grave and serious spirit all his hearers would observe the Coronation Day.—Post.