THE KING'S RECOVERY.

Putaruru Press, Volume VII, Issue 296, 11 July 1929, Page 4

THE KING'S RECOVERY.

THANKSGIVING SERVICES. Suecsssful Combined Effort. A hurriedly-organised combined service of thanksgiving for the restoration of the King's health was held in the Putaruru Town Hall on Sunday afternoon. Despite the fact that it was teeming with rain, upwards of' eighty attended, which was intensely gratifying. Mr. J. R. O. Lochhead presided, and apologised for the absence of the local clergy, who were away fulfilling outside district appointments. The form of service used throughout the Empire was used for the service. The Putaruru Town Band, j under Mr. A. Brown, lead the singing of the hymns. After the Rev. C. G. Scrimgeour, of Auckland, had led the congregc* tion in prayer, Mr. E. M. Marshall gave a brief address, _ in the course of which he stated that it was fitting that an undenominational service, wherein thanks could be tendered to Almighty God for the restoration of the King’s health, should be

held. They remembered how the whole nation was in a state of anxiety about the King when he developed a serious illness towards the Close of last year. It was a wonderful triumph for medical science in restoring the King to health. His Majesty, in all his speeches, expressed clearly the deep feeling of thankfulness that he felt for the skilled attention of the doctors and nurses, and for the courage of the Queen in bearing up under the trial. It spoke well for the loyalty of the Empire that the people were in a truth anxious as evidenced by the countless messages sent, and by the joy and enthusiasm with which His Majesty was greeted on his appearances after his illness. It counted for a great deal in times of international crisis that the people were loyal to their King, for he is not only a figurehead, but stands for all that is ideal in civic life. His personal oualities were many and

great. This occasion means a great deal to the Empire, and we are grateful to God for restoring the King to health, and he (the King) in turn is grateful for the loyalty and kindly feeling felt for him in his hour of distress. It is the forerunner of the time when the sympathy of all will go out to all who are in trouble. The Rev. C. G. Scrimgeour, of the Methodist City Mission, Auckland, was the next speaker, and he prefaced his remarks by expressing his nleasure at having the privilege cf being present and seeing so many present. The people of America had recently celebrated their day of thanksgiving, and to the non-Ameri-cans the day seemed a queer one, but the great thing to be remembered was that the people of America had forgotten the bitterness that was caused at the time when she gained her independence, so we on this occasion remember with gratitude the restoration of the King to health. The thanksgiving service had a far deeper significance than the We saw the whole world banding itself together to give thanks not only for the restoration of the King’s health, but for more things. The British people have to be proud of their Empire, but they should never let this run in the wrong direction, for there are loyalists and loyalists. And some who claim to be such have brought disgrace on the nation. The King and the nation are taking part in great, works. In the movement for world peace the British Empire was taking a leading part, and the speaker ventured to say that Britain was only a step oil’ casting oil' her whole armaments. The British people were fostering peace conferences, and the King, too, took an interest in these matters, and they sincerely hoped that lie would be spared long to help in the ca.Tje of peace. They were proud of the liberty enjoyed under the Union Jack, and Mr. Scrimgeour instanced the progress made in the penal laws during the past 100 years; also the liberty of conscience now enjoved. This has a definite personal relation to ourselves, for as long as we are willing to play our part by using and obeying our conscience, we will be loyal subjects of the King and feel that we are part of the Empire with a part to play therein. After referring to the Empire’s colonising efforts, Mr. Scrimgeour appealed to all to help keep the flag flying, and he prayed that the thanksgiving service would have a deeper meaning than the personal one. In addition to the National Anthem, the hymns “ All People That on Earth Do Dwell,” “ O, God, Our Help ” and “ The Church’s One Foundation ” were sung. The Rev. Scrimgeour pronounced the benedic- ' tion. ,

, retiring collection in aid of the Earthquake Relief Fund realised £1 17s 6d, the whole of which will gt» towards the fund, the Town Hall charge of 3s for the use of the hall being donated. Anglican Church. The inclement weather militated against a large attendance at St_ Paul’s (Anglican) Church, where the morning service was devoted to the thanksgiving for the restoration of the King’s health. Twenty-five Girl Guides, under Captain Dodson, assisted by Com-pany-Leader L. Miller, paraded with their colours. The order of service as used I throughout the Empire was followed, the vicar, the Rev. S. R. Wareing, prefacing the service by a brief address, wherein he referred to the fact that in the olden days in church services a man used to be in attendance with a pole to awaken those who went to sleep, saying at the same time: “ Lift up your head.” And in bringing this into application Mr. Wareing said that this was an occasion when hearts should be lifted up in praise at the King’s recovery. The cry “ God Save the King ” meant “ God save the Nation ” as well. It was more than personal. The King does things that no other king in the world can do: he goes about unprotected and none other is held in such affection and esteem as he is. He is democratic for he shows true democracy. The King had expressed a wish that the collections at these services should be given to charity, and in New Zealand most of the offerings were to go towards the Earthquake Relief Funds. The vicar closed by appealing to all to give as liberally as possible for the cause was a most worthy one.