INFLUENCE FOR PEACE

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 709, 8 July 1929, Page 14

INFLUENCE FOR PEACE

THE KING’S EXAMPLE BELOVED UNIVERSALLY “Kings,” said Victor Hugo, “are for nations in their swaddling clothes: France has attained her majority.” With this quotation the Rev. E. M. Finnis opened his sermon in the Presbyterian Church, St. Hellers Bay, yesterday. “Victor Hugo was wrong,” said the preacher, “for subsequent history has proved that the very reverse is true. The mightiest Empire in the world is graced by his Majesty King George V., and in the words of the ancient Hebrew we say: 'Let the king live.’ “The most remarkable fact about his Majesty’s illness is not his recovery, as miraculous as that has been, but, as the London ‘Spectator’ pointed out, the world-wide sympathy and anxiety that his illness aroused “His Majesty himself was no less surprised and gratified by this universal good feeling than any one of his subjects. It plumbed the depth of international relationships and revealed a far deeper feeling of goodwill 'and fellowship than any of us were cognisant of and heralds that glad time when wars shall be no more. “The Christian Church may well take heart, for it is her influence so graciously exemplified in the King that has quickened this good feeling. Nothing else on earth could have promoted it. We can pray today with greater hope than ever, ‘Thy Kingdom come.’ “To our Royal Family, home, parenthood and the Holy Catholic Church are not only the dearest ties upon earth, but are so sanctified in their lives that they radiate a force for peace, prosperity and happiness that is more powerful than all the battleships afloat,” Mr. Finnis said. “Is it any wonder that his subjects, so diverse in colour, religion and custom, join in unison and say, ‘Long live the King, God save the King’?”

JEWISH REJOICING SPECIAL SERVICE HELD A special service for members of the Hebrew community was held in the Synagogue yesterday as part of the Empire-wide thanksgiving service on the recovery of the King. The Rev. S. A. Goldstine, who preached, paid a tribute to the character of the King and spoke of his sympathy for the Jewish people in his Empire. THE KING’S WORK REV. A. S. WILSON’S TRIBUTE “A profound impression has been made upon us as a people by the serious illness of the King, the dread anxiety of which has been relieved by the long, patient and brave fight of his Majesty.” This statement was made by the Rev. A. S. Wilson at the Grange Road Baptist Church yesterday morning in an address based on Peter i.: 2, 17. “For months the whole Empire seemed grouped around what threatened to be the Royal deathbed, and each tiny evidence of improvement was hailed with a joy which showed how strong was the bond which united a great King and his far-flung Empire,” continued Mr. Wilson. “And yet there arose inevitable doubts when he first climbed the Throne. The blunt question was freely asked: ‘What manner of King shall we have in the successor to Edward VII.?' ” The speaker went on to outline King George’s ascent to the Throne and spoke of the capable manner in which his Majesty had carried out his duties. Speaking of the King’s attitude toward religion, Mr. Wilson said: “I believe that the King is a sincere Christian. You have before this heard of his life-long habit of reading a chapter of the Bible each day. The King’s frank admission of the Bible habit went to the heart of millions who still remain true to the faith of their fathers.” The speaker mentioned the King’s great courage, sympathy, and sagacity in the Great War and the personal visits he paid to the war fronts and his patience and wisdom in the affairs of Ireland negotiating between English political parties i and getting some agreements on Irish affairs. “We truly rejoice today in the recovery of our hard-working, resourceful, talented, and, above all, our Christian King. The nation has arisen and from the remotest hamlet and the gilded city palace there comes the joyful note after weary months of suspense. We love our King; God save the King.”