In Thanksgiving

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 709, 8 July 1929, Page 9

In Thanksgiving

KING’S SERVICE AT ABBEY Most Simple and Dignified MONARCH AND PEOPLE KNEEL TOGETHER (United. P.A.—By Telegraph — Copyright) (Australian and N.Z. Press Association) (United Service) Received 11.10 a.lll. LONDON, Sunday.

FE service at 'Westminster Abbey, at which the King and the Royal Family returned thanks for his Majesty’s recovery from his recent illness, was, as the King expressly wished, a simple attendance in church, where he could join his people in thanking God for “His good Providence.” Hundreds of thousands of people lined the route from Buckingham Palace

to the Abbey. The King, in an open carriage, with the Queen alongside, looked strong and well.

His Majesty smiled delightedly at the acclamations from the dense crowds. Opposite their Majesties was the Prince of Wales, upright, alert, and smiling happily. Officers and State diplomats waited in the centre of the great concourse. Every part of the King’s Dominions was x-epresented. There were the Labour Prime Ministei’, Mr. Ramsay MacDonald, and his colleagues, in the choir —rulers from the Fart East, bronzed colonials, and great' military and naval leaders. Some of the congregation had waited from last night. Their Majesties were met by the Dean of Westminster, the Archbishop of Canterbury, canons and lay officers. Standing in the chancel, the King had the Queen on his right, and behind stood the Duke of Connaught, the Princess Royal, Princess Victoi-ia, and Viscount Lascelles. As the roll of drums died away, the voice of the Dean rang out from the chancel. It was simplicity again. In three sentences he spoke of the hopes and aspirations of the Empire—“ God save the King. God save the Realm. God give us thankful hearts.” Silence again; then the thrilling fanfare of trumpets, and the singing of the National Anthem. The Archbishop of Canterbury, in a cape of green, stepped forward slowly while the King knelt and bowed his head over the scarlet-bound book of service on the desk before him. His family joined in prayers. Trumpets and the organ shrilled again, and there arose the Te Deum, as the congregation knelt. The Archbishop of Canterbury, grasping his crosier, raised his l'ight hand, while every head was bowed for the Benediction. Slowly the royalties left the chancel, as simply as they came, and stepped into the landau to meet a great wave of cheering from countless thousands. The Abbey bells joyously tolled out, and there were cries from the crowd of “God bless you.” The King showed that he was deeply touched by the spontaneous expression of loyalty and devotion. Returned to the Palace, their Majesties stepped on to the balcony and remained there for five minutes, acknowledging the cheers. The King, will) was bareheaded, and' obviously affected, bowed and turned to the Queen, who waved, and both disappeared. EMPIRE REJOICES SERVICES YESTERDAY IN ALL CHURCHES SPANISH KING AT MASS British Official Wireless Reed. 11 a.m. RUGBY, Sunday. Thanksgiving services for the King’s recovery were held in the churches throughout the Empire today. Most of them were modelled upon the service held in Westminster Abbey, at which the King himself, together with the Queen and eight other members of the Royal Family, was present.

Although the principal statesmen of the country, the corps diplomatique and a great number of repi’esentative people was present, there was a,n absence of uniform, and the nave of the Abbey was filled by the general public. The Abbey service was relayed through the British Broadcasting COl--poration to the whole country, and many churches equipped with wireless receivers incorporated the Abbey proceedings in their own services. Evei-ywhere, on the King’s suggestion, the offertories were devoted to hospitals.

The King and Queen drove from Buckingham Palace to the Abbey in an open carriage, and on arriving at the great west door they were conducted to their places in the presbytery. The hymns were led by the organ and the band of the Grenadier Guards. Perhaps the most moving moment in the service was when, after a roll of drums. Dean Inge spoke the words “God Save the King. God save this Realm. God give us thankful hearts.” Immediately there was a fanfare of trumpets, after which the congregation sang the first verse of the National Anthem. Six thousand devout Roman Catholics filled Westminster Cathedral, where High Mass was celebrated with a 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 of London, Sir Kynaston Studd, were present at the sei’vice at St. Paul’s, conducted by the Very Rev. Dean Inge. A special Bermon was delivered at St. Columba’s, Pont Street, by the Rev. Archibald Fleming.

SYDNEY SERVICES Reed. 9.55 a.m. SYDNEY, Today. In practically every church in Sydney yesterday, irrespective of denomination, a thanksgiving service was held to mark the King’s return to health.