Introductory.

Te Aroha News, 21 June 1887, Page 1

Introductory.

TO-DAY is a red letter day in the history of the British Empire, and marks indeed the completion of a distinctive epoch in the records of modern civilisation. A few more revolutions of the minute hand of the clock and the fiftieth year of the reign of our most gracious sovereign, Queen Victoria, will be numbered with the past. To-day, over all the wide dominion that owns her sway — the greatest, most wealthy, and the most nearly cosmopolitan empire that the world has ever known — heaitfelt thanks have ascended to the Lord of the Universe that He has been pleased to spare a wise ruler to hold the regnant sceptre for half a century, and that at an age approaching the " allotted span" of human life our beloved Queen does not display any diminution of physical or mental \ igour. The jubilee rejoicings are uttered by tl c tongues of one hundred nationalities oL widely different customs, aspirations, and religious beliefs, yet all in thorough unison with respect to the geneial rejoicing. Queen Victoria has been a wise and just ruler, and in the matter of morals has been a pattern to her people. Therefore, apart from her official position as the " first lady of the realm," she has other and more ennobling claims on the affectionate loyalty of her subjects. The feeling of personal admiration and respect for the Queen herself, of course, at this season of jubilee rejoicing, particularly emphasises the prayer