"Taranaki Central Press” THURSDAY, MAY 13, 1937. COVENANT WITH PEOPLE

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 432, 13 May 1937, Page 4

"Taranaki Central Press” THURSDAY, MAY 13, 1937. COVENANT WITH PEOPLE

There is no ceremony for the exaltation of man in high office that surpasses in solemnity and splendour of ritual the Crowning of the King of England at Westminster Abbey, writes Michael Macdonagh in “The English King.” Many changes have been effected in the constitutional form of the British Monarchy some in the tumult of revolutions, some in the silent lapse of events so as to fit it into the ever advancing democratic system of government, but the rites of initiation are the same to-day as they were when Edward the Confessor and William the Conqueror were crowned, when the Kingship was regarded as sacrosanct and absolute denoting the possession, by the Sovereign personally, of supreme dominion, authority, rule. The Coronation is essentially a religious service. It is conducted by the highest ecclesiastical dignitaries. The great Officers of State who assist at it are but servers or acolytes to the Archbishops and Bishops. It is the finest, perhaps the only, medieval pageantry in patriotism transfused with religion, that is extant in the twentieth century. The inspiration of Rome is in its solemn ritualism and its gorgfeous pomp. And yet throughout the ceremonial there runs a recognition that the King, if but a little lower than the angels, is still a man, with personal feelings, opinions and predilections, and subject to the commonest weaknesses of humanity its tempers, whims, caprices. Therefore, there are professions of humility on his part as well as anthems of praise to his glorification. Above all, there is an insistence that he must bind himself by oath to his duty and responsibility toward his country, to govern the people according to the laws of the land, to execute justice with mercy; and prayers of intercession are offered up that he may be strengthened for the fulfilment of these obligations. The Coronation, in fact, is of the nature of a solemn covenant between the King and his people.