SPECIAL SERVICES

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 137, 12 June 1944, Page 5

SPECIAL SERVICES

KING'S CALL TO PRAYER

RESPONSE IN AUCKLAND

There was a large attendance at the citizens' intercessory service held in the Town Hall Concert Chamber yesterday afternoon in response to the King's call to prayer. At the same time a thanksgiving service was held in celebration of the Y.M.C.A. world centennial. The Mayor, Mr. Allum, presided, and with him on the platform were representa.tatives -of the New Zealand and American Armed Services, the City Council and non-episcopal churches of Auckland, the directors of the Y.M.C.A. and members of the boys' division of the association.

The senior vice-president of the Y.M.C.A-, Mr. J. Gordon Smith, rdad from the Scriptures, and the intercessory prayer was led by the Rev. W. S. Lowe. Other prayers were led by the Very Rev. T. H. Roseveare, moderator of the Auckland Presbytery, and Mr. J. Tyler, a past-presi-dent of the Y.M.C.A. Addresses were given by Mr. W. Calder Mackay, president of the Y.M.C.A., and Mr. E. M. Blaiklock, senior lecturer in classics at Auckland University College. Suitable hymns were sung and the National Anthem was sung at the beginning and conclusion of the service. Mr. Trevor Sparling was the organist. ... Churches of most denominations observed yesterday as a day of national prayer and dedication _ m conformity with the King's wish. The National Anthem was sung and addresses were given appropriate to the occasion. At the morning service in St. Mary's Cathedral the American National Anthem was also sung and the full text of the King s recent broadcast was read by Dean W. Fancourt. _ .. .. In the Auckland Roman Catholic diocese thanksgivings were made for the personal safety of the Pope and the preservation of Rome from destruction. Prayers were also said for the restoration and preservation of peace. Asan act of thanksgiving, the "Magnificat", was sung in tne service of Benediction.