A COUNCIL OF STATE

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21686, 21 January 1936, Page 9

A COUNCIL OF STATE

APPOINTMENT TO BE MADE NOT INDICATION OF GRAVE CHANGE {t'MTSD PRESS ASSOCIATION— t'C'P YH.GHT.) (Received January 20, 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, January 19. A meeting of the Privy Council will be held on January 20 to appoint a Council of State to act for the King during his illness. With the King's cognisance , the Privy Council will be held at Sandringham House in a chamber adjacent to the sick-room, from which he will conduct, the council. It is understood that the meeting \s not an indication of anv grave change in the King's condition, but that his illness may be prolonged. The council, which includes the Queen, the Prince of Wales, the Duke of York, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Mr Stanley Baldwin snd Lord Hailsham, will deal with formalities requiring the King's signature. PRIVY COUNCILLORS ARRIVE (Received January 21, 1.50 a.m.) LONDON, January 20. Many villagers assembled to watch the arrival of the Privy Councillors. Mr Ramsay Mac Donald, looking very serious, carried a large dis-patch-box. Sir John Simon appeared particularly grave. The Prince of Wales and the Duke of York left for Sandringham on their arrival from t Windsor. THE KING AND HIS PEOPLE THE EMPIRE'S DEBT TRAYER AND TRIBUTE AT THE ABBEY AND ST PAUL'S LONDON, January 19. Immediately after the sermon in Westminster Abbey there was a two minutes' silence while the great congregation prayed that the King be restored to health. Canon T. R. Barry, who was the preacher, declared that there wero grounds for hope, because of the amazing resilience of his Majesty ■during his last illness. There was not a single Briton In England or the Dominions who did not share the anxiety of the Royal Family. All felt sympathy and concern as if they; had illness in their own homes. Remembering the vast changes in a quarter of a century, the Empire realised that it than ever was calculable to the King's personal influence and example. As the father and leader of his worldwide family he laboured to unite "is people through peace and war, nope and fear, prosperity and depression. Canon S. A. Alexander, at the evensong service in St. Paul's, at which special prayers were offered, recalled how in brilliant May sunshine during the silver jubilee his Majesty had stood under the dome, thanking God for the many bless*ngs vouchsafed him. The King came here as a father among his children, as a monarch cr °wned by his subjects' love," he said. "The whole Empire recognised him a strong link between God and the people, and realised that even in a palace life may be lived well. _ "His reign had seen the Throne of jWigland still standing firm, like a Wnely lighthouse in stormy seas. . cause of peace and brotherhood

which has been so dear to the King should be a solemn charge which we must make our own." The Very Rev. W. R. Matthews. Dean of St. Paul's, offered prayers at a broadcast service for the King and the Royal Family. 3 Princess Alice and the Duke and Duchess of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha were among a large congregation a'. Westminster Abbey in the evening. Before the blessing, Dean Foxley Norris walked to the top of the chancel steps and asked the congregation to kneel and pray for their Majesties and the Royal physicians. He added earnestly: "Our hearts are filled with anxiety, and the whole nation is stirred, though we may thank God that the King's strength has been maintained. . "Pray in your own words, and with your own thoughts, remembering how the Royal House has always cared < for us and sympathised in. our every sorrow. "We shall respond to his appeal at Christmas time to regard ourselves as members»of his great family, by praying not only for the King as Sovereign of the Empire, but for him who has made us feel that we are one."