MEMORIAL SERVICES

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 101, 23 January 1936, Page 10

MEMORIAL SERVICES

Grief Shared by People

HIS MAJESTY’S LIFE AN INSPIRATION TO ALL

Many 'Wellington city and suburban churches were thrown open for prayer all day yesterday. In the morning a short commemoration service was held in St. Mark’s Anglican Church. It opened with the hymn "O God Our Help in Ages Past,” followed by the Lord’s Prayer and Psalm exxx, "Out of the Deep Have I Called.” The proper lesson was read from Rev. vii, 9, to thc end, indicating the triumph of the saints of God. This was followed by the hymn “On the Resurrection Morning.” Special prayers for the Royal Family, thc Empire and the commemoration of the departed were then read. The hymn “Abide With Me” was sung, and a short address was given by thc vicar of St. Mark s, the Rev. N. F E. Robertshawe. 'The death of the King, said the preacher, was the cause of sorrow not only to the peoples of the British. Empire but to the world. No monarch was better known and better loved by his subjects. Probably many of those in the church saw him ou his visit to New Zealand in 1901. His unceasing care for bis people; his sharing with them of all the sorrows of the war; his untiring energy in all affairs of State showed him to be the ideal monarch of a democratic Empire. His family shared with him the love that he felt toward his subjects; and the visit of the Prince of Wales, who now succeeded him as Edward VIII, was a memory cherished by all who saw and met him ou that occasion. Thc Royal Family had won a place in thc hearts of all classes of the people to which no oue else could possibly attain. They bad at all times worked for the benefit of our race, and their steadfast example of home love, untiring attention to duty, aud true piety had undoubtedly raised the tone of natioual life. "The new Klug comes tv the Throne at a period of great unrest in the world,” said the preacher; "and he needs the prayers of all his subjects; and wc truly can say that already bis wise judgment and his vast experience of all parts of his Dominions will, aid him in carrying ou thc noble work begun by his father.” A Sense of Personal Loss. “All of us share in the deep grief which has come to the Royal Family, and we pray that they will be strengthened and comforted by thc memory of a husband and father who by his noble life has given such an inspiration to the whole Empire.” Her Majesty Queen Mary shared in all ways the life of her husband. She had been a devoted mother and her loving companionship had always been a tremendous assistance to the King in the midst of his heavy duties. Their home life at Buckingham Palace aud in the quiet of Sandringham had been marked by simplicity and steadfast piety. Her training of her family and the care and devotion that bad always bound the family together had been such as to win the sincere admiration of all people. “Wc share with her the deep grief that has come to her after so many years of happy family life. Death comes to the monarch and subject alike; aud in her sorrow we bear with her a sense of personal loss. May God give her strength to bear nobly and bravely the loneliness she must feel in the time of separation. "The loyalty of this Dominion has never been doubted, aud the news of the King’s death has cast a gloom throughout the whole Dominion; yet there is always thc sense of great, thanksgiving that the King was spared to enjoy with Queen Mary the completion of twenty-five years of the most eventful reign in British history. The love and affection shown on the occasion of their Silver Jubilee proved how deeply their Majesties bad entered the hearts of their people at Home, and we "shared with them Hie joy of that occasion. “God Save Our King.” “To-day we mourn the loss of a King who could truly describe himself as ‘the father of a family of nations.’ His memory will be ever cherished; To the new King will be given the same loyalty and affection shown toward his late father; aud we pray that wise judgment aud high ideals will continue to guide him in the great position to which he lias now been called. We can say with the deepest feeling 'God Save Our Klug.’ ”

Kipling's ‘‘Recessional” was then sung aud thc congregation stood while Chopin's “Funeral March” was played. Thc service concluded with the blessing.

ROYAL FUNERAL Europe’s Kings and Queens to Attend (Received January 22, 8.15 p.m.) London, January 22. The Royal funeral will be attended by the King and Queen of Norway, the Kings of Denmark, Bulgaria, and Belgium, Prince Paul of Yugoslavia, the Crown Prince and Princess of Sweden, Crown Prince Paul of Greece, Prince Nicolas and other Rumanian dignitaries, M. Le Brun, President of France, and M. Laval, the Prime Minister, if lie has not resigned, American, Portuguese. and other Ambassadors, Baron vou Ncuratb, possibly General Goering aud Princess Juliana. MAY STILL VISIT HIS CANADIAN RANCH “King Entitled to Holiday” Calgary. January 21. Professor W. L. Carlyle, superintendent of the E.P. Rauch, does not think that thc accession of Edward VIII will mean the end of his visits abroad. In 1927, when the Prince visited his ranch 4 his brother, Prince George, suggested that he ought to stay longer, as he might not be able lo come again. Edward VIII said: “I can get here In nine days from England, have nine here, and return in another nine. Surely a King is entitled to a mouth’s holiday some time.” RECEPTION CANCELLED Tlie Australian Trade Commissioner, Mr. R, H. Nesbitt, advises that the reception arranged by him for Monday, January 27, has been cancelled on account of tbe death of thc King.