KING OF ENGLAND

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 88, 13 April 1935, Page 9

KING OF ENGLAND

THE NATION'S PRATER

JUBILEE SERVICE

The following form of prayer of. thanksgiving, states the "Daily 'Telegraph," is to be used at the services throughout the Kingdom on the occasion of the King's Silver Jubilee:

"It is very meet, right, and our bounden duty that we should give thanks unto thee, O Lord, Holy Father, Almighty, Everlasting God, for that thou wast pleased as ,on this day to set thy servant our Sovereign Lord King GEORGE upon the Throne of this Realm and has profited him in days of sickness and of health throughout his reign of five and twenty years.

"For the example of unceasing service set by him and by our gracious Queen MARY; for strength and' steadfastness bestowed on him, and for the love and loyalty borne to him by a great family of peoples and in all parts of the world, we laud and magnify thy glorious Name.

'"We bless thee for increase in the knowledge of thy marvellous works, in care for those who suffer from sickness or the lack of work, in desire that |11 men everywhere may live in peace and enjoy the fruits of their labour.

"For these and all thy mercies vouchsafed to us, O Father Almighty, we yield thee unfeigned thanks; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom with thee in the Unity of the Holy Spirit be all honour and : glory now and for evermore."

The Special Form of Prayer and Thanksgiving to be used in St. Paul's Cathedral and throughout the country on May 6 has now been prepared by the Archbishop of Canterbury, in accordance with an Order in Council. It opens with the first verse of the National Anthem, which is immediately followed by "All people that on earth do dwell," thus linking the ideas j of the earthly and the heavenly kingdoms. ' PSALMS AND HYMNS. There follows seven verses of Psalm 95, "O come, let us sing unto the Lord," and then in Psalm 121 King and people "lift up their eyes unto the hills from whence cometh their help." This thought is echoed in the New Testament lesson from Revelation, in which occur the words, "He carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain and shewed me that great city, the Holy Jerusalem."

The Old Testament lesson from the Book of Joshua (chapter 1, verses 7, 8, 9) sets forth the law of the earthly kingdom. These verses begin, "Only be thou strong and very courageous."

After the lessons comes either the hymn of Sir Cecil Spring Eice, "I vow to thee my country," or "City of God, how broad and fair."

An address will follow, which is intended to be not so much a sermon as an introduction to the Thanksgiving and prayers. It is to be followed by the familiar hymn, "O God of Jacob," with -its words, "Our vows and prayers we now present."

The prayers which follow are taken mainly from the Accession Service and include one for the whole Empire.

The spirit of thanksgiving again finds expression in the Te Deum, and, after the Blessing, personal loyalty to the King is reaffirmed in the singing of the first and third verses of the National Anthem.

The service is designed to last not more than one hour. It is expressly enjoined that it is- not to be used on the preceding Sunday, May 5, but is authorised for use on the Sunday following. '

Additional forms are being issued by the Bishops for use at Holy Communion and Evening Prayer.

Two Greymouth residents have succeeded in rearing over thirty pheasants, and have liberated them in the Grey Valley. It is the hope of the Grey District Acclimatisation Society that these birds will become established. Pheasants are protected birds, and provision is made for a heavy penalty against anyone convicted of shooting them put of season.