JUBILEE SERMONS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXV, Issue 125, 13 May 1935, Page 11

JUBILEE SERMONS

PULPIT APPRECIATIONS Napier Church Services STABILITY OF THE MONARCHY The Napier churches yesterday celebrated the jubilee of His Majesty the King, and sermons appropriate to the occasion were given by the ministers. Last night, at St. John’s Cathedral, Bishop Williams gave Psalm 72, 1 as the fount of his sermon —“Give the King thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the King's son.’’ He said, “We are joining to-day with the King's subjects all the world over in thanking God for the blessings of his reign, and in praying that by God’s blessing he may be given health, strength and wisdom for the years to come.

“In doing this it is well that we should have clear ideas as to what Kingship really is. The notion is very widely prevalent that the King, being supreme sovereign, can do pretty well as he pleases: but this is very far from the trutn. The King may have certain privileges, but he has heavy responsibilities and duties which far outweigh the privileges. “The British Constitution is a unique growth—it is not contained in any document, but has been arrived at during centuries of practical government, the people and the sovereign gradually adjusting their respective rights and duties. The result has been an institution of outstanding stability. Since the beginning of this century many monarchies have fallen, and others are seriously weakened, but the Crown of England was never more secure than it is to-day. And our beloved King has himself largely contributed to that security. “From the day he ascended the Throne his sole aim has been to rule well and wisely. He has never considered his own personal convenience, but has always acted as duty dictated. Both he and the Queen, who is equally beloved, have made themselves heads not so much of the country, as of the people, and the purity of the personal life of our Sovereigns has been an important matter in this respect. They are before everything else God-fearing Christians. “And for all this we have to thank God. One hears sometimes cavilling at what are called the State Prayers, in our services. But we must realise that, though historians do not now say, as they did in Biblical times, the Lord raised up a godly King and established his throne in righteousness: God still, as of old, overrules the course of the world, and to Him we must pray that under good government _we may lead beautiful lives; and Him we must thank, that we have been brought safely through tho years that are past.’’ AT ST. AUGUSTINE’S. - At St. Auguftine’a the service was taken according to the form of prayer and thanksgiving to Almighty God for the protection afforded to the King's Majesty during the 25 years of his auspicious reign, ordered by the Lords of His Majesty’s Most Honourable Privy Council. As soon as the choir entered the church at the west doors they remained standing while the whole congregation stood and sang the first verse of the National Anthem. After which, and during the procession, the hymn’ “AH people that on earth do dwell’’ was sung. Canon A. Hodge gave a short address from 1 St. Peter 2. 17—“Honour all men, love the brethren, fear God, honour the King.” During his address Mr Hodge repeated His Majesty’s reply to the many greetings sent from every part of the Empire. Mr Hodge closed his address by saying, “On this Jubilee thanksgiving day how easy it has been for us to open our hearts to God in gratitude I What a joy it has been to sing our National Anthem which is to all of us and all the Empire a sincere prayer. How very impressive it has been to us to realise that during the week the atmosphere surrounding the whole earth has been charged with the music of this hymn of prayer. It did not matter what part of His Majesty’s Dominions we tuned in to we would hear it. So that the great British Empire has lifted up her national hymn in joy and sincerity, and all the surrounding nations heard it.” After the benediction the service closed with the singing of the National Anthem. “HONOUR THE KING.” The Rev. George Miller, at St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church, took for his text last night “Honour the King”, 1 Peter 2. 17. “There is not a part of our great Empire that is not rejoicing at this time in the celebrating of the 25th. anniversary of the King’s accession to the throne,” he eaid. “His declaration 25 years ago that he could rely on the help of his people, and depend upon their prayers that God would grant him strength and guidance, has been abundantly fulfilled. We are proud of our King, and loyal to our King, and praise God for our King. His reign of 25 years has seen many changes. We and our allies have grappled with a mighty foe that was determined to cripple us but failed Change has been the order of the ' dav. But our King is still upon the Throne, honoured and loved by his people, and his throne more solidly secure than ever. He has been a true leader, a great example of faith and wisdom and courage, never faltering in his duty, rejoicing with his people in their joys and weeping with them in their sorrows.

“In their home the King and Queen, by the affection and love that have blended their hearts, the sweet ties that bound them to one another, their high ideals of what a home should be and their prayerful endeavour to reach those ideals, have given to their people an ideal which, if followed out, will make splendid citizens and noble hearted men and women. Such an example was never more needed than it is to-day, when authority has broken down in a great many homes. That it a calamity in any child’s life. “During the war their came a time when shadows were over us. We were really up against things, Russia was in retreat. Italy was giving no real help, lhe Gallipoli expedition had failed, the German submarines were playing havoc with our ships and their air-craft were bombing our coasts and we seemed to he losing tho war. Lloyd George said the drink was destroying a great deni of our efficiency and must go; and a t once the King sot the example bv ordering that during the war no intoxicants should be served in the Koval household. Another characteristic of the King in h.i» fricndlin«». He hag got into

touch with the varied activities of his people. He has visited schools and universities, mining areas both in North and South Britain. He has made a tour of the potteries and i” this way has gained an insight into various aspects of the nation’s life. “The King is a gentleman of majesty and grace. He possesses a quiet seriousness. He has walked carefully and successfully in most difficult situations. He has faced courageously and with hope the crisis, which has imperilled not only the nation but his own crown, and he has revealed a charity of heart which has impressed the Empire. “The Queen has been a devoted and affectionate wife, a most efficient helpmate, and a wise and loving mother. She is a woman of deep sympathy and practical common sense—a Queen honoured and loved by her people. May they long be spared to reign over us and may the days ahead be days of peace, in which righteousness is exalted more and more. And may no duty be neglected that will help us to reach the ideals that God has placed , before us.”