CELEBRATION AT QUEENSTOWN.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 2163, 25 June 1897, Page 2

CELEBRATION AT QUEENSTOWN.

THANKSGIVING D\Y.

On Sunday last, 20th inst., wu very fittingly the anniversary of Her Most Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria's sixty years' reign. Thanksgiving services were held in all portions of the world over which British rule extends, and amongst communities of all creeds and colours. As might be expected even in this remote, corner of the British dominion, ministers occuping the pulpits of their respective churches were also fully alive to the importance of the occasion, as may be seen by summaries of some sermons delivered in Queenstown, where each of the churches was well filled by attentive congregations.

The evening service in connection with St Peter's Anglican Church, was a very appropriate one. There were four hymns, three of them being selected. The service was commenced by the singing of the hymn " Praise to our God, whose bounteous Hand." Special prayers were offered up on behalf of Her Majesty in thankfulness to Providence for granting such a long and prosperous reign. The accession psalms and hymns were nicely sung by the choir. The Rev. A. D. Mitchell preached from Romans XIII, 1.-"Let every soul be in subjection to the higher powers." He said that it was not certain why St Paul wrote this, but it is thought perhaps that as he and his followers were servants of Almighty God there was no special reason why they should obey the laws of man. Several instances were given where people in high situations were always in subjection to the higher power of Almighty God, who is ruler of the earth and sea. It is known how Adam had power over beasts, and how God gave to Abraham power of the nations around, also to Moses but these were in subjection. In the home the father of the family is the ruler of all that dwell therein, and he is responsible for the bringing up of bis children. Of course St. Paul was writing of State government. God is the source from whom all authority to rule or reign can possibly come. In referring to the long reign of Queen Victoria, the preacher commenced at the early stages of her life, when she was first made aware of her position as Queen of England at the death of William IV; how all the nobles came to pay respects to the young queen. Then when the Queen partook of her first communion, in doing so she recognised the higher power by removing her crown. From the outset the Queen was a thoroughly religious and moral woman. No earthly Court is higher than that of Victoria. The Queen also recognised the valuable services rendered to the nation by the great men and premiers, such as Sir Robert Peel, the Earl of Derby, Lord Palmerston, Mr Gladstone and Lord Salisbury. Queen Victoria is the greatest gentlewoman of the 19th century. She is a godly mother, and her desire is to do good in whatever state it might be her duty to be called. Her reign of 60 years has been a most glorious one, and she is an example to christian mothers all over the world. May God be still pleased to bless her and spare her to reign many more years.

The National Anthem was sung at the close of the service by the congregation. The offertories, morning and evening, were for clearing off a small debt in connection with the church.

At the Presbyterian Church, Queestnown, on Sunday evening, the Rev R. Blair preached from I Cor., XV, 25:—"For he must reign, till He hath put all his enemies under His feet." After reference to the prophetical and priestly work of our Saviour, the preacher said that in the prophecy of Zecbariah the Messiah was referred to as a crowned priest. The kingly and priestly offices were kept separate, and the functions of either could not be performed by one belonging to the other order. It was prophesied of Christ that his throne should endure forever; yet, during His earthly life, a cross was the ne re >t thing to a throne he occupied. There were times when his kingly nature displayed itself, as when He brought peace by a word when fierce storms were raging ir the sphere of nature or cen in the moral sphere, as in the case of the poor demoniac. But no earthly king was ever adorned by each dig-

nity and nobility as sat upon the Saviour's brow whilst He hung upon the cross, and no monarch's triumph ever equalled His dying shout, "It is finished" ; for, as he looked over His life from manger to cross, He caW that it was perfectly free from blemish. After His resurrection, He declared "All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth," and the use He makes of this power is entirely beneficent. This week there will be great processions and other demonstrations in honor of Queen Victoria. Millions of money will be spent. Many of us will take part in these celebrations who would be ashamed to march or spend an equal sum of money in honor of King Jesus, the Great King. He must reign because His reign is a right n ons one, His sceptre is a sceptre of uprightness. No other, not even the Father Himself, could occupy His throne. We can* not say of any earthly monarch, " He must reign " —Even our good Queen must soon cease to reign. To-day we hear a nation's joy, but we know not how soon we may hear a. nation's lamentation. His reign never ends, although the word " till" the resurrection might seem to imply its close. It only means' that He will cease to reign as Mediator, that He may reign as God—His commission will then have been fulfilled. Onr Queen has many enemies—nations, societies, and individuals, and some of these may prove too strong for her and bring her reign, or even life, to a close. But Christ never trembles on His throne, He will overcome all His enemies, some by love and some by power.. Death and grave will conquer Queen Victoria, but Christ has already conquered these both for Himself and those who put their trust in Him. Sorrow and sighing are to fiee away, for these, along with death, are part of the wages of sin. All who seek in any way to degrade man are the enemies of Christ and will be completely subjugated. At the name of Jesus every knee shall bow,, but there are some here who will not willing., ly bow. Oh, how awful it will be-to be compelled to bow. It will overcome the «n3miee> within us as well as those around us, and'may His Spirit lead you to give Him the throne of your heart that you may experience thebeneficence of His rule over your life.

At the conclusion of the service the whole congregation stood and joined in singing three' verses of " God save the Cueen."

A special service in celebration of the 60th> anniversary of the Qneen's accession to the' throne, wes held in the Wesleyan Church,. Queenstown, on Sunday morning, 20th June. The Rev. W. A. Gann preached from thetext, I Kings, 6, 7. —" And the house, when, it was in building, was built of Btoue made ready before it was brought thither, bo that there was neither hammer, nor axe, nor any tool of iron heard in the house while it was in building." The rev. gentleman made reference to the continuous and rapid development of the British Empire, politically, scientifically, socially, aad religiously, during the past 60years. The National Anthem was sung at the close of the service..