THE MIGHTY DEAD.

Mataura Ensign, 21 May 1910, Page 6

THE MIGHTY DEAD.

LONDON, May 20. The route of jthe funeral procession was lined with purple and white Venetian masts, whence flags were halfmasted; including those of all the colo- ': nies, and thousands of laurel wreaths, many from boys' brigades, working 1 men'B clubs, mothers' meetings, Primrose habitations and orphanages. The clubs in Pall Mall, St, James' «treet, and Piccadilly were draped with violet or black, Apsley and Grosvenor bouses in purple, the Ritz and Berkeley hotels and the majority of private houses similarly. A great purple arch was erected at Paddington, surmount- . «d with a crown, inscribed, "Farewell." j3ever;4 big public stands were erected at tl i Horse Guards' Parade, where \ "were th Dartmouth and Osborne naval tsadetß r :d the boys of the Greenwich Hospita" ; chool. At the Colonial Office there «•••'■; a stand for distinguished visiting f <lonials,. including Sir W. Russell; Drs Levinge and McArthur, Mrs .'• TJolleston, Callender and-Mal-colm Boss, Judge Denniston, Hons. S. Th'orne-George and C. H. Louisson and Lady Stout. In the windows of the Government Offices at Whitehall were 150 Chelsea pensioners. Yeomen of the Guard were stationed at the Fairy Court, Whitehall, 2000 London Territorials at the Marble Arch and another 2000 near Apsley House. The music between Westminster and Paddington was Beethoven's "Trauer Marsch" in B flat minor, the "Dead March" in "Saul," Chopin's "March , Tunebre," and Beethoven's "Opus 26." The coffin was received at the west door by the Archbishops of Canterbury, York and Winchester, the Dean of "Windsor, canons, minor canons, lay clsrks, and choristers of the chapel. - "As the procession moved to the nave file choir chanted the opening sen- , tences of the service. The procession moved into the choir, the Earl-Marshal, the Lord Steward and the Lord Chamberlain immediately preceding the coffin. 'The coffin rested at the end of the, . nave, King George standing at its head. The choir sang Psalm 90 and the nymns, "My God, my Father, while I stray," "Now the Laborer's Task is O'er," and the anthem "I Heard a Voice" and Handel's "His Body is Buried in Peace." ROUTE PACKED BY 7 O'CLOCK. LONDON, May 20. Crowds were astir at daybreak and "the accelerated train, tram and motor ' service proved quite inadequate. By 1 o'clock the route was packed. LYING IN STATE CONCLUDED. LONDON, May 20. The lying in state concluded quietly. FRANCE AND AMERICA HONORED. LONDON, May 20. . At a dinner party at Buckingham Palace sixty guests were present, M. Pichon (French Foreign Minister) and «x-President Roosevelt being the only guests outside Royalties. Afterwards King George gave audience to the visiting suites. IN MEMORIAM CONCERT. ADA CROSSLEY OVERCOME. , LONDONj May 20. , . At an impressive in memoriam concert at the Queen's Hall, Madame Ada Crossley gave an inspired rendering of "O Rest in the Lord," but towards the close was so overcome that she was ■unable to finish. Later she sang Sullivan's "God shall wipe away all Tears." The great audience listened in reverent silence throughout the concert. KAISER AND KING. LONDON, May 20. The Kaiser landed quietly at Port Victoria and took train for London. The King, the Duke of Connaught, Princes Edward and Henry and other welcomed ; _■■ him at Victoria station. The moment the train came to a standstill the' Kaiser leaped bareheaded on to the p'lat- ■;"■» farm and, seizing the King's right hand with both bis own, greeted him with the utmost heartiness, kissing him on both cheeks. He then greeted the others in turn and finally accompanied the King • to Buckingham Palace. After the Kai- < ser and King George had gazed for some moments on the bier the passage .' of the queue was cheeked and both passed within the barrier to a position at he head of the coffin. The Emperor toid a splendid wreath on the catafalque, knelt in prayer, rose and looked feelingly at the King and stretched out his hand. Both grasped hands firmly and turned as though instinctively towards the coffin. In the eyes of each ; "were traces of tears. SYDNEY'S TRIBUTE. A CITADEL OF SILENCE. SYDNEY, May 20. ( The last tributes to King Edward were paid to-day by crowded congregations in all churches and at the State memorial service held in Centennial Park at the historic spot where ten .yearv ago the Australian Commonwealth was inaugurated. The day was • beautifully fine. Business was entirely . suspended and the city during the afternoon was a citadel of silence. All public buildings and business houses were draped in black and purple. At noon the tram traffic was sioppsd for . five minutes, and the quietudeof the cily was profound. Thenceforth the - populace streamed in from all the sub-

KING EDWARD LAID TO REST.

AN EMPIRE'S MOURNING.

THE FUNERAL PROCESSION.

urbs ' making their way to Centennial Park. Over 100,000 assembled round the dais, which was occupied by iihe State Governor (Lord Chelmsford), members'of the Ministry, judges of the High Court and Supreme Court, and other notables. Amidst the soft rumbling of muffled drums the Union Jack was hoisted to the masthead, and as the massed bands played the opening bars of Chopin's "Funeral March" the flag was dropped to halfmast. The Primate delivered an address, and the Liedertafel sang "The Long Day Closes," "Every Rustling Tree," and "In Memoriam," to which the great concourse listended with impressive stillness. Then 400 children, clad in white, sang, "Nearer, My God, to Thee" and "Abide with Me," with thrilling effect. The Philharmonic Society rendered "Blessed are the Departed" and "Brother, Thou are Gone Before." After the religious services concluded the "Dead March" in "Saul" was played and the ceremony ended .with the "Last Post." CORE'S MEMORIAL SERVICE. AN IMPRESSIVE GATHERING. | The most impressive public ceremonies ever held in Gore took place yesterday, when, in common with a'l the other centres of the Dominion, memorial services in connection with the death of the late King were carried out. A close holiday was observed, and at noon the bell in the post office tower was solemnly tolled, the church bells being similarly rung until 2.30 p.m., the hour of the services throughout the Dominion. The defence forces paraded at the Town Hall and marched to the Dominion Hall, where the service was held. There was a very large muster, the paraed state being as follows—Staff (Captain Domigan, in command, Chaplain-Major Gray and Staff Sergeant - Clerk Boyne), 3; Gore Rifles (under Captain Fraser, with him Lieutenants Shanks and Kelly), 45; Defence Cadets (under Lieutenants McKenzie and Ramsay), 26; Gore School Cadets (Captain Grenfeli and Lieutenant Lyttle), 54; Gore Boy Scouts (under Patrol Scoutmaster Scott), 16. Headed by the Gore Brass Band, 27 strong, under Bandmaster Staines, the rear being brought up by his Worship the Mayor and several councillors, the parade marched, via Fairfield, Medway and Main streets, to the hall, where the Girl Peace Scouts, I numbering 28, also took part in the service. Prior to maTching off Captain Domigan stated that any who desired to attend services in their own church might fall out at a given point, and eleven availed themselves of this, six attending the Anglican Church. Along Main street to the hall the band played the "Dead March" in "Saul." The Dominion Hall, large as it is, proved none too commodious for the number attending the servicej as a great many could not find seats and had to remain standing. A choir of about 60 voices drawn from all the churches represented led the singing, under the conductor ship of Mr D. Thomas. the Mayor (Mr D. L. Poppelwell), who presided, addressed the assemblage. "We are met together," he said, "drawn by a national sorrow, one which affects King and commoner. The death of our beloved King recently fell upon us as a blow, and to-day millions throughout the world join together and mingle their tears beside, as it were, the open grave of our great and noble King. We in these remote parts of the great British Empire naturally do not feel that we have that personal knowledge and acquaintance with the Sovereign that those nearer to the centre of the nation have, but we cannot but" feel what the world has lost by his demise. He was born to great things, and great things were expected of him when he came to the throne. His subjects were not disappointed in their expectations of him. He brought to the throne with him vast wisdom, experience and marvellous kingly attributes of every kind. His watchwords were, 'Duty, peace, tolerance and justice,' and thus it is that all, sections of the community join together now and lament his loss, not only to the Empire but to the whole civilised world. Much of his work is not seen or heard of at all; in fact, a great deal of it probably will never be heard of, but the nine peaceful years of his reign will always speak eloquently of his influence in the councils of the world. We can. recognise those qualities and best pay our tribute to them by each of us in our own sphere determining as far as possible to follow in his footsteps and to show our patriotism in the same way, so that when we have to meet the death which comes alike to King and commoner we shall be able to say 'we have fought the good fight' which has been the record of our late lamented King. King Edward leaves behind him the noble QueenMother, who has been a worthy help to and also a son who must feel keenly the poignancy of their grief." The Mayor then moved the following resolution, which was seconded by Councillor Baker and carried in silence, the congregation standing:— That the Mayor, councillors, burgesses and residents of Gore and of the district, in meeting assembled, express their deep regret at the death of our beloved King, Edward VII., and herebv tender their heartfelt condolences to the Queen-Mother and the Royal Family in their bereavement. * The Rev. A. Gray (Presbyterian) then took charge of the meeting, the service being opened with the singing of the hymn, "Nearer, My God, to Thee." The Rev. G. Hervey (Congregational) engaged in prayer, and the Rev. W. Greenslade (Wesleyan) read Psalm 90. The hymn; "Peace. Perfect Peace," having been sung, Mr J R iClarke (Church, of Christ) read 1 Cor xv., 20-26, 51-58. ' | The Rev. A. Gray delivered the ad-

dress, in the course of which he said that events which broke up fountains of tears and made us weep as individuals were of frequent occurrence, and even in communities such circumstances were not altogether rare; but events which called forth the mourning of a whole nation occurred, thank God! but seldom. In such times, as individuals and as a nation, we turned instinctively to Almighty God, who was our refuge and a very present help in time of trouble. Never in the history of the world had there been such a day of universal mourning as that day. From the farthest bounds of the Empire there arose in the air the mournful tolling of muffled peals of bells, and dirges of lament were uttered in many tongues and in many lands. All races, all creeds, all denominations were that day lamenting. They united in one common bond of sorrow, for death levelled all ranksj and no creed could stay his coming. All hearts were knit together, for our tears flowed as from one common stream. "Death has come up into our windows and entered into our palaces." Our King is dead; the nation weeps and a whole world mourns in sympathy. "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God." Long ago these words were uttered by the King of Kings, the Prince of Peace, and never in the history of any individual since then was the truth of the beatitude more fully realised. Edward the Peacemaker was blessed to-day by Jew, Gentile, Catholic, Protestant, Hindoo, Buddhist, and Confucian; their differences were forgotten and all wrapped up in one common bond of love and loyalty to the King and grief at his death. It was only nine years ago when he came to the throne; the battle smoke had scarcely cleared from the battlefields of South Africa, and the bitterness of defeat was still in the breasts of the Boers. We remembered how the war was brought to a speedy termination because at the King's special request he wished to be crowned in peace. How well that peace had been maintained we know, and now we heard General Botha, in referring to the interview which he and Generals De la Rey and De Wet had with King Edward when they visited the Old Country, say they were all deeply impressed and had left the King with softer feelings, convinced that they could regard the King as a friend, the Sovereign of the nation to which they would henceforth belong. Nine years ago the feelings between us and various nations were somewhat strained. To-day we found Russia mourning three times more for King Edward than she would for any other Sovereign. The German Emperor was sincere in his grief and impressed the nation with a sense of the loss to the world througa the death of King Edward. Japan was declaring her grief as for the death of her own Emperor, and there were similar tributes from other nations. Within our own nation we could but dimly realise at this distance what a potent factor his late Majesty's influence had been in preserving peace between the great political parties, but we did realr ise that all the parties were one in their reverence and respect and in their grief at his death. He had endeared himself to all classes of the nation by a ready and practical sympathy shown at all times of disaster or calamity, and many were the incidents related of his acts of kindness to private individuals. His tact, his judgment, his influence with men and natibns, his love of peace, and his successful efforts to promote peace, might the-j not all be traced to this .quality in his character, his love for his subjects and for all his fellowmen? "And by this," said. Jesus, "shall all men know that ye are My disciples, that ye have love one toward another." This gave us the key to the King's whole character, that he recognised that great discipleship and that he was a servant and a follower of the King of Kings. The motto of his whole life was, "I serve." How faithfully he fulfilled that was shown by his devotion to duty almost to the hour of his death. He died as he had lived—in harness. As a King he lived the life of the righteous, and in his death his last end was like that of the righteous. Short as his reign had been it had been long enough for him to become firmly enthroned in the hearts of his people. Many of us had never seen the King, but we had often been touched by his influence, and we felt sorrowful at his death. How much more acute was the sorrow of the wife and family? MiGray concluded:—"We therefore commended to the loving sympathy of our Lord the Queen-Mother and all the Royal Family, and pray that God in His richest mercy may enable them to look beyond death to eternal life, beyond the grave unto heaven, beyond this last sad parting with all that is mortal to the bright meeting in immortality. 'The King is dead! Long live the King!' we say. King Edward has passed to his eternal rest and George. V. has commenced to reign. May the Lord God of Hosts endow him with the spirit of wisdom and of might that he may rule over us, so great a people. Amen and amen." The hymn, "Days and Moments Quickly Flying," having been sung the Rev. W. Perry (Baptist) offered up prayer, this being followed by the singing of "Abide With Me" to band accompaniment. The service concluded with the pronouncing of the Benediction by Captain Atkinson, of the Salvation Army. Prior to dispersal the band played the "Dead March" in "Saul." ANGLICAN SERVICE. In conformity to instructions issued by the Most Rev. the Primate that special services be held simultaneously throughout the diocese of Dunedin, the Rev. A. Wingfield conducted a service at Holy Trinity Church yesterday afternoon. The church was crowded to the doors and the choir was present in full force. The altar, lectern and pulpit were draped in black. The order of the service was that used at Westminster Abbey on the occasion of the funeral of Queen Victoria. The lesson was from 1 Cor. xv., 20-58, and the Psalms v., xxiii. and xxvii. The processional hymn was "Days and Moments Quickly Flying," and the recessional "On the Resurrection Morninq;," the late King's favorite, "Nearer, My God, to Thee," being also sung. At the conclusion of the service the organist (Miss A. Wallis) played the "Dead March" in "Saul." The Vicar's addi-ess was as follows: My bretbre?i, w join to-dny not in any ostentatious display of our ability or otherwise to pass a eulogy on the life and work of our late Sovereign Lord, His Majesty King Edward, of Blessed

and Glorious Memory, but in a most solemn and impressive religious service—a service hallowed to us through its use throughout the centuries; sacred to us specially to-day when wo remember that our late King joined oftentimes in this same service—which is for the most part taken from "The Office for the Burial of the Dead"— when called upon as he was from time to time to take his place at the silent portal of the tomb. It is a solemn and inspiring thought for us to know that in every part of our Empire the nation is uniting in offering up these prayers and joining in this very service which we now reverently offer at the Throne of Grace. Our thoughts are carried back to that grand, and united, and solemn service held on the occasion of the funeral of our late illustrious Queen, Queen Victoria, when this service (which was issued by the Most Bev. the Primate for us to-day throughout the diocese) was used in Westminster Abbey and in other parts of our glorious Empire. We have given expression already to our estimate, and to the estimate of our nation, of the beneficent rule of our late King, and it would be like painting the lily for me to attempt to add to these expressions of loyalty and national appreciation, which have been so well expressed in the Motherland and by our leaders in this Dominion beyond the seas. Jn mind and heart we follow those mourners in the far r off distant land; and we ■ take our places in that sad procession, slowly wending its way along the crowded streets of the great metropolis of our Empire, bearing the last mortal remains of our late and beloved Sovereign to their last resting place. Our hearts are too full to permit us to mix up such a sacred scene with the frailties of human life: we simply take our place as reverent mourners and offer up our prayers and praises in common with those millions throughout the Empire who form that great throng of the Church militant here on earth. We feel that the whole position is sacred to us and that our one grand and united service will not be offered in vain. We think, in the quietness of God's House, not only of the nation's loss but of those mourners of the Royal household whose depth of sorrow we cannot fathom, but whose welfare we have solemnly committed to the King of Kings, to the God and Father of us all. As we go out from this solemn service to take up once again our various positions in the work-a-day world and to engage in the commonplace duties of life let us not be unmindful of the part we can each take in the promotion of the welfare of our new Sovereign and our Empire. The prayers of the nation, we believe, have been answered over and over again in blessing abundantly the efforts' of the rulers of our Empire in promoting justice, righteousness and peace to all people. Let us solemnly remember this as we leave the mortal remains of our late King in the safe keeping of the .Great Eternal. We leave this scene to-day surely with our eyes fixed upo 1 the great and glorious second convng i;f the Heavenly and victorious K'wz, Whose comj'ng will be berakbd l-y '.he voice of the Archangel and by tintrump of the Eternal God. ! MAT AURA SERVICES. The congregations of the Presbyterian Church and Church of Christ met in the Presbyterian Church, where a memorial service was held. Prior to the service members of the local cadets and Mataura Falls Lodge of Oddfellows paraded at the Horticultural Hall and marched to the church, headed by the Pipe Band. The church was crowded to the doors and a number of seats had to be placed in the aisle to accommodate all. The service was conducted by the Rev. G. McDonald and Mr T. J. Bull. The late King's favorite hymns were sung during the service, and Mf J. C. Abernethy sang "Vital Spark." The altar of the church was draped in black, with a bowl of chrysanthemums placed on top of the organ. At the conclusion of the service Miss Winning, who presided at the organ, played the "Dead March" in "Saul." A memorial service was also conducted in St. Saviour's Church, M itaiira, by Mr J. C. MacGregor. There was a big congregation and special psalms and hymns were sung. The organist, Miss Stevens, played the "Dead March" in "Saul" at the conclusion of the service. Services were also held at Mandeville and Riversdale. WELLINGTON'S LAST TRIBUTE. WELLINGTON, May 20. In commemoration of the late King all business premises were 'closed throughout the day and general mourning was observed. H.M.s. Pioneer, now in port, firod minute guns this morning and again about 3.45 p.m. His Excellency the Governor attended a memorial service at St. Paul's ProCathedral at 10.30 this morning. The church was crowded. The service opened with the process sional hymn, followed by the solo, "I am the Resurrection and the Life." Then Psalm 90 was sung, and the Rev. T. H. Sprott read the lesson, taken chiefly from the Burial Service. The anthem, "Wreaths for our Graves," was sung by the congregation, and tliis was followed by special prayers for the late King and the Royal Family, given by Archdeacon Fancourt. The solo was sung, "Then shall the Righteous shine forth." A hymn, "On the Resurrection Morning," followed, and the Benediction concluded the service, the congregation standing while the "Dead March" in "Saul" was played on the organ.

Although the morning service at the Basin Reserve was arranged principally for young people there were- considerably more adults present than children. The total attendance must have run into thousands. A platform was erected in the middle of the playing area, and between it and the fence, in front of the grandstand, stretched a closelypacked mass of cadets, boy scouts and children from various public and Sunday schools in charge of their respective teachers. The whole slope in front of the stand was occupied by adults (who were not admitted on to the turf). The sight from the platform was a most striking one—a perfect sea of faces all turned towards the speakers. The Royal mourning colors—purple and black—were everywhere in evidence and generally the whole assemblage gave token of having come together to pay a last reverential tribute to the memory of its dear departed Sovereign. Seats on the platform were occupied by Sir Joseph Ward, Hon. Dr Findlay and Mrs Findlay, Hon. E. McKenzie,

and Mrs McKenzie, Hons. T. Carroll, D. Buddo, T. Mackenzie and G. Fow'ds, Mr T. M. Wilford, M.P. (Mayor of Wellington), Hon. C. M. Luke, M.L.C., Mr J. P. Luke, M.P., and other leading citizens and ministers of religion. The service was one which will probably live long in the memories of those by whom it was attended.' The Rev. S. J. Serpell (Methodist) read the opening sentences of the Burial Service, tli Rev. W. Shirer (Presbyterian) read 1 Corinthians, chapter 15, verse 20 onwards, Mr J. Fluxe (schoolmaster) addressed the children present, and Mr H. N. Holmes (Y.M.C.A.) delivered an address. Appropriate hymns were sung and the Central Mission Band played "The Garland of Flowers." Long before the time appointed for the service crowds began to assemble at the old Parliamentary Buildings. The Garrison Band headed the procession, which was comprised of ( all military orders of the city, and played the troops to the grounds, which were filled to overflowing, thousands being unable :o gain admittance. The houses and roof tops in the vicinity were thronged witn people. Ninety per cent, of those present were in mourning. ' The Governor, escorted by the Heretaunga Mounted Rifles, arrived, and the ceremony began, Lord Plunket being supported on his le.t.f by the Prime Minister, Lady "Ward, Lady Stout, the Mayor (Mr T. M. Wilford, M.P.) an J military and civil dignitaries; on his right by the clergy of various local denominations. On the right of the clergymen the choir was seated. The service comprised hymns, prayers, addresses and the Benediction, the band contributing to the ceremony with the "Dead March." CHRISTCHURCH. CHRISTCHURCH, May 20. Enormous crowds attended the united memorial service held in Cranmer Square this afternoon. The Garrison Band played the funeral march "Jerusalem." Prayers were offered up nv Brigadier Albiston (Salvation Army), the Rev. T. Tait (Presbyterian) and Rev. D. McNicoll (Methodist). Addresses were delivered by Bishop Julius and the Rev. W. J. L. Cross (president of the Christchnrch Ministers' Association). Several hymns wore sung, the accompaniments being played by the Salvation Army Band, and the service closed with the "Dead March" by the Garrison Band. Special memorial services we.o held in the Anglican and Roman Catholic Cathedrals and other churches to-night. The day was observed as a close holiday, a general air of sorrow being manifested everywhere. DITNEDIN. DITNEDIN, May 20. The memorial services held in the different churches to-day were, very laigely attended. Impressive references to the late King were made by the preachers and appropriate hymns were sung. At the conclusion of the service the volunteers, of whom there was a large number on parade, marched to the Oval, where G9 minute guns wer" fired by the B Battery. The local Lodge of Druids met last evening, Bro. O'Kanc presiding, *-hs Lodge adjourning after passing a resolution of the Lodge's deep regret at tli,-' death of King Edward and its sense <>f the severe loss to the British nation an 1 world at large; also extending its sympathy to the Queen-Mother and members of the Royal Family.