KING AND EMPIRE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20893, 8 June 1931, Page 11

KING AND EMPIRE.

BIRTHDAY COMMEMORATION.

SPECIAL CHURCH SERVICE.

GOVERNOR-GENERAL ATTENDS

A solemn yet picturesque dignity marked the King's Birthday commemoration service held iti St. Matthew's Church yesterday morning, 'ihe Governor-Gen-eral. Lord Bledisloe, and the Lady Bleuis' loc. attended, and His Excellency read the lesson. The congregation included senior officers of the Navy and Army, whose uniforms lent a colourful touch to the assemblage, the Mayor of Auckland, Mr. G. W. Hutchison. members of the City Council, and other prominent citizens. Canon Grant Cowen conducted the service. A guard of honour was provided by the Legion of Frontiersmen, who were drawn up in two lines from the gato to Ihe door of the church, both upon the arrival and departure of the Governor-General's party. Flags were hung near the altar ana draped round the pulpit. Growth of the Empire. "It is fitting that His Majesty's birthdav should be solemnly kept in the house of God," said Canon Grant Cowen, in the course of his sermon. "It is fitting that we should pray for God's guidance of our King." The great growth of the British Empire had not been founded upon military power, but by those great spirits of Elizabethan times who ventured forth into all parts of the world. He felt that there was some great purpose behind it all. If they believed the Empire was a solely material thing, then a religious service was out of place; but it was because they realised that it was spiritual that they were gathered there that day. Since the war other thrones had fallen, but the British Throne stood to-day because behind it. was the spirit of democracy, love and unselfish service. The great love of the Empire for the Throne was shown during the King' 6 illness. Joy at his progress and recovery was world-wide. It was Ihe earnest hope of all that he might be spared for many years to continue the guidance of his people. Royal Family's Example. Behind the life of the Royal Family was a wonderful example to every one of the King's .subjects. They could study the j history of all democratic countries, hut they would come to the conclusion that the principles of democracy were nowhere carried out so well as in the British Empire. The Spirit of Christ—love, fellowship and brotherhood—was the strongest foundation upon which an Empire could be built. Tho Empire owed a debt of gratitude to its explorers, and they should remember with thankfulness the sons of Britain who, at sea and on land, had made the great sacrifice, not only in battle but in journeys of adventure. They welcomed that day the representative of the King, who had an honoured place in the hearts of the people of New Zealand. They welcomed also the representatives of tho Navy and Army, who had defended the Empire from the assaults of its enemies, and they welcomed those who, in the realm of civilian life, worked quietly and in less spectacular fashion for their fellow men. Best Seen In Adversity. Their sympathy and prayers went out to those who were now guiding the destinies of the Dominion through difficult times, but, if they looked back through the history of the race they would find that the British people had shown at their best in times of adversity. Tt, might be possible for them, through their patriotism—now that there was so much suffering and need as a result of unemployment—to help their country by being tactful and helpful, and by purchasing those things manufactured in New Zealand instead of those things manufactured abroad. Let them also try optimism, as pessimism would get them nowhere. There was a greater thing, however, than the recognition of Parliaments and Kings, and that was the recognition of the King of Kings. There was a. Greater Empire than any which the world had seen, or in which they lived to-day, and that was the Empire of God, which would go on eternally when theirs had passed away. "God save the King is our prayer today," said the preacher in conclusion. "May he ever give to our Empire peace and prosperity."