THE CORONATION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22724, 10 May 1937, Page 11

THE CORONATION

, CHURCH SERVICES

PRAYERS FOR THE KING A SUCCESSFUL PAGEANT SYMBOLISM OF REGALIA Special prc-Coronation services were held in a majority of Auckland churches yesterday. For the usual order of service in Anglican churches were / substituted the two forms commended by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, one being used in the morning anil the other in the evening. The second form included an act in whicli those present dedicated themselves, after the King's example, to the service of God and of the realm and Empire. The', first form was used also jn a number of Methodist churches. The PresbVterian services were conducted according to an order issued under the authority of the New Zealand General Assembly. ' In most cases the choirs sang appropriate music, including anthems from the Coronation Service. No reference to the Coronation was made in Roman Catholic churches yesterday. as the celebrations throughout Nov Zealand are being reserved for Sunday next, the festival of Pentecost. Prayers for the King and Queen will be offered daily next week. In St. Patrick's Cathedral 011 Sunday morning Bishop Liston will celebrate Pontifical High Mass, in which blessings will be invoked upon the King and Queen and upon their reign, that it may be long and that thero may be peace among their subjects. Special prayers will be said in the evening at the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. National Patriotism Preaching in St. David's Presbyterian Church yesterday, the Rev. W. Bower Black said that the Coronation was not constitutionally necessary, since the King had already been proclaimed. It was a religious dedication, and unless the whole nation participated it could have but little significance. Such a dedication was timely in an era when internationalism was too often exalted and national patriotism declared to be unnecessary. The national spirit would probably be transcended one day by a larger loyalty, but to mako light of it to-day was not to hasten the coming of universal peace and goodwill. The first coronation recorded in the Bible, that of Joash, was recalled by the Rev. Dr. Alexander Hodge in his address ir# the Baptist Tabernacle last night. The account of this stated that the people shouted, "God save the King," and that Joash was surrounded by armed men bearing King David's trophies, which hung in the Temple. Similarly, said Dr. Hodge, those who surrounded an English King at his coronation bore the Bible and other symbols of the religion and institutions of the King's people. The Old and the New Worlds The King's real crowning was in the hearts of his subjects throughout a farflung Empire, said the Rev. 15. D. Patchett, in an address in the Epsom / Methodist Church. Of any circumstances would contribute to a great and generous gesture of goodwill toward the King and Queen as they went to their Coronation. Recent events had taught British, peofile how sensitively the honour of' the nation was bound up with the honour of the Throne. The Coronation required a King who in his heart desired to do homage to a greater King. In the ceremony the old and the new worlds would rub shoulders. A microphone for the first time would catch up the story and cast it to a listening world, drawing into one spirit of rejoicing at least a quai'ter of the /V inhabitants of the globe. Pageant in Church Numbers of people were unable to gain admission to the Church of the Epiphany last night when a "Pageant of Coronation Regalia" was held under the direction of the vicar, the Rev. Jasper Calder/ Anglican city missioner. Replicas of St. Edward's Crown, the sceptres, orb, swords, spurs and other regalia had been made for the occasion, and during the earlier part of the service were grouped on stands around the altar so as together to represent a huge crown. After 1 a fanfare of trumpets, an abbreviated form of the Coronation service was recited, the Rev. C. J. BushKing taking the part of the Archbishop of Canterbury and Mr. Calder that of the Dean ~of Westminster. The regalia was brought forward to the chancel step, while three announcers took turns in explaining the significance of each piece in words taken chiefly from great English poets. The part of the service relating to each was recited, and after another fanfare the congregation shouted, "God Save the King!" with great enthusiasm. The pageant was so successful that it is to be enacted again next Sunday night. Naval Services

Members of the Ex-Royal Naval Men's Association, headed by tbo Waterside- Workers' Band, held a church parade yesterday morning to the chapel' of the Missions to Seamen. An address oil the symbolism of the Coronation was given by the Rev. G. T. Robson, chaplain to H.M.k.. Philomel. Officers and men from H.M.fe. Achilles and H.M.S. Philomel attended a service conducted by Mr. Robson in the chapel of the Dcvonport Naval Base after "divisions" yesterday morning. The service was in a form appropriate to the Sunday before Coronation Day. PARADE IN HAMILTON 6T. PETER'S CATHEDRAL FILLED [FUOM OUII OWN CORRESPONDENT] HAMILTON, Sunday St. Peter's Cathedral, Hamilton, was filled to capacity this morning when a special Coronation service was held. , Among those present were the Mayor. Mr. .}. Fow, and members or the Hamilton Borough Council, ex-service-men, members of No. 2 Kick! Battery, under Major E. V. Clayton-Greene, members of the Waikato Regiment, under Major A. E. Gibbons; the Waikato Regimental Band, and members of the Hamilton Eire Brigade. J he form of service commended by th® Archbishops of Canterbury and lork was used by the dean, the Very Rev. E P. Weatherhog, who officiated. J lie lessons were N read by the Mayor, and the dean preached. The service was a Ve ry impressive one. DAY'S PAY FOR MINERS STATE COLLIERY WORKERS [BY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION'] WELLINGTON, Saturday An announcement that the Mines department has decided to pay employees of the State coal mines a day's - "'ages for the day they will lose by reason of the holiday on Coronation ', a y w as made last * evening by the Minister of Mines, Hon. P. C. Webb. . -"mister expressed the hope that j' coal mine companies would folow the G9vernment's lead.