SERVICES IN OAMARU

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22790, 27 January 1936, Page 6

SERVICES IN OAMARU

Throughout the borough of Oamaru memorial services were conducted by *ll denominations, there being large attend* ances in every instance. ST. LUKE’S CHURCH A memorial service was hold in St. Luke’s Anglican Church, the special form of service for the diocese of Dunedin being followed. The service was conducted by the Ven. Archdeacon J. D. Russell, and the lessons were read by Mr S. A. Grave. Mr F. C. Burry played Beethoven’s Funeral March. The choir sang “ 0 Lord God Most Holy,” and the hymns “ O God Our Help,” “ Nearer My God to Thee.” and “ For all the Saints,” and Mr P. Linton Hodge sang the solo

“ I Heard a Voice from Heaven,” set to music by Mr F. C. Burry on the occasion of the death of King Edward VII.

In his address. Archdeacon Russell referred to the great spirit of reverence and devotion shown to their King, and said that anything that could be said had already been said in beautiful and heartfelt language by people throughout the world. Through the wireless and newspapers wonderful tributes had been made to their gracious King, and there was none but would feel that they had been absolutely well deserved as eulogies of their great and noble King, whose body was lying guarded by devoted and _ loyal soldiers of the King in Westminster Hall. He had had the privilege of being there, and he could think of the scene as thousands after thousands would file past in one continuous queue in silent and reverent devotion. None could come put unmoved. The lame and sick would be wheeled past their beloved King. How they would all love to be there and pay that tribute to . the King! Millions would like to do so, but they in New Zealand could do what was possible, and that was to respond to the appeal of the Government to go to their own churches and bow in silent homage in memory of the King. They were thankful to be able to do that. Archdeacon Russell said he had been thrilled with the tribute of the London Times, which he read from the Otago Daily Times to the congregation. He felt that was the note that must be struck that morning. It was a glorious fact that the King realised he was head ol the English Church ae well as of the British nation, and he loved the Church and gave himself for it. The Sabbath was honoured by hie worship throughout his life. They thanked God for that, and prayed and were sure that out of his life they would still have a man to carry out God’s Word, and who would in St. Paul’s words: “Fear-God; honour the King.” COLUMBA CHURCH The congregation of Columba Church assembled in large numbers yesterday morning for the memorial service which was conducted by the Revs, P. C. Rennie and J. E. Adams. Drapings in black and purple, together with the Union Jack, provided a suitable setting, and appropriate hymns were sung. Mr George Wilkinson (organist), played “I Know That My Redeemer Liveth ” before the service, and “ Coronach ” as a concluding voluntary. The anthem, “Crossing the Bar,” was rendered by the choir, and the kolo “ Eye Hath Not Seen ” was sung by Miss Hinkley. The act of commemoration, which was taken by the Rev. J. E. Adams, began with a reading from the Scriptures, after which the congregation -stood in silence. This was followed by prayers giving thanks for the life of King George, and asking consolation and strength for Queen Mary and all the members of the Royal Family.' Prayer was also offered for Edward and the British Empire. The Rev. P, C. Rennie, preaching from the words of Micah 6-8, “To do justly, to love mercy, to walk humbly with thy God,” said these words seemed to him to be an embodiment of their late King’s religion. He was so universally loved, so universally mourned. The world’s sorrow, the Empire’s poignant grief, the family sorrow and the individual grief were all tokens of a universal love. Today the sorrow was still keen, but they went on step by step facing the future with courage. It was well with the Empire. All was well. These words told them what a Christian should be, be he king or commoner, rich or poor- In their late < King they were the fulfilment. “To do justly.” If they vrent back 25 years they would discover this principle carried throughout. Not for one moment would one think otherwise. To the great business of Empire he attended daily at his post, punctually and regularly; working so many hours in the morning; he cleared it off, and always worked with a clean desk. He loved the justice of the British Empire. The British flag, wherever flown, was the symbol of justice between man and man and nation and nation. Just how much this justice wag could not be gauged. Truly he carried a great load. He never wavered in his desire for justice. Ever valiant of heart, he went forward. “To love mercy,” How many 1 gracious acts of the King were unrecorded they could not say. The recorded ones were numerous. Ho had a heart that felt for other’s woes. His work among, the wounded and his kindly words -to. them would not readily be forgotten. It was a talisman, a charm, and many had gone home with a smile, which bore witness of his gracious word. His visits to the hospitals, to institutions privately were many, and he ever strove to relieve pain, for these wounds were for the Empire’s cause. He visited the poor, the needy and distressed. He played many parts, for ‘ the quality of mercy is not strained.’ .Little children opened their eyes at his coming and wondered.

Their new King, King Edward VIII, had endeared himself to his people and to the Empire. He had striven that they should be better housed, better clothed, better fed. He was deservedly popular. He had travelled the Empire’s domains, and had seen the poverty and squalor, and had said such things shall not be in Christian England, and that they must have a brighter, better, and happier land. He waa the son of a noble sire. ST. PAUL’S CHURCH The preacher for the memorial service to the late King jn the St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church yesterday morning was Professor S. F. Hunter, of Knox College, Dunedin. Appropriate hymns were sung, and the choir rendered the anthem “What are these that are arrayed in white robes?” Professor Hunter took his text from Isaiah vi, 1; “In the year that King Uzziah died I saw also the Lord, sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up.” After referring to the earlier training of King George, his world tours, and the influence of Queen Mary on his character and work, the preacher dealt with certain qualities of the King! He spoke of his simplicity—he was an unostentatious English gentleman. Hie palaces were his home. He was free from those things that used to be associated with a monarchy—pride, pomp, and tyranny—and was truly the father and elder brother of his people.: Akin to this was his humanity and sympathy. He was interested in the industries and sports of his people. Their troubles evoked his sympathy. His riding through the East End of London during the jubilee celebrations, receiving the frank loyalty of those classes, which in other capitals are associated with revolutions, was a tribute to his sincere humanity. The Great War in which all shared a common danger, sorrow and victory, intensified attachment to the King. He became the symbol of Imperial unity.

Continuing, Professor Hunter said the King also showed wisdom and common sense, both in the simple functions of bis position, and in his work as a constitutional monarch. In this he compared favourably with some earlier British Kings and many contemporary sovereigns who lost their crowns. King George was also a worker, interested in Horae government and in the main movements of the dominions. A constitutional monarch might throw all responsibility on his Ministers, but he kept his office and office hours. Most important was the fact that the King was what his religion made him. His religion was personal and sincere. He acknowledged the Divine Sovereign as his King. He nad said that obeying a request of Queen Alexandra he read a portion of the Bible every day. He loved Blake’s "Jerusalem,” and made its closing lines bis own. WESLEY CHURCH During the course of his address at the memorial service held in the Wesley Church yesterday morning in the presence of a largo congregation, the Rev. J. F. Jack said that on that day they paid tribute to their dead monarch. The people in Oamaru and New Zealand formed a small section of those who paid their tribute to the King, who by his sterling character won the esteem and respect of peoples of every nationality the world round. Not only did the greatest Empire in the world mourn the passing of its leader, said Mr Jack, but all great nations joined with it in its sense of loss. In the life of the King as be had observed it three characteristics manifested themselves throughout his 25 years of reign—sincerity, courage and loyalty. In closing, Mr Jack said that he believed that the life of the late King should be an inspiration to them all—* Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime. And, departing, leave behind _U* Footprints in the sands of time.