EXAMPLE TO SUBJECTS

Taranaki Daily News, 8 July 1929, Page 12

EXAMPLE TO SUBJECTS

KING AS SIMPLE WORSHIPPER RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE SICK. SERVICE AT ST. MARY’S CHURCH. Despite the stormy weather a good congregation assembled at St. Mary’s Church, New Plymouth, yesterday, to attend the special service of thanksgiving for the recovery of His Majesty the King. The special order of service as approved by His Majesty was used, Canon E. H. Strong, vicar of the parish, conducting the service. Basing his remarks upon verses !,■ 2 and 3 of the second chapter of the first epistle of ■St. Paul to Timothy: “I exhort therefore that first of all supplications, prayers, intercessions and giving of thanks be made for all men; for kings and for all that are in’ authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all goodpess and honesty, for this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour,” Canon Strong said:— “Sickness is the lot of all human kind. Whether trifling or serious it always reminds us of the shortness and uncertainty of '■'human life. Sickness, too, always calls out from people all their humane feelings and sympathy. If there be any doubt in regard to this among those who are always strong and in good health, a visit to the sick folk in our hospitals would soon make them realise how real is the sympathy for the sick and how its expression does lighten the load of suffering and put new heart into those who are patients. HELP FOR THOSE IN NEED. “Sickness throws upon all who profess and call themselves Christians an added responsibility; an added responsibility of prayer and of assistance for those in need. Why do we pray for the sick? Because, however we may look at things, life and health are gifts from God. At least, I do not think we are yet sufficiently enlightened to find any other source from which these gifts are derived. If health is interfered with we should -then approach the Giver of all good gifts and take counsel with Him in our need, for that is what prayer means. So we pray for the restoration of ourselves and our friends, and when God in His goodness answers the prayer we should go to Him and offer our thanks. To do so would be only good manners, yet there are many who seem to overlook the courtesy they owe to Almighty God for his deliverance and help.

“To-day our gracious Sovereign Lord the King kneels in the central shrine of the Empire to thank God for restoring him to health. It is a hallowed spot in which His Majesty the King worships. Behind him the simple grave of the Unknown Soldier; before him the gorgeous altar; near him the magnificent vaulting and rich carving of the chapel of King Henry VH with the banners of the Knights of the Order of the Bath hanging there; while stretching away is the vast and wonderful edifice in all its beauty and historical significance.

“And amongst all this Hie King comes as a simple, kindly Christian man, with the Queen and with his family, to thank Almighty God for his recovery. Are we all so careful of our manners towards Almighty God as our King? We go to hospital and receive there the best of care and attention and all that sympathy and prayer can do towards our recovery, but when we are better, do we remember to thank God? We should take the King’s example to heart. Though the head of the nation he kneels to thank God for his recovery. With him is our gracious Queen, whose constant attention and devotion to her husband, and unwavering attention to duty without panic and with quiet assurance, has called forth the admiration of the nation. The King and his family are interwoven with the fabric of our national life, and to-day we are bidden to join with him in thanks to God for deliverance from sickness. FIRMER THAN EVER. “I want you to think of these things, of the example which our King set us here to do our best under God for the good of this part of the Empire. The King is, under God, the head of the nation; and Christians should therefore 'be foremost in upholding his dignity and throne. We have seen thrones totter and fall, but the British throne' is firmer than ever. “There are those who would try new theories of government and think that in every new experience there is a better way, but that m not the custom of our Empire. We are prepared to examine and assimilate what is suitable in new methods, but we do not throw away the wisdom learnt by association, comparison and use of older experiences on the same lines. That is why we are enabled to remain a progressive nation. We are never ashamed to study new teaching and influences, but we must all stick together and never be ashamed of our country. There are some who seem to see good in any other country but their own. They

seem almost willing to agree that their own country is always wrong and that wisdom and experience belong wholly to others. “The King knows his conduct is a symbol and an inspiration for the nation, and so 'he comes to express his thanks to God for giving him back his life, and asks the nation to share that expression with him. He comes to worship as a simple, kindly, Christian gentleman, equally at home with any class among his subjects and an example to them all. How great a force that example is may not be fully realised today, hut I think historians of the future will consider the reign of King George V. as one of the landmarks of civilisation. Let us see to it that we accept the influence and example the King has set before us and remember when sickness is passed to give thanks to God.” Among those present at the service were:—The Mayor (Mr. H. V. S. Griffiths), Mr. S. G. Smith, M.P. (chairman’ of the Taranaki Education Board), Mr. J. S. Connett (chairman of the Taranaki County Council), Mr. C. E. Bellringer (chairman of the New Plymouth Harbour Board), Mr. C. H. Burgess (chairman of the Taranaki Hospital Board), and Councillor F. Amoore. At the close of the service a collection in aid of the earthquake relief fund was taken up.