TEMUKA

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLI, Issue 20326, 27 January 1936, Page 3

TEMUKA

IN MEMORY OF KING GEORGE SERVICES IN THE CHURCHES In all the local churches memorial services for the late King George V were held yesterday. A feature of the observance was the unusually large congregations, in itself an eloquent tribute of universal love and esteem. The official observance of the occasion took place at the Anglican Church where the Mayor (Mr A. W. Buzan) and councillors, ex-soldiers of the district and the Highfield Scout Troop, which Is camping in the locality, attended. The seating accommodation had to be increased with chairs in all the available spaces in order to accommodate the congregation. At St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church reference to the loss sustained by the Empire in the death of the King was made at both Masses: while at the Methodist and Presbyterian Churches memorial services befitting the occasion were also held. The King as a Man At St. Peter’s Anglican Church, the service was conducted by the Rev. C. L. Mountford, who referred to His Majesty’s worth as a man and to the deep spiritual guidance that he sought and received throughout his reign. “It seems only a few weeks ago that we met here for a service of thanksgiving on the occasion of the King’s jubilee. Now we are here to take our part in the Empire’s hour of mourning for our King,” said Mr Mountford. "It is not part of our English nature to be very demonstrative, but when on Tuesday morning we heard the news of the King’s death most of us were more moved than we cared to admit. We mourn our King as a man. We felt we knew him and we felt he knew us, and was a friend of the people. Our trials and difficulties were his own. He made them his own, with that wonderful gift of sympathy which he possessed. It was a wonderful tribute to him that all those who lived near enough, when they heard he was ill, should go to the palace and stand out all night waiting for any news of him. We mourn him also as a father —as the father of our great family of Empire. The great and real interest he took in all the countries under the flag was the greatest influence for keeping the spirit of unity within our Empire. One of the most recent photographs of him, showed him at his desk speaking into a micropl'one during his Empire broadcast. And as we listened we heard those gentle tones giving their message to us and the world. Time and again, he showed that he was all that a King should be. He upheld the dignity of his office and was a truly great leader. In the 25 years of his reign we often needed a leader and by the mercy of changes—some of them for good and some for b','l. The war and its aftermath, we al. know and we have seen times of greaj political unrest. Crowns have topped and revolutions have swept countries, but through It all he remained our King and leader. The throne of England has stood untroubled and has indeed grown more secure. The power behind the throne was indeed the power of God. It was the power of God that led the King throughout his life.” The speaker then referred to the fact that it was recently revealed that the King made it a practice throughout his life to read each night a chapter of the Bible. He then went on to quote John Buchan’s words, summing up the life of the King and what he stood for in the lives of the people. He then continued: "Although we mourn we do so with a deep sense of gratitude for our King who gave a life of service for us. We join too in offering our sympathy to our Queen in her hour of distress and we feel for the other members of the family. Our sympathy goes also to our King Edward who must lay aside his own grief and take up his responsibilities as ruler. At the conclusion of this service you will sing the first verse of the National Anthem, and as you sing it I want you to make it a prayer for him who meant so much to us—and, as through the years you become more and more accustomed to him on whom the Kingly responsibilities now rest, I want you to make it also a prayer for him.” At the close of the sermon the organist (Mr H. Talbot), played Mendelssohn’s "Dead March in Saul,” and the first verse of the National Anthem was sung. During the service Psalms 23 and four were sung, together with the hymns. “O, God. Our Help in Ages Past,” “Rock of Ages,” “Lead, Kindly Light,” and “O, God of Jacob.” St. Joseph’s Church At both Masses at St. Joseph’s Church the Rev. Father C. J. Outtrim, SJM., reminded his hearers of the distinguished career of His Majesty King George V. and of the universal sorrow among his subjects caused by his unexpected death. Catholics the world over joined with all sections of the community in testifying to the high esteem in which the departed monarch was held. Exalted dignity involved grave responsibility, so they could best show their loyalty to the much loved King by commending his immortal soul to the infinitely tender care of the Great King of Kings. Catholics would also pray that the reign of the new King would be like that of his father great and glorious. At the end of the Mass the organist, Miss Coughlan. played the "Dead March in Saul.”

A GREAT CHRISTIIAN. There was a large attendance at the Presbyterian Church including 30 Girl Guides, who are at present camping in the district. The Rev. A. C. Kennedy preached an appropriate sermon from Ps. 147, 30 and I John 4-16. "This service is one of mourning and praise," said Mr Kennedy. There has been a growth, chequered, but never broken through the past 1000 years, such as has been given to no other nation. The Throne of Britain has come from the years of tremendous crises, years of sudden, startling and far-reaching changes, years which have seen kingdoms topple over with a shriek, stronger and more firmly established than ever. It can be said af Britain to-day as it was said of Israel of old, God hath not dealt so with any nation, and it can b- said of King George as was said of Israel’s le'-'er,

the Lord his God was with him and the shout of a king was among his people. King George was a great Christian—a God-fearing, singlehearted, pure-minded Englishman. Through years of spiritual declension he remained faithful to God, true to his church and the whole-hearted supporter of every worthy spiritual enterprise. As King of the greatest Empire in the world he never missed an opportunity to honour the King of Kings. Religion was to him a great reality, a moral force, a spiritual dynamic. His whole personal life was that of a noble Christian gentleman, an example to his whole people such as is seldom given by kings. He was a great lover; a man of great affection, tenderness, sympathy, love—first for his family and also for his people. During war and at all times of trial and disaster—be it a railway accident, a shipwreck, a disaster of the air, or an earthquake in far off New Zealand, no inquiry was more urgent than that of the King, no expression of sympathv more genuine and sincere. This characterised him to the end. He that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God. King George dwelt in love. It was the atmosphere of his life. He was the atmosphere of his life. He was a great lover, because he was a great Christian. He was a great king, because he was a Christian king. He had discovered the Christian ideas and ideals of kingship and nobly approximated to these ideas and ideals. Through troublous years he made himself one with his people. He was King, but King chosen and reigning as the living emblem of the people's supremacy. He was no figurehead, but a great leader, keeping himself in as close touch with national and international affairs as any of his Ministers. He never spoke a foolish word, nor took a false step. He was a great King, because he was a Christian king with the Christian ideas and ideals of kingship; and while other kings with no other notion of kingship than autocracy were teased aside and broken on the rubbish heap’ he retained to the end the ever-deepening admiration, affection and loyalty of one fifth of the whole human race. When King George was called by the King of Kings to higher service, he left to his son, our Sovereign Lord King Edward VIII., the inheritance of a loyal and expanded kingdom, the wondrous inspiration of a noble character, and the memory of, perhaps, the greatest and best of all British Kings. The King is dead. —the King never dies. He that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God King George dwelt in love, King George dwelt in God and God in him. King George never dies." Methodist Church. The service at the Temuka Methodist Church, with suitable hymns and scriptures, was conducted by the Rev. R. P. Keall. The preacher based his address on the first seven verses of Psalm XXI. “This thanksgiving for the King presents also an ideal of kingship,”’ said Mr Keall. “Reading the verses carefully we realise something of the remarkable way in which our beloved King George reached and sustained that high ideal.' Truly he trusted in God and through the mercy of the Most High he was crowned with the best gifts. You will notice that the conviction of the psalmist, is that the best things in kingship and character can come only as the gift of God. From another point of view we reach the same conclusion. In the second verse of our National Anthem is the prayer, Thy choicest gifts in store, on him be pleased to pour. Recalling the character of our King and the vast difficulties of his reign, can we do other than recognise how remarkably this prayer has been fulfilled. What gift can be more choice than those personal qualities of heart and mind that have caused him to win and hold the admiration, the confidence and affection of his people. Was it not also a choice gift of divine providence that made it possible for him, sitting in the circle of his family, to speak directly to that larger family of hfs people in every quarter of the globe To convey his Christmas message and by the very sincerity recognised in his voice to awaken personal response <o the call of rigrteousneses and duty. Nor must we forget that even God’s gifts and purpose to bless are rendered useless unless on our part there be right response. The leader in the “London Times” ’emphasises that religion was real to him. In sincere and simple faith he fulfilled his duties in the sight of God. There was on his part whole-hearted consecration to the highest ideal of service, and involved in that the sometimes severe discipline of duty from which he never turned aside.” PERSONAL. The Rev. C. L. Mountfort, who has been vicar of St. Peter’s Anglican parish for the last three years, has received notice of his transfer to Sydenham. The removal will take place in about three months. Mr V. H. Thwaites, of the Christchurch West High School, has been transferred, to the position recently left by Mr A. McCallum on the staff of the primary department of the Temuka District High School. Mr and Mrs W. Knight, junr., and family have left Temuka to live in Christchurch where Mr Knight has secured a new position. THE KING’S FUNERAL. Consequent on a communication from the Prime Minister ( Mr M. 1. Savage) stating that King Edward VIII. did not desire a day of national mourning to be observed to-morrow for the King’s funeral, the activities of the district are to continue as usual. However, two minutes’ silence is to be observed at 11 a.m. and, in order that citizens may be reminded of the hour, the fire-bells are to be rung simultaneously at 10.58 a.m. At the Anglican Church there will be a service in the evening.