GERALDINE

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

GERALDINE

LATE KING GEORGE MEMORIAL SERVICES Large congregations attended the memorial services to his late Majesty King George V. which were held in the Geraldine churches yesterday. Anglican Church At St. Mary’s Church yesterday morning the Rev. Canon J. F. Coursey officiated, and Miss Hughes presided at the organ. “ ‘The King is dead. Long live the King,’ ” said Canon Coursey, “has resounded throughout the Empire since Tuesday last, when we heard of the passing of our beloved King George. John Buchan in his review of the twenty-five years of King George’s reign, says ‘A new reign opens with ceremonial, the pageant of life and death, a King has gone; the King lives.’ I feel he strikes the true Christian note. Too often is our idea of death surrounded by a sorrow which is a survival of paganism and superstition. There is a sorrow which accompanies death, because it is farewell for a time to one whom we have loved. But while this sorrow is understandable, and was forever consecrated by our Lord as He stood by the grave of His friend Lazaris and did weep, there is also a joy in death if we believe that Jesus died and rose again. “It is with this twofold feeling of sorrow and joy that we meet,” he continued. “Sorrow for the loss of one who has been the father of the great family which inhabits the British Commonwealth of Nations. This grief is not forced; it is not,the result of emotion; it is the tribute of a great Empire to one who for more than 25 years reigned over it. These years have been years of change. King George came to the Throne in difficult days. In the middle of 1914 the peace of the Empire was broken and in August the King found himself leader of an Empire engaged in the greatest wap-, in history. With the conclusion of the war, post-war reconstruction had to be faced; unemployment became rife in England, Governments came and Governments went; difficulties were met on every side. Throughout all these troublous times the King quietly and tactfully laboured for the good of his people. “And so to-day we mourn the loss of a kingly King, a man of God, a true father and friend to his people. But there is joy in our hearts to-day. Our religion is one of hope. To us, death is not an end, it is a passing from one stage to another on the road of life; it is an entry into a fuller life. As we live here so we shall live hereafter. The King has gone. from amongst us. To-day we think of him as one of the great cloud of witnesses. He has entered into his rest and his retirement, free from the cares of State; free from the duties he so well fulfilled. Deeply conscious throughout his life of One who is greater than earthly kings, he who reigned in majesty over the countless millions of his Empire was not ashamed to bow in humility before the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. From God he drew inspiration, to God he went for guidance; strong in the strength which God supplies, he reigned wisely and well. We think of our King to-day as happy in his new home. ‘Well done, good and faithful servant’ has been said to him. He has laid down an earthly Crown; he has gained an immortal crown. Let us go forth from this service in proud and happy remembrance of one who on earth served God and his generation, and who, in Heaven, has seen God face to face.” Presbyterian Church Appropriate mourning draping was displayed at the Geraldine Prebyterian Church, where carnations —the late King’s favourite flower —were also used in the decorations. The Rev. W. J. Couling was the preacher, Mr C. S. Davies presiding at the organ. The playing of Mendelssohn’s “Funeral March” was followed by the singing of the National Anthem. “Nine months ago,” recalled Mr Couling in his address, “England rejoiced in the silver jubilee of her beloved King—to-day she mourns him. Just before the old year drew to its close millions heard the voice of their King as he delivered his Christmas message to his people, and those familiar words wafted over thousands of miles of land and sea to his great family—a father’s biassing upon his children which evoked from loyal hearts the prayer ‘God Save Our King. To-day that voice is stilled forever. The next Christmas message will be broadcast by a new voice—our new King Edward VIII. England weeps for her Father-King, the Empire mourns for her ruler, and the world bows in silence at the passing of a great and honoured man. England may have had greater kings—it is too soon, however to say that—but England has never had a King more revered and beloved by the people than our late King George V. No King has ever been mourned by so many classes, so many creeds, and so many of the common people. John Buchan had written of the late King, ‘The power of the Throne lies in what it is, but the authority of the King lies in what he is and in what he has done.’ “Therein lies the secret of King George’s influence,” continued the preacher. “He was a good man, a God-fearing man—the highest in the land, yet always the humblest. A man of simple faith in the Lord and Re- 1 deemer. A man who read the Bible daily. How many do that? A man who believed in prayer and prayed, .jo you pray? A King who I believe took his kingship as from the hand of God, which is the true Divine right ,of kings. King George was a true servant of his people. When he signed the oath of allegiance to the British Throne we are told he wrote slowly and deliberately as though weighing every stroke of his pledge to his people. Those memorable words of Christ must have been hidden in his memory, ‘He that is greatest among you is he that doth serve.’ We thank God that our k’.j King lived long enough to know how much beloved he was by his large family. The silver jubilee must have been the happiest days of his reign. It was really his coronation. It was then he knew he had won his crown by service, rather than inherited it by right of birth. His reign is over; his life is ended. We thank God that we had as ruler such a King, and with God, King of Kings, we leave him. Farewell beloved King. “Upon the young shoulders of Edward VIII. rest tremendous responsibilities,” concluded Mr Couling. “We need have no fear of our young King Edward. He, too, is beloved by his people. He has travelled far, learned much; he knows his people and the conditions under which they live and work. He has already declared his determination to follow his father’s footsteps and work as he did throughout his life for the welfare of all classes. I prey God to guide him to perform it. Under the guidance of God may his reign be peaceful and prosperous. May he prove a worthy son to a worthy father, and may God

long spare him to rule over us. God save our King.” Methodist Church Before the service at the Geraldine Methodist Church yesterday morning, the bell was tolled. The church was appropriately draped in black and purple, with mauve floral decorations, the Union Jack covering the Communion table. At the morning service, the Rev. W. E. Moore emphasised the personal attriutes of the late Sovereign. Mr Moore referred to his Majesty’s character and sense of deep responsibility at his accession to the Throne. King George was ever solicitous of the welfare of his people, no matter what their station in life. He endeared himself to all by his sincerity and simplicity in personal life, ever, with his , gracious Queen, setting a noble example of the importance of the home as the heart of the nation. He acted his religion and goes down to history not only as a great king, but supremely as a Christian gentleman. Appropriate hymns were sung and prayers offered for the Royal Family and King Edward VIJI., and the National Anthem was then sung. Mr E. B. D. Logan presided at the organ At the evening service Mr Moore portrayed the various phases of the King’s life, showing the preparation for a true kingship, which was the serving of the Empire as a trust from Heaven. Mr Moore also conducted a service at Hilton yesterday afternoon. Miss Pierce was the organist. Catholic Church “The late King was a gentleman who had a very exalted ideal of the regal character and who lived up to that ideal throughout a long career,” said the Rev. Father M. J. Fogarty, parish priest at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, in his sermon at the celebration of Mass yesterday morning. “Gifted with a great understanding,” continued the preacher, “he was sympathetic and fair-minded. He was eminently a man of peace. He avoided from the very beginning of his reign any gesture that would in any way cause unnecessary pain to any section of his subjects. His intention always was to do an act of Christian kindness. His subjects have been instructed by his gallant deeds, edified by his example, and, now that his course is run, they will bless his memory and pray for his everlasting repose.” PERSONAL Mr H. J. Bowkett has left for Christchurch. Mr and Mrs H. Russell left on Saturday to spend a holiday at Sumner. Mr W. McClure is on a visit to Invercargill. Mr and Mrs F. J. C. Turner, Southburn, are the guests of Mrs H. Turner. Mr G. H. Patrick, who has now left the Ashburton Hospital, is making good progress, and is convalescent at the home of his daughter, Mrs Taylor, Winchmore. Procters, the Premier Opticians Christchurch, will be making their next professional visit to Geraldine, on Wednesday, 12th February, when they may be consulted on all defects of eyesight at the Crown Hotel. Appointments can now be made by ringing Mr Morris Williams, chemist. 'Phone 61. ..