The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-06-22
go YEARS
AQUEEN.
victoria's Diamond lubiles CsIe-
bration Begun.
IMPRESSIVE SCENE AT WINDSOR.
HER CHILDREN KNEEL BEFORE
HER AND RECEIVE HER BLESS
JNGs, WHICH ARE BESTOWED
WITH KISSES, WHILE TEARS
ROLL DOWN HER AGED CHEEKS.
A SCENE OF. GLORY MIXED
WITH PATEos

.WlJH PATE OS.
London. June 21.-Queen Victoria be-
gan the celebration of her jubilee yester-
day, as was befitting her entire career,
before the altar of her faith. Through.
out London the United Kingdom, and
the empire, in every cathedral, church, or
chapel of the established Church of Eng
land was held services similar to those at
st. Georges Chapel, Windsor, where her
majesty paid bel. .devotions, and offered
solemn thanks to God.
The announcement that the services at
st. Georges chapel would be private, and
for members of the royal family, prevent
ell Che gathering of large crowd The
scene was most impressive and the SER
vice very simple. Her majesty sat in a
chair of state Immediately in front of the
communion rail and just beside the brass
place whose inscription designates the
spot which was the temporary place of
interment of the Prince Consort,
The ladies and gentlemen who are the
grand officers of the queens household
entered first, followed by the Military
knights of Windsor, in full costume of
cock hats and Scarlet coats. The Duke
of Devonshire and Lord ..Rosebery occu-
pied their stalls as knights of the Earter.
The rest of the church was empty, the
seats OF the royal family being near the
queens.
The dean Of Windsor wearing the inti.-
mia of chaplain, ofIiciated, assisted by the
Lord Bishop of BarryTssnd several canons.
Punctually at II O'Clock, amid the soft
strains of an organ voluntary the queen
arrived from the cloisters ut the entrance.
Assisted by her Indian attendant, she
walked slowly to the chair of state the
congregation STANDING. She was dressed
AL in black, except for white -tuft in
her bonnet. Empress Frederick of Ger.
many, attired in deep black, took the seat
at the right OF the queen, while the duke
OF Connaught, wearing his Windsor uni
form, seated himself Mt her left. The
others grouped closely.behind, and looked
very like a simple family of worshippers.
Among them:were the duchess of Can
nauRht, Prince Henry of Prussia and
Princess Henry, Prince Christian and
Princess Christian. with their children:
Princess Henry of--Battenberg, the grand
duke Sergius, and the Grand Duchess.
After the first collect, special collect
was read, and, instead of the usual PRAYER
ior the queen and royal family. two spe-
cial prayers were substituted, containing
the following:
Almighty God, who rulest overall the
kings of the world, and disposest Of them
according to Thy good pleasure. we Weld
Thee unfeigned thanks, for that Thou
vast pleased to place Thy servant, our
sovereign lady, Queen Victoria, upon the
throne of the realm. Let Thy wisdom be
her aid, and let Thy arms strengthen
her. let Justice, truth and holiness; let
peace and love flourish in her days. Di.
rect all her counsels and endeavors TO
Thy glory, and the welfare of her people,
and give us grace 70 obey her cheerfully.
Let her always possess the hearts of her
people; let her reign be long and prosper.
Gus, and crown her with immortality in
the life to Gomez
Il special prayer for unity was said,
and there were special psalms and COS
pels used instead of those for the day, the
gospel being the sixteenth verse of the
twenty-second chapter of st. Matthew:
tender, therefore, unto Caesar the
things which are Caesars"
There was no sermon, but special
HYMN, written by Rt. Rev. William
Walsham. Lord Bishop Of Wakefield,
with music by Sir Arthur Sullivan, was
sung at her majesty's request.
Before the benediction the following
special thanksgiving was offered:
70 Lord, our Heavenly Father, we give
Thee hearty thanks for the many bless
ings which Thou has bestowed upon us
during the sixty years of the happy reign
OF cur gracious queen, Victoria. We
thank thee for progress made in 'knowl
edge of Thy marvellous works, for in
crease of comfort given to human life, for
kindlier feeling between rich and poor,
for wondrous preaching of the gospel to
many nations, and we pray Thee that
these and Thy many gifts be continued to
US and our queen to the glory of Thy
Holy name, through Jesus Christ, our
Lord. Amen"
The choir of ST. Georges chapel rem
dered the musical portion OF the service,
Sir Walter Parrett presiding at the or
gan. The service lasted forty minutes,
the queen remaining seated throughout
and following closely the special prayers
and hymn.
AT the end there was pause The
queen, with bowed head. continued in
silent prayer. Then followed touching
scene, which will ever linger in the mem
DRY of those who witnessed it. Sum
montng Empress Frederick. who bowed
low at her side. the queen kissed her on
both cheeks. The duke of Connaught
and the others of the family followed,
receiving ON Bonded knee a similar token
of affection. In many cases the reel Dient
was kissed several times
The queen was profoundly moved, and
tears rolled down her cheeks At last,
aud evidently with great reluctance. she
beckoned her Indian attendant, and lean