The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-06-21
United States and other Foreign Rep
resentatives Attended the Serv-
ices in ST. PauFs.
POET AUSTIN'S CRIPPLED ODE
CELEBRATION IN VERSE OF THE
SOVEREIGN'S LONG REIGN.
Prayers for Her Majesty in American
Churches-StOry of Attempts to
Assassinate Victoria.

LONDON June 20-Queen Victoria began
the celebration of her diamond jubilee to-
day, as was fitting her entire career, be-
fore the altar of her faith.
Throughout London, the United
Kingdom and the empire, in ev-
cry cathedral, church or chapel of the
established Church of England was held
services similar to those at ST. Georges
Chapel, Windsor where her Majesty paid
her devotions, and offered solemn thanks to
God The announcement that the services
at st. Georges Chapel would be private and
for the members of the royal family pre-
vented the gathering of large crowd. The
scene was most impressive and the service
very simple. Her Majesty sat in the chair
of state Immediately in front of the COM
munion rail and just beside the brass plate
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 en-
tered first, followed by the military knights
of Windsor in the full costume of cooked
hats and scarlet coats. The Duke of Devon
shire and Lord Rosebery occupied their
stalls as knights of the garter. The rest of
the church was empty the seats OF the royal
family being near the Queens. The dean of
Windsor. wearing the insignia of chaplain
of the Order of the Garter, of1ciated, as
sisted by the Lord Bishop of Barry and
several canons.
Punctually at IL o'clock amid soft strains
Of an organ voluntary, the Queen arrived
from the cloisters at the entrance. Assisted
by her Indian attendant, she walked slowly
to the chair of state, the congregation
go,
cept for a white tuft in her bonnet. EN-
press Frederick of Germany, in deep black
took the seat at the right of the Queen,
while the Duke of Connaught, caring his
Windsor uniform, seated himself at her left.
The others grouped closely behind and
looked very like simple family of wor-
shippers. Among them were the Duchess of
Connaught, 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. Ordi-
nary morning prayers began with a short
exhortation from First Timothy and the
suffrages after the creed contained these
sentences
PRESTO Lord have the Queen
Answer-Who putteth her trust in Thee.
Priest-Send her help from Thy holy place
Answer-And evermore nightly defend
her.
Priest-Let her enemies have no advan-
Answer-Let not the wicked approach to
hurt her.
After the first collect, a special collect
was read and instead of the usual prayer
for the Queen and royal family, two special
prayers were substituted, containing the
following:
Almighty God, who rulest over all the
n Of fhxv,.
according to Thy good pleasure we yield
Thee unteigned thanks, for that Thou vast
pleased to PLACE Thy servant, our sovereign
lady, Queen Victoria, upon the throne of
this 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. Direct all her coun-
sells and endeaVors to- Thy glory and the
welfare of her people; and give US grace
to obey her cheerfuIly. Let her always pos
sess the hearts of her people; let her reign
be long and prosperous, and crown her with
immortality in the life to come"
A special prayer for unity was said, and
there were special psalms and gospels used
instead of those for the day, the gospel be-
ing the sixteenth verse of the twenty-second
chapter of ST. Matthew: Render, there
fore unto Caesar the things which are
Caesars
There was no sermon, but a special hymn,
written by the Rt. Rev. William Walsham,
Lord Bishop of Wakefield with music by
Sir Arthur Sullivan, was sung at her
Majesty's request. The third verse was as
follows:
20 royal heart, with wide embrace
For all her children yearning;
oh, happy realm, such mother grace
With loyal love returning;
Where England's flag flies wide unfurled
All tyrant wrongs repelllng;
For mans brief earthly dwelling.
RefOra the hanedictiOn Ihe following SDe-
cial thanksgiving was offered
IS 30 Lord. our heavenly father, we give
Thee hearty thanks for the many blessings
which Thou hast bestowed upon us during
the sixty years of the happy reign or our
gracious Queen Victoria. We thank Thee
Tor progress made in knowledge of Thy
marvellous works, for increase OF comfort
tween rich and poor, for wondrous preach
ing 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 rendered
the musical portion OF the service, Sir
Walter Parrett presiding at the organ. The
service lasted forty minutes, the Queen re-
naming seated throughout and following
closely the special prayers and hymn.
At the end there was a pause. The
Queen, with bowed head continued in silent
PRAYER, Then IOlloWeu Il IOuchlng scene
which will ever linger in the memory of
those who witnessed it. Summoning EN-
press 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 bended knee
a similar token of affection. In many cases
the recipient was kissed several times
The Queen was profoundly moved and
tears rolled down her cheeks. At last and
evidently with great reluctance, she beck
oned her Indian attendant, and leaning on
her arm passed slowly out of the chapel
the entire congregation standing, the soft
light falling through the multi-colored win
dows, and the exquisite strains of the or
gan rising and swelling beneath the Gothic