New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-09-13
THE GOOD QUEEN.
VICTORIA OF ENGLAND AND HER RE
LIGIOUS LIFE
THE RELIGIOUS LIFE AND INFLUENCE OF
QUEEN VICTORIA. BY Walter Walsh. &C.
taVo, PIP. 264 E 2. Dutton & Co

QUEEN VICTORIA. BY Walter Walsh &C.
tavo PIP 264- E. P. Dutton & Co.
The good woman whose relations TO religion
are discussed in this interesting volume was a
queen eFninently fitted to reign over a people of
many differing faiths. Her religious feeling was
deep and sincere. but it did not much depend
on dogma, and she had no special attachment
to forms. While she naturally and conscien-
tiously adhered to the Church in which she was
reared. she had a strong leaning toward Pres
byterianisIn. with its simple service She was
particularly fond of the plain little church near
Balmoral, and was accustomed to communicate
there after the Presbyterian manner. side by
side with the poorest of her Highland peasants.
She had sympathy with the ritualists. and it
Is stated that she never attended any High
Church public service nor permitted High
Church accessories at the private services held
for her. Prince Albert's influence confirmed in
her the preference for simplicity of ritual
descendant Of the first European ruler to en-
brace the Protestant Reformation. he was a
strong Lutheran, and brought into his family
life religious sentiments and observances manly
frank and ingenious.
AS a child Victoria had a training as sensi-
bic as it was careful. She was taught to live
her religion. her sense of duty was made keen
truthfulness and consideration for other people
became a part Of her nature When at sixteen
she passed through the solemn confirmation
ceremony in the Chapel Royal. st. James's the
little girl felt much if not ALL of the obligations
and burdens of her future. Small wonder that
she sobbed aloud as she buried her head with
its clustering brown locks on her mothers
shoulder. The most inveterate cynic must, even
while he smiles feel kindness for the young
creature who when Queen, said TO her Prime
Minister; q have been taught, my lord, to
judge between what is right and what is wrong:
but 'expediency' is a word which 1 neither wish
TO hear nor TO understand Many a time must
"expediency" have been impressed upon the
woman Victoria, but ii is evident that the
child's longing 10 choose 1.-The right never left
her. The moral tone of the court rose with her
accession, and especially unpopular with the
| Queen were those who were disposed to sheer at
| religion. They were obliged to assume virtue
| Of reverence if they had II not AS a mother
| the Queen insisted upon the spirit of religion
| more than upon the letter. She was urgent
| that her children. when very young should be
taught no difference of creeds. that their faith
should be a thing of loving dependence, not OF
fear and that their thoughts of death and the
after life should be made happy ones She
was a thoroughly tolerant woman, and was
never more outspoken in Indignation than when
she became aware that one sect among her sub
|
Perpetualy she aspired. through life full Of
sadness to hold to kindness, TO unselfshness
and to truth. DR.. Macleod her friend of many
wears has recorded of her: She has reason
ing searching mind, anxious TO get at the root
and reality of things. and abhors all shans.
whether in word deed"
Her reign is still too recent for full compre-
hension of her character and career, but we
may we'll believe that as time goes on botn Will
loom larger and nobler in the mind Of mankind
The bitter in her cup not all from the
draught Of death and loss. LAS 1 get older.
the old Queen once said to DR.. Benson, L can
not understand the world. cannot comprehend
its Httleness When I look at the fr1Vontes
and littlenesses it seems to me as II they We're
all a little mad" In that warm heart. indeed,
there was nothing that could enable her 10
understand pettiness in others There seemed
to breathe around her, wherever she was says
an old friend "a magnetic atmosphere or pu-
ritv. dignity and goodness, in which nothing IN
worthy, sordid or mean could live