1915-05-24vc

“In most of the city churches yesterday, patriotism was the keynote of the discourses. Empire day and Victoria day are anniversaries that always make the British heart throb faster, and never more so than at present when the sons of Canada are doing their full share to keep the old flag flying.”

Hamilton Spectator.    May 24, 1915.

It was the first time Empire day and Victoria had been observed since the outbreak of the Great War. On Sunday May 23, 1915, the usual Sabbath observances had a patriotic flair:

“The collegiate and public school cadets paraded yesterday afternoon to Centenary church and heard an inspiring sermon by Rev. Dr. Williamson. The Sons of England attended divine service at Emerald street Methodist church.

“From many of the pulpits references were made to the late Queen Victoria, the gracious sovereign under whom Canada obtained responsible government. Some of the speakers dealt more directly with the war.”

Hamilton Spectator.    May 24, 1915.

While the Hamilton Spectator could not hope to cover absolutely every church service on May 23, there was since strong coverage of those that their reporter on duty that attended :

“British and German prayers were the themes on which Dr. Nelson spoke at Knox church.

“In the morning, Dr. Nelson used the text, ‘Let my servant Job pray for you.’

“ ‘British prayers are not prayed with anger in the heart,’ said Dr. Nelson. ‘Remember the words of the apostle: ‘Let not the sun go down on your wrath.’ British prayers are warm, not lukewarm and indifferent. The Lord hates lukewarmness. It is indecent to ask for a thing which we do not seem to value. Also, British prayers are not spasmodic, but are perseverant. They do not cease. We should pray in good company. This is shown by the text when God told sinners to let Job pray for them. The great host of British saints are an invisible army corps fighting for the right. They are united, and it is the unification of prayer that pleases God.’

“In the evening, Dr. Nelson preached on German prayers from the text ‘I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood.  (Isaiah ix. 15) and ‘God heareth not sinners. If any man doeth His will, him He heareth.’ (John ix. 31)

“ ‘God heareth not sinners concerning the manner in which they are sinning,’ he continued. ‘God will not hear them if their hearts are in a disposition to sin. For a wicked person, while continuing in his wickedness, is not an object for pity. God heareth not the prayer of one who is unmerciful. For his prayer, while yet unmerciful, is in itself a sin. If a man regards not his brother whose case he can feel, how can he expect God to hear his distant prayer? Repentance is a wicked man’s best argument to move God to hear him. A German prayer at the present time would be a farce. It would be as much to say: ‘Make me prosperous in murder. Let me become rich in thieving, and still be of good repute.’ Such prayers are sure to get the answer that Nero’s mother got when she prayed that he might become better, and it was Nero’s hand that murdered her. Unclean hands, hands dipped in murdered blood, lifted in prayer provoke the wrath of God. ‘I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood.’ ”¹

¹ “Notes of Patriotism Ring From Pulpits”

Hamilton Spectator.  May 24, 1915.

In the afternoon, the annual parade of the Sons of England began at 3:30 p.m., with the parade ending up at the Emerald street Methodist church :

“There was a large attendance of members of the seven city lodges as well as from the three lodges of the Daughters of England and visitors from the district surrounding the city.

À procession was formed at the lodge room of the order at the corner of John and Main streets and marched by way of John and King streets to the church where the sermon was delivered by Rev. D. A. Moir, the pastor. The church was beautifully decorated with flags, bunting and flowers, and a feature of the service was special patriotic music, furnished by the efficient choir of the church under the leadership of J. R. Coome.

“After words of welcome by the Rev. Mr. Moir, he took for his text, ’Quit you like men.’ (I. Cor. xvi. 15) He opened with a description of the British empire, including her forty colonies, covering one-sixth of the habitable globe, and her four hundred millions of subjects, numbering one-fourth of the earth’s population. He said the beating of her drums at morn forms a complete cordon round the globe. Her work is colonizing continents. Her literature belongs to universal humanity. It is more imperial and imperishable than that of Attica, and will be read and studied while the mind of man has thought and the heart has passion. The skill and foresight of her legislators, the wisdom of her laws, the onward impulses and spirit of her people surpass the political science and military prowess of Rome when she was supreme mistress of the world. As far as the breezes blow, or old ocean rolls, the white-winged ships of her trade are found. She is the world’s banker, and, greater than all, she is the world’s evangelizer, the foundation and source of Christian missions, the central sun from which radiates beams of Gospel light into the darkest corners of the earth. She has girdled the globe with her missionary stations, and won whole nations to civilization and Christianity. Be men of understanding and knowledge, students of life, men of decision, full of resolution, courageous, show your colors. Let people see you are on the side of Christ, strong men, rebuking vice and meanness of every description, true to God, your King and your country – sons of England.

“This interesting service closed with the singing of God Save the King.”¹

The man from the Spectator was unable to be several places at once, and he was unable to attend all of the service at Centenary Church but did witness the parade to that church and hear some of the sermon:

“ The public school cadets, 750 strong, looking spick and span in their new uniforms, presented a splendid appearance as they marched to Centenary church yesterday afternoon.

“At 3 o’clock they paraded at the armories, and with W. H. Ballard at their head, marched up James street to the church. Nine public school principals were in the parade. Rev. G. H. Williams welcomed the visitors in the course of a short sermon. He said the parade should act as an incentive to recruiting, and was proof positive that the British soldiers in empryo were willing and eager to prepare for the future.”¹