by Mary W Maxwell, PhD, LLB
On January 15, 2015, a group in Canada is to proclaim a soverign republic. What about Oz? Should a bunch of activists urge people to break away from the existing authorities? We Australians do not even know what wonderful resources we possess, as far as leadership is concerned. Have a look at what Her Majesty, our monarch, said, in the most solemn tones, and in the most formal setting, 62 years ago:
The following is the Order of Service (slightly abridged) for the Coronation:
“Her Majesty having already on Tuesday, the fourth day of November, 1952, in the presence of the two Houses of Parliament, made and signed the Declaration prescribed by Act of Parliament), the Archbishop [asks]: Madam, is your Majesty willing to take the Oath?
And the Queen answering, I am willing, The Queen, having a book in her hands, shall answer each question ….
Archbishop: Will you solemnly promise and swear to govern the Peoples of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, …according to their respective laws and customs?
Queen: I solemnly promise so to do.
Archbishop: Will you to your power cause Law and Justice, in Mercy, to be executed in all your judgements? Queen: I will….
Then the Queen …laying her right hand upon …the great Bible (tendered to her as she kneels upon the steps), [says]: The things which I have here before promised, I will perform, and keep. So help me God….
The Epistle 1 S. Peter 2, 13. Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: as free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.
The hymn being ended, the Archbishop shall say: LET US PRAY
O Lord and heavenly Father, …Bless and sanctify thy chosen servant ELIZABETH,
…Confirm and stablish her with thy free and princely Spirit, the Spirit of wisdom and government,… the Spirit of knowledge and true godliness, and fill her, O Lord, with the Spirit of thy holy fear, now and for ever; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
This prayer being ended, and the people standing, the choir shall sing: I Kings 1, 39, 40;
Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anointed Solomon king; and all the people rejoiced and said God save the king, Long live the king, May the king live for ever. Amen. Hallelujah.
The Spurs shall be brought from the Altar …Hear our prayers, O Lord, we beseech thee, and so direct and support thy servant Queen ELIZABETH, that she may not bear the Sword in vain; but may use it as the minister of God for the terror and punishment of evildoers, and for the protection and encouragement of those that do well….
The …Archbishop shall deliver the Sceptre with the Cross into the Queen’s right hand, saying: Receive the Royal Sceptre, the ensign of kingly power and justice.
And then he shall deliver the Rod with the Dove into the Queen’s left hand, and say: Receive the Rod of equity and mercy. Be so merciful that you be not too remiss, so execute justice that you forget not mercy. Punish the wicked, protect and cherish the just, and lead your people in the way wherein they should go.
The Dean of Westminster shall bring the Crown, and the Archbishop shall reverently put it upon the Queen’s head. At the sight whereof the people, with loud and repeated shouts, shall cry,
GOD SAVE THE QUEEN
The Archbishop shall solemnly bless her: …. The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord protect you in all your ways and prosper all your handywork. Amen.
The Lord give you faithful Parliaments and quiet Realms; sure defence against all enemies; fruitful lands and a prosperous industry; wise counsellors and upright magistrates; leaders of integrity in learning and labour; a devout, learned and useful clergy; honest peaceable and dutiful citizens. Amen.
And now look at the Aussie girl, Mary Donaldson, marrying a Crown Prince who has the humility to cry over Zadok the priest:
[…] have a king. Or, at the moment, a queen. In my Gumshoe article of January 15, 2015, I pointed to the importance of the coronation service in which the people are […]