Record

Performance TitleFree Churches' Solemn Thanksgiving Service
Performance Date16 November 1918
Performance DaySaturday
Performance Time15:00
Main PerformersRev. John Clifford,
Rev. R C Gillie,
Rev. Samuel Chadwich,
Rev. J H Shakespeare,
Rev. J H Jowett,
Rev. George Hooper - speakers
Set ListInvocation, followed by the Lord's Prayer (Rev John Clifford),
Lesson - Isaiah x1, 1-11; Rev xxi, 1-7 (Rev R C Gillie),
Prayer and Thanksgiving (Rev Samuel Chadwich),
'Praise My Soul, the King of Heaven',
Prayer (Rev J H Shakespeare),
'For All The Saints Who From Their Labours Rest',
Address (Rev J H Jowett),
'God Bless Our Native Land!',
Benediction (Rev George Hooper)
Royal PresenceHM King George,
HRH Queen Mary,
HRH The Prince of Wales,
HRH Princess Mary,
HRH The Duchess of Albany,
HRH Princess Beatrice
Performance Notes"The Prince of Wales, Princess Mary and Princess Christian will accompany the King and Queen when they attend the great Fee Church Thanksgiving Service at the Albert Hall this afternoon. The Prime Minister, the Lord Mayor, and the sheriffs have accepted invitations to attend. In addition, there will be present members of the London Headquarters Staff, a large number of Free Church Members of Parliament, and members of the City Corporation, and the presidents and officers and leading representative members of the Free Church denominations."
(The Times, 16 November 1918)

"Two Albert Halls would have been needed to hold all the people who wished to be present on Saturday afternoon at the thanksgiving service arranged by the Free Churches and attended by the King and Queen, the Prince of Wales and Princess Mary."
(The Times, 18 November 1918)

"The Rev Dr Jowett, in a short address, said that those present were gathered to consecrate a great victory by acknowledging that its springs were to be found in the grace and favour of Almighty God. They were there to hallow the remembrance of the conflict by relating it to a Providence which had enlightened our counsels and blessed our arms. Four years ago our Nation was divinely honoured by a sacred call to sacrificial service. It was a call to the ministry of emancipation. We were summoned to take our stand by the august standard of international rectitude and honour. It was a bugle call, which could only have been unanswered at the price of loss of the national soul. It called us to a rough and stoney road, and cost us suffering and tears. But we heard and answered it, and they had now come together gratefully to remember the Divine Providence that watched over us in those heavy and gloomy years.
Our National Unity had been preserved unbroken. The purpose which inspired us had been preserved fresh and vigorous. Our patience had never fainted: our courage had never lost it's nerve: the lamp of hope had shone through the vast night, and the reserves of oil had failed. Our men had kept their swords clean, their turns were not dishonoured by any record of brutality. Theirs had been the honest limbs and hearts of chivalrous knights. As for our gallant sons who had fallen in the light, the finished life was not to be reckoned by the number of its years , but by its accomplished task; and those who had lain down their lives had passed through sacrifice to more exalted service" (The Times, 18 November 1918)
Large crowds gathered outside to cheer the King and Queen.

Also present were Mr Lloyd George, Mr Asquith, the Lord Mayor and a large number of MPs.
Related Archival MaterialProgramme (RAHE/1/1918/50)
Catalogue
Reference NumberTitleDate
RAHE/1/1918/50Solemn Thanksgiving Service Arranged by the Free Churches16 November 1918
Work
Ref NoTitleNo of Performances
Oibalcpydit_HFree Churches' Thanksgiving Service1
Performers
CodeName of Performer(s)
DS/UK/5239Clifford; John (1836-1923); CH; British Nonconformist minister, politician
DS/UK/5846Shakespeare; John Howard (fl 1910s); Rev.; British minister
DS/UK/5847Jowett; John Henry (1864-1923); Rev.; British minister
DS/UK/5848Chadwich; Samuel (1860-1932); Rev.; Wesleyan Methodist minister
DS/UK/1116Mary of Teck (1867-1953); British Queen consort of King-Emperor George V
DS/UK/1115George V (1865-1936); British King and Emperor of India (1910-1936)
DS/UK/2184Edward VIII (1894-1972); British King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth, and Emperor of India, from 20 January to 11 December 1936.
DS/UK/231HRH Princess Mary (1897-1965); British Princess Royal and Countess of Harewood
DS/UK/3978Princess Helena / Princess Christian; Helena Augusta Victoria (1846-1923); British royal family member
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