Elmwood School - Samara Yearbook (Ottawa, Ontario Canada)

Page 13 text:

SAMARA 11 THEIR MAJESTIES ' SILVER JUBILEE ON Monday, the sixth of May, we celebrated the twenty-fifth anniversary of King George ' s accession to the throne. Twenty-five years ago our monarchs were crowned king and queen of The British Empire in Westminster Abbey. Now, twenty-five years later, King George and Queen Mary hold the undying affection and loyalty of their people. On Parliament Hill, Ottawa, there was an impressive ceremony marked with as much enthusiasm, joy and devotion as in any other part of The Empire. The great crowds, the colour of military uniforms, the gay flags, the booming guns and patriotic music has all disappeared ; but the spirit of love and faith which animated the celebration remains as strong as ever. The King, speaking by wireless to all people flying the British flag, thrilled his listeners with a heart-felt message. His speech ended with the words of Queen Victoria, used after the Diamond Jubilee thirty-eight years ago, which, he said, could not express his own deep feelings more truly or simply From my heart I thank my beloved people; may God bless them . Canada ' s contribution to the Jubilee is in the form of a fund, inaugurated by their Excellencies to fight the deadly disease of cancer in the Dominion. We wish this movement all the success that such a worthy cause truly deserves.

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10 SAMARA John Masefield, our present poet Laureate, has written a beautiful hymn appropriate to the occasion of the King ' s Jubilee. A PRAYER FOR KING AND COUNTRY O God, whose mercy led us through The years of war into this peace. Grant that the world may make anew Man ' s spirit, that his quarrels cease. O Power, hear us as we sing. And bless this Country and her King. O Son, whose fellowship consoles All lonely mortals in despair, Help us to brother human souls To lovely issues everywhere. O Power, hear us as we sing, And bless this Country and her King. O Spirit, who art infinite In Wisdom, Beauty, Joy and Truth, Come down into our minds with light. Renew our Nation into youth. O Power, hear us as we sing. And bless this Country and her King.

Page 14 text:

12 SAMARA is with great pleasure that we print the following letter instead of the usual editorial — g.b. My dear Elmwoodians, This brief letter is in response to a request from your representatives on the Magazine Committee that I should write a foreword to the Magazine. The request was so charmingly put that I just could not find it in my heart to refuse although all sorts of excellent excuses came to my mind! If what I want to say gets somewhat mixed up with examinations, Matriculation Forms and the many other end-of-the-year matters, do not be surprised! Actually I have had rather a guilty feeling myself for a long time that I ought to do something for the Magazine besides exhorting others to write for it. First, I want to thank you all for the happy year you have given me — because it has been a very happy one — and I should like to think each one of you can say the same. Here are some of the things that have made it specially happy for me: — All the friendly smiles I receive during the day; the special ones at Morning Assembly; those that greet me at the door, or escort me down the path. My lessons in the Senior Form room: My visits to the Preparatory — and to everyone in between! The times when you rise to the occasion in the true Elmwood way. The stripes and decorations you wear which tell the story of your Service. The look in the eyes of so many girls which makes me know that Elmwood is safe in their hands, and — The letters I receive from many of you who no longer wear the green tunic, but keep the Elmwood spirit. Thank you again for it all! Writing this as I do during these Jubilee days, I cannot be unmindful of that wave of loyalty and affection, which is sweeping through the Empire and being carried literally to the utmost corners of the earth. As I think of that wonderful procession and those cheering thousands all the way from Buckingham Palace to St. Paul ' s, the picture that stands out most clearly before my eyes is the Royal figure passing by. The figure of one who has for twenty-five years devoted himself to ' Kingly Service , doing bravely and unfalteringly a King ' s work and by his side the Queen, both regarding their lives as belonging wholly to their people and bearing about with them wherever they go the infection of a good courage . What a tradition of Service! I would ask you to remember that it is given to you to make traditions as well as to uphold them, and to do this you must keep the vision splendid ever before your eyes, so that when the opportunity comes you too may be ready to offer to your generation the service of your lives, and carry on that great tradition — save he serve no man may rule — which is perhaps the most enduring quality of the British character. My love to you all! Affectionately yours.