The idea when first made met with immediate acceptance as a happy conception, but many doubts were expressed as to the possibility of its being actually accomplished, for it seemed to the faint-hearted almost an impossibility to arrange for a connecting line of services, which should take place in succession around the whole circle of the earth for the space of twenty-four hours. Yet the President was able to inform the Grand Lodge that the Jubilee service had been carried out in actual fact and in completest detail.
Of this record it is not possible within the limits of this notice to give more than a sketch.
Reports and letters kept coming in for month after month from the far distant continents in reply to the request, and giving an account of the proceedings. A few extracts only can be given here as samples of many hundreds of similar character which were received from the continuous line now recorded around the world, telling of how the Diamond Jubilee Anthem was sung at each place as shown in the time-table attached.
The service commenced on Sunday afternoon, 20th June, in Levuka, Fiji Islands. Dr. Garner Jones, headmaster of the Levuka Public Schools, writes: "Owing to geographical position—viz., 178° 51' e. long.—the inhabitants of Levuka, Fiji Islands, enjoyed the unique honour of initiating 'The Wave of Song' that hailed the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty's Ascension. The service was an open air one, being held in the Government school grounds, Rev. W. Floyd, of the English Church, officiating. The attendance was large and included representatives of various races who claim Her Majesty as their Sovereign. English, Scotch, Irish, Australian and New Zealand Colonials, Chinese, Germans, Swedes, and among them the characteristic bushy hair of the Fijian and other South Sea Islanders was prominent, there found themselves shoulder to shoulder in the antipodes of the British Empire earnestly rolling forth our grand old National Anthem, thus giving the keynote of thanksgiving to the entire world. The Masons and Oddfellows appeared in regalia and the Levuka brass band was in attendance. Surrounding the main body of the assembly were the Levuka school boys, drawn up with their wooden rifles. Punctually at five minutes to 4 o'clock the procession of choristers left their temporary vestry and slowly approached their stand. At 4 o'clock precisely, meridian time, the British Ensign was hoisted, which was the prearranged signal, the band immediately struck up, and every throat commenced 'God Save the Queen,' while the public school guard stood at the 'Present.' Undoubtedly the occasion was unique, and Levuka never forgot for a moment that her geographical position was unique also, in so far as she enjoyed the proud distinction of being allowed to start the wave of song which in its course would pass over in rotation all the British possessions on the face of the globe."
At this same moment at which it was 4 p.m. Sunday in the Fiji Islands, and 4 a.m. Sunday at Windsor Castle, where Her Majesty was in residence, the Executive of the Sons of England met at Shaftesbury Hall, Toronto, it being then precisely 10.55 p.m. on Saturday, June 19th, and sang the National Anthem, commenced that same minute in Levuka on Sunday afternoon, and which for the next seventeen and a quarter hours was to be coming steadily nearer with the sun as it passed in succession over each of the loyal gatherings in other lands until it was over Toronto at 4 o'clock (4.18 Standard time) on Sunday afternoon, when the Sons of England and Britons in Toronto again joined in the loyal strain as it passed by them onward toward the West.
Three minutes after Levuka had commenced, Suva, the Fiji capital, took up the strain. Mr. Hamilton Hunter says: "I am glad to report that the Special Jubilee Service was a great success in this Colony. It was not merely confined to the English Church, but was heartily taken up by the Roman Catholic, Presbyterian and Wesleyan Churches. The National Anthem was sung on the stroke of four. I have to thank you for having enabled us to set 'The Wave of Song' in motion by your timely warning."
Seventeen minutes later, or before the services in the Fijis had closed, the Anthem was taken up in Napier, New Zealand. The report says: "The Jubilee services at the cathedral yesterday will be remembered by the Napier people for many a long year, and it is questionable whether a more imposing ecclesiastical spectacle was ever witnessed in New Zealand. The cathedral was crowded to excess, all the friendly societies of Napier being present." The Dean writes: "As Dean of the easternmost cathedral in the British Empire, the cathedral upon which the rays of the rising sun first fall, I have to report that, in accordance with your wishes, we joined in the great circle of Anthem singing, as arranged for by the Sons of England, at 4 o'clock on the afternoon of Sunday last. The service was a very magnificent and enthusiastic one. I convey my most hearty good wishes to you and to the members of the great organization you represent."
The wave swept across Australia. At Melbourne, Victoria, B. Cowderoy, Esq., Secretary R.C.I., reports: "Both cathedrals (Anglican and Roman Catholic) were crushingly full. In the Exhibition building several thousands, after addresses by leading Wesleyans, took up the National Anthem at our Standard time. In the Town Hall the Anthem was sung with fervour at 4 p.m. by 4,000 with most impressive effect. I am an octogenarian, but in this matter I am as young as my eight grandsons, and thank you, Mr. Cumberland, for your happy suggestion which has given added interest to all that is being done." Adelaide, South Australia, reports: "The Bishops of the Diocese entered heartily into the scheme. The Governor and his staff were present. The National Anthem was sung with intense fervour and most thrilling effect." So it passed through the other cities and over the continent of Australia.
Across the Indian Ocean.—S.S. Empress of India marked the latitude 26° 6' n.; long. 120° 26' e.: "Rockets fired and National Anthem sung at 4 p.m. off Alligator Rock."
It first touched Africa and was hailed by the lodge of the Sons of England at Durban, Natal, and then in continuing line across South Africa, in all the principal cities, and at Cape Town the record was maintained.