The most striking feature of the service was its wonderful revelation of the common brotherhood of humanity. In the face of the great calamity which had befallen the Army, men of every religious denomination and every sphere of life were present to bow their heads in humble submission to the will of the Almighty Father. A still stronger and deeper note was struck by two of the survivors of the disaster, who, in simple, eloquent words, brought home to all anew the great truth of the Resurrection. The wonderful sustaining power of Christianity, they said, was shown in the early morning hours when the vessel sank, and when the sudden call came none was afraid to answer the summons. They knew that it was a call to Glory!
Although a pitifully small remnant of the Army dead had been recovered, the service was also an affectionate and reverent memorial for the great majority whose remains still lay engulfed in the St. Lawrence River. Many were the sorrowing tributes paid by the speakers to those missing comrades and friends, and deep regrets were voiced that the waters had not given them up so that they might lie in state beside the silent forms with whom they had in former days toiled together to accomplish God’s work.
MESSAGES OF SYMPATHY
The sorrow which the great tragedy had aroused throughout the entire Army world was made public by Commissioner McKie, who read numerous telegrams from Army officers in the furthermost corners of the world, from Japan and India, from Australasia and Africa, and from Northern and Southern Europe.
In an eloquent address the Commissioner paid a tribute to his dead comrades on behalf of the General and of the British corps. “At this moment I stand before you as the representative of General Booth and Mrs. Booth,” he said, “to express for them and for all our comrades their deepest sympathy for you in this your great hour of sorrow.
“I should also like to say a few passing words about those whose remains lie in our midst, and to assure the bereaved relatives and friends that the sorrow is international. In the death of Mrs. Commissioner Rees we have lost a good worker, and the loss is a heavy one. Mrs. Rees was a good mother and helpmeet to her husband. I cannot speak of her without making a reference to the Commissioner. Great as is our sorrow at his being called home, and heavy as we will feel his loss, it would be a source of great consolation to us if we but had his remains with us to lay beside those of his brave wife.”
Photo by Bain News Service.
PROMINENT ACTOR WHO WENT DOWN
Lawrence Irving was the second son of the late Sir Henry Irving, the famous English actor, and was himself well known on the stage.