Florence NIGHTINGALE
St, Paul’s
The memorial service St Paul’s was exceptionally impressive character. True, followed the usual lines previous memorial services ait the Cathedral, with exception that the hymns sung were which were known to bo the ites Miss Nightingale But the presence many soldiers in uniform, many of them grey-bearded veterans, and nurses from various hospitals and institutions added a distirrcrfcive element the occasion. Every one the soldiers present knew the debt gratitude they owed Florence Nightingale for her self-sacrificing labours in the interests of tihe rank and file the Army while the presence some 700 nurses, who came from all parts the country, was a silent, but eloquent, tribute to tihe work of their famous pioneer nursing reform. From ten o’clock onwards visitors began to flock to Cathedral, until half-past eleven—half an hour before the of the service—there was scarcely a vacant seat. Among the earliest arrivals were 40 pensioners from the Chelsea Hospital, including many who had fought in the Crimea. Nurses in different coloured uniforms followed. All the leading London hospital® and nursing institutions were many seats possible, while regiments which served in the Crimea were also specially represented. THE SERVICE. The Deputy Lord Mayor was received ait the West door by the Cathedral official accompanied by the Clerk, City Remembrancer, and Bearer, was conducted to a seat within the choir. The representatives of their Majesties and Queen Alexandra were accommodated with seats immediately in front of the choir. Tne band of the Coldstream Guards took position at entrance the choir, while the nurses were grouped Hooks, on each side. The main body of the Cathedral was occupied by the public, whose sombre garments contrasted forcibly with the scarlet uniforms the soldiers and blue cloaks the nur?es. During the period of waiting, the Guards’ band played a selection of music. As the Cathedral clock chimed the hour of twelve the clergy and chodr entered, and the service commenced with the singing of the hymn, ” The Son of God goes forth to war.” The prayers and Psalms followed.. In place of an anthem the Litany Chrysastcm, and I am the Resurrection and the Life,” sung by the choir of men only to the music of Dr Croft. After the lesson, which was taken from Ist Corinthians xv., 20, in which occur the words, Death, where is thy sting,” the Guards’ band played the ‘ Dead March,” the continuous roll the drams, rising in a crescendo, until it drowned the organ and falling a faint pianissimo that could only just head, being very impressive. Only once during the service was the deceased lady mentioned by name. It in the words of the prayer, “We give Thee hearty thanks for that hath pleased Thee to deliver Thy servant Florence out of the miseries of this sinful world.” The per*, ice concluded with the hymn, ” The King Love my Shepherd is,” followed tho Benediction. The representatives King and of members of the Royal Family were afterwards conducted the West dooT, the procession the Lord Mayor’s Deputy and other special representatives then leaving by the South door Large crowds thronged the Cathedral steps and the top of Ludgate Hill to see the distinguished visitors leave. His Majesty the King’ was represented by Major General J. S. Ewart, A.D.C. General to his Majesty ; her Majesty the Queen Lord Wenlock; her Majesty Queen Alexandra by Colonel H. Streatfield, M.V.0.; H.R.H. the Duke of Connaught by Captain T. R. Bulkeley, Scobs Guards, M.V.0.; and H.R.H. the Princess Christian by Major J. E. B. Martin, M.V.O. The American Ambassador and Mrs Whitelaw Reid were present; Mr Asqnith was represented by Mr R. C. Meikleidhn; Lord Morley by Sir Richmond Ritchie, K.C.B. ; the Earl Crewe by Mr C. T. Clay; Mr by Mr F. C. the Army Council by Lieutenant- Sir W. H. Mackinnon and Mr H Brade; the Board Admiralty by Captain C. E. Madden, C.V.0., R.N., and Sir C. Inigo Thomas, K.C.8.; the Board of Education by the Hon. Miss N. Lawrence; the City of London by the Deputy Lord Mayor ; the Archbishop of Canterbury by the Rev. H. M’Millan; the Chaplain- General to the Forces by the Rev. Dr Hackett; the Presbyterian Church by the Rev. J. M. Sims, D.D.; and the Wesleyans by the Rev. R. W. Allen. Miss Nightingale’s services to the naval and military forces the Crown were marked tlie attendance Surgeon- General W. L. (Director-General, Army Medical Service), and Staff Surgeon G. F. Dean, R.N., together with other officers and a number of members the Q.A.1.M.N.5., including the Reserve and the T.F. Army Nursing Service and the Nursing Services of the Xavy. The Indian Medical Service was represented by Lieut.- Colonel Sir R. H. Charles. REV. A. WEBSTER’S TRIBUTE. Yesterday forenoon the Rev. Alex. Webster, Aberdeen, delivered a memorial discourse on the saintly nurse, and said—The practical apostle of workful faith, in putting forward a piea for a faith that proved its goodness by deeds, said— I will show thee my faith my works.” Florence Nightingale was too modest to sound a trumpet over Iter illustrious deeds, but they are eloquent the faith that inspired her activity. I proud to speak of her belonging by birth, training, and personal conviction to our household of faith. I think we are well entitled hold her as representing the kind of women which the Unitarian faith produces when it works to its natural and loftiest issue. In one respect Florence Nightingale belongs humanity. Her eervioes were signal and large to entitle her rank amone the benefactors mankind, and while I would not apply them ajiy sectarian measure it is but bare justice say that her disposition and character were moulded under Unitarian influences, and her moral mission was undertaken the spirit of the humanitarian oompassion inherited from a Unitarian ancestry and fostered by Unitarian parents.
Aberdeen Press and Journal – Monday 22 August 1910
