DIRECTOR'S BLOG

The other day I received some pictures from Haiti that made me think to the stories I had read of the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. It was June 2^nd 1953 and the press reported the event in many ways, including the following:

‘The ceremony at Westminster was one of pomp and pageantry, and the characteristically poised Elizabeth delivered in a solemn and clear voice the coronation oath that bound her to the service of the people of Great Britain and the British Commonwealth. In the procession through the streets of London that followed, Elizabeth and her husband were joined by representatives from the more than 40 member states of the Commonwealth, including heads of state, sultans, and prime ministers. British troops like the Yeomen of the Guard were joined by a great variety of Commonwealth troops, including police from the Solomon Islands, Malaysians in white uniforms and green sarongs, Pakistanis in puggaree headdresses, Canadian Mounties, and New Zealanders and Australians in wide-brimmed hats. After the parade, Elizabeth stood with her family on the Buckingham Palace balcony and waved to the crowd as jet planes of the Royal Air Force flew across the Mall in tight formation.’

However, there was a special presentation made to the Queen during the Ceremony and I share from the Ceremony: ‘the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Moderator of the Church of Scotland presented her with a Bible? ‘Our gracious Queen,’ said the Archbishop. ‘To keep your Majesty ever mindful of the Law and Gospel of God as the Rule for the whole life and government of Christian Princes, we present you with this Book, the most valuable thing that this world affords.’ Then the Moderator added ‘Here is wisdom, this is the royal law, these are the lively oracles of God.’

Note the words that were used when the Bible was given to the Queen, ‘the most valuable thing that this world affords.’ That is how the Bible was viewed. How days have changed!

Now, I began by saying “I received pictures from Haiti and they made me think about the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth,’ and you may ask why? If you look at the picture below you will have the answer.

During the year we as a Mission seek to meet the physical, emotional, educational and spiritual needs of the children. This we do with the help and support of donors and we know and believe that the great gift we can give is the book that was described as ‘the most valuable thing that this world affords.’ The Bible is our guide for living and through it and in it, not only do we find the truth of God, but we meet the Saviour!