The Prince of Wales has acceded to the throne, and will be known as King George V. He is forty-five years of age. His wife is a daughter of the late Duke and Duchess of Teck. It is impossible as yet to say how the new King will discharge the duties of his high office. It is to be hoped that he will show himself a firm Protestant. He is reported to be much opposed to Roman Catholicism. The new Queen is also credited with “retaining the evangelical faith in which she was brought up,” her father and mother having been strong Protestants. We are commanded to pray for kings and all in authority, and earnest prayer should ascend to “the King of kings” that He would grant King George V. and Queen Mary the blessing which maketh rich for eternity, and give them a large measure of the wisdom that is needed for the performance of the duties of their high station. We are in a critical state as a country, and much may depend on the manner in which our new Sovereign will act in the exalted sphere in which he moves. It is of interest to note that on the Saturday of his accession he took the usual oath relative to the preservation of the Protestant and Presbyterian religion in Scotland, which Mr. Walter Walsh gives in the English Churchman, as follows: “I, George V., King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, do faithfully promise and swear that I shall inviolably maintain and preserve the settlement of the true Protestant Religion, with the Government, Worship, Discipline, Rights and Privileges of the Church of Scotland, as established by the laws made there in prosecution of the Claim of Right, and particularly by an Act intituled an Act for Securing the Protestant Religion and Presbyterian Church Government, and by the Acts passed in the Parliament of both Kingdoms for Union of the two Kingdoms. So help me, God.”
King George has yet to take the Coronation Oath and make the Protestant Declaration. Strenuous efforts are being put forth by the Papists to get the latter modified, but we trust their attempts will be frustrated. It is sad to think that the Government is disposed to make concessions, and that all the political parties are devoid of a proper sense of what is due to the Protestant Constitution of the realm. But the Lord of all reigneth, and if He pleases, He can bring to nought all the counsels of compromising friends and determined foes of His truth.
King George has issued gracious messages to his people at home and in the colonies and to the princes and peoples of India. He expresses gratitude for the profound sympathy shown in the death of his father, and warmly pledges himself to uphold constitutional government, and “under the good guidance of the Ruler of all men,” to “maintain upon the foundation of freedom, justice, and peace, the great heritage of the United British Empire.”