



Produced by Marcia Brooks, Cindy Beyer, Ross Cooling and
the online Distributed Proofreaders Canada team at
http://www.pgdpcanada.net with images provided by The
Internet Archives-Canada





                             [Illustration]

                                A Sketch

                            =.. of how..=

                          “The Diamond Anthem”

                      =was sung around the world=
                  =through the Colonies of the Empire=
                        =on the 20th June, 1897=

               THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ACCESSION DAY
                     OF HER MAJESTY QUEEN VICTORIA

               Being an extract from the Annual Report of
          The Supreme Grand President of the Sons of England,
           given at St. Catharines, Canada, 8th March, 1898.


                                TORONTO
                      THE ROBINSON-ARBUTHNOT PRESS
                                  1898




               TIME TABLE FOR SERVICES AROUND THE WORLD.

    An interval will be arranged in the regular afternoon service to
    allow of the National Anthem being commenced at 4 p.m., or in
    Australia and Canada at the exact Standard Time stated; this
    being the equivalent of the moment the sun is passing the place
    at 4 p.m. Sun Time.

        ─────────────────────────┬────────────┬──────────────────
         DAY COMMENCES AT LONG.  │  Standard  │Time at the Heart
                  180.           │   Time.    │      of the
                                 │            │  Empire—Windsor
                                 │            │      Castle
        ─────────────────────────┼────────────┼──────────────────
                                 │    P.M.    │       A.M.
                                 │   20th.    │      20th.
        FIJI ISLANDS             │    4.00    │       4.05
                                 │            │
        NEW ZEALAND:             │            │
            Napier               │    4.00    │       4.20
            Auckland             │    4.00    │       4.21
                                 │            │
        AUSTRALIA:               │            │
            Sydney               │    3.55    │       5.55
            Hobart               │    4.11    │       6.11
            Melbourne            │    4.20    │       6.20
            Adelaide             │    3.46    │       6.46
            Perth                │    4.16    │       8.16
                                 │            │
        MAURITIUS:               │            │       P.M.
            St. Louis            │    4.00    │      12.10
                                 │            │
        SOUTH AFRICA:            │            │
            Durban (Port Natal)  │     "      │       1.56
            Addington            │   ....    │       1.57
            East London          │     "      │       2.08
            King William’s Town  │     "      │       2.11
            Graham’s Town        │     "      │       2.14
            Port Elizabeth       │     "      │       2.18
            Uitenage             │     "      │       2.19
            Cape Town            │     "      │       2.46
                                 │            │
        WEST AFRICA:             │            │
            St. Helena           │     "      │       4.23
            Sierra Leone         │     "      │       4.53
            Ascension            │     "      │       4.58
                                 │            │
        MID-ATLANTIC:            │            │
            British Ships at sea │   ....    │      ....
                                 │            │
        NEWFOUNDLAND:            │            │
            St. John             │     "      │       7.31
                                 │            │
        CANADA:                  │            │
          CAPE BRETON—           │            │
            Sydney               │    4.01    │       8.01
          PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND—  │            │
            Charlottetown        │    4.12    │       8.12
          NOVA SCOTIA—           │            │
            New Glasgow          │    4.10    │       8.10
            Truro                │    4.13    │       8.13
            Halifax              │    4.14    │       8.14
            Springhill           │    4.17    │       8.17
            Windsor              │    4.17    │       8.17
            Digby                │    4.23    │       8.23
            Yarmouth             │    4.24    │       8.24
          NEW BRUNSWICK—         │            │
            Moncton              │    3.20    │       8.20
            St. John             │    3.24    │       8.24
            Fredericton          │    3.27    │       8.27
            Stanley              │   ....    │      ....
            Woodstock            │    3.30    │       8.30
          QUEBEC—                │            │
            Sherbrooke           │    3.48    │       8.48
            Lennoxville          │    3.48    │       8.48
            Richmond             │    3.49    │       8.49
            Quebec               │    3.50    │       8.50
            Montreal             │    3.54    │       8.54
          ONTARIO—               │            │
            Cornwall             │    3.59    │       8.59
            Ottawa               │    4.03    │       9.03
            Brockville           │    4.03    │       9.03
            Carleton Place       │    4.04    │       9.04
            Smith’s Falls        │    4.04    │       9.04
            Almonte              │    4.05    │       9.05
            Arnprior             │    4.05    │       9.05
            Gananoque            │    4.06    │       9.06
            Kingston             │    4.07    │       9.07
            Renfrew              │    4.07    │       9.07
            Pembroke             │    4.08    │       9.08
            Deseronto            │    4.09    │       9.09
            Belleville           │    4.10    │       9.10
            Peterborough         │    4.13    │       9.13
            Port Hope            │    4.13    │       9.13
            Bowmanville          │    4.14    │       9.14
            Burke’s Falls        │    4.15    │       9.15
            Lindsay              │    4.15    │       9.15
            Oshawa               │    4.15    │       9.15
            Whitby               │    4.16    │       9.16
            Huntsville           │    4.17    │       9.17
            Bracebridge          │    4.17    │       9.17
            Orillia              │    4.18    │       9.18
            Toronto              │    4.18    │       9.18
            St. Catharines       │    4.18    │       9.18
            Barrie and Allandale │    4.19    │       9.19
            Rosseau              │    4.19    │       9.19
            Grimsby              │    4.19    │       9.19
            Hamilton             │    4.20    │       9.20
            Orangeville          │    4.20    │       9.20
            Collingwood          │    4.21    │       9.21
            Guelph               │    4.21    │       9.21
            Brantford            │    4.21    │       9.21
            Simcoe               │    4.21    │       9.21
            Paris                │    4.22    │       9.22
            Woodstock            │    4.23    │       9.23
            Sudbury              │    4.24    │       9.24
            Aylmer               │    4.24    │       9.24
            Stratford            │    4.24    │       9.24
            Owen Sound           │    4.24    │       9.24
            St. Thomas           │    4.25    │       9.25
            London               │    4.26    │       9.26
            Goderich             │    4.27    │       9.27
            Petrolea             │    4.28    │       9.28
            Chatham              │    4.29    │       9.29
            Sarnia               │    4.30    │       9.30
            Windsor              │    4.32    │       9.32
            Port Arthur          │    3.57    │       9.57
            Fort William         │    3.57    │       9.57
            Rat Portage          │    4.18    │      10.18
          MANITOBA AND NORTHWEST │            │
              TERRITORIES—       │            │
            Winnipeg             │    4.28    │      10.28
            Carman               │    4.32    │      10.32
            Brandon              │    3.40    │      10.40
            Virden               │    3.43    │      10.43
            Russell              │    3.45    │      10.45
            Moosomin             │    3.46    │      10.46
            Regina               │    3.58    │      10.58
            Moose Jaw            │    4.02    │      11.02
            Medicine Hat         │    4.22    │      11.22
            Calgary              │    4.26    │      11.36
            Banff                │    4.49    │      11.49
          BRITISH COLUMBIA—      │            │
            Donald               │    3.49    │      11.49
            Revelstoke           │    3.53    │      11.53
            Vernon               │    3.57    │      11.57
                                 │            │      A.M.,
                                 │            │      21st.
            New Westminster      │    4.12    │      12.12
            Vancouver            │    4.12    │      12.12
            Victoria             │    4.13    │      12.13
                                 │            │
        PACIFIC OCEAN:           │            │
            British Ships at sea │   ....    │      ....
                                 │            │
        ─────────────────────────┴────────────┴──────────────────




                         =THE SONS OF ENGLAND=
                   =Diamond Jubilee Services Around=
                              =the World,=
                       =Sunday, 20th June, 1897.=
 Being an extract from the Annual Report of the Supreme Grand President
            of the Sons of England, given at St. Catharines,
                        Canada, 8th March, 1898.


18. It has been my happy lot to be the President of the Sons of England
during the record year of Her Majesty’s reign, an epoch year in the
history of our British Empire, and it has given me the intensest
pleasure to devote whatever power lay within me toward sustaining the
loyal sentiments which have been evoked in so remarkable a degree.

The Foreign nations were amazed at the wondrous attachment with which
the subjects of Queen Victoria, at home and all over the world, joined
in rejoicing over her welfare, and in attesting their loyalty to her
person and her Crown, but the Jubilee home-coming was a revelation also
to the people of the Home Land, who found thus vividly brought before
their eyes the marvellous area over which our fathers and we who had
emigrated from her shores, have spread her power, and at last have
seemed to “understand” how real is the blood union existing between the
Sons who have gone out into the world, and the Brothers who have
remained at home.

Summoned by the magic call of the Empress Queen, “Greater Britain” has
suddenly stepped forward on the field as an actual and integral part of
her Realm and Empire.

In accordance with the instructions of the Supreme Grand Lodge at
Brantford, an address, most beautifully and appropriately illuminated,
was forwarded to Her Majesty conveying our devotion, and stating the
belief “that the personality of the Crown is the strongest and most
stable bond of union between the millions of people who spread in a
world-embracing circle around the old Home-Kingdom, delight in proving
faithful allegiance, and doing loyal service.”

Our Society also joined heartily with all other societies in testifying
together with them our united affection and loyalty upon the 22nd of
June, the officially appointed Jubilee day.

It seemed to me, however, that the Sons of England owed it to their
Queen, and earnestly desired to do something more, and I therefore
organized the “_Jubilee Service of a continuous anthem around the
world_,” to take place on Sunday, the 20th of June, the actual
anniversary day of Her Majesty’s accession.

The idea when first mooted 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 I have much pleasure in informing
Supreme Grand Lodge that the “_continuous Anthem and Prayer offered_,”
as stated in the Official Circular issued by me on the 8th April, “_as
the loyal and affectionate tribute of the Sons of England to their
Gracious Queen upon the Diamond Jubilee of her accession to the
Throne_,” has been carried out in actual fact, and in completest detail.

It is not possible within the limits of this report to give more than a
sketch, but some record is due of a “service” which was so universally
and ardently adopted, which is absolutely unique in history, and which,
moreover, is one capable of being carried out only by our nation, upon
whose Sovereign’s dominions the sun never sets.

The intention was that commencing from the hour of 4.05 in the morning
at Windsor Castle on the 20th of June, the Sons in the Colonies should
join in a world-wide carol, and encircle their Queen with the continuous
singing of the National Anthem all through the hours of that great day
of her life, and on through the night until daylight the next morning.

On the opposite side of the world from the Heart of the Empire at
Windsor Castle are the _Fiji Islands_, the colony situate nearest to
longitude 180, where it is 4 o’clock in the afternoon at the same moment
at which it is 4 o’clock in the morning of the same day in England at
Greenwich.

The problem was therefore to have the National Anthem commenced in Fiji
at the beginning of Her Majesty’s day, and sung thereafter precisely at
4 p.m., as the sun arrived at that moment in succession over each place
in the Colonies, and passed onwards around the world.

A form of service was devised suitable for any Sunday afternoon service,
to commence at 3.30, in which the National Anthem should be sung at the
appointed moment of 4 o’clock.

Full descriptive circulars, forms of service, and a time-table of
longitudes, prepared by the Meteorological Department of Canada, and
showing the meridian or sun time at each place, were sent in multitude
to friends and correspondents in every Colony and Dependency owning
allegiance to the Union Jack.

With the co-operation of the Right Rev. The Bishop of Toronto, who is a
member of our Order, communications were opened up with all the Colonial
bishops and clergy, and their services were enlisted. Patriotic
societies and the secretaries of the Royal Colonial Institute were asked
by me to assist. Letters were sent to the captains of every British
passenger ship which would be at sea on the 20th of June, asking them to
sing the Anthem, fire a gun, and note the position of their ship at 4
p.m. on that day.

Our own brethren in Newfoundland and Canada and patriots in the United
States took the service up with energy and enthusiasm. The Sons of
England in South Africa answered with alacrity, Australia and New
Zealand joined in heartily, and thus, by prompt and efficient action,
the organization was completed and ready for the eventful day. Copies of
the time-table were sent to Her Majesty, by reference to which it could
be seen at any hour how far the Anthem had proceeded on its way and in
what colony it was at any moment being sung.

In acknowledging receipt the Colonial Secretary, The Right Hon. Joseph
Chamberlain, says to His Excellency Lord Aberdeen: “I have the honour to
acknowledge the receipt of your dispatch of the 24th April with its
enclosures on the subject of the Continuous Service around the World
which is being arranged by the Sons of England in commemoration of the
60th Anniversary of the Queen’s Accession to the Throne. I have to
inform you that, in accordance with your request, the matter has been
brought before the notice of the Queen, and that Her Majesty was
graciously pleased to express her sincere appreciation of the loyal
feelings that have prompted this interesting method of Commemoration.”

The 20th of June came and the Anthem passed around the world.

Reports and letters kept coming in month after month in reply to my
request and giving an account of the proceedings held in each place. A
few extracts only can be give here as samples of many hundreds of
similar character which have been received from the continuous line now
recorded around the world.

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 honor of
initiating “The Wave of Song” that hailed the Jubilee (Diamond) of Her
Majesty’s Ascension, a wave which travelled from colony to colony in
order of longitude, encircling the entire globe.”

“The service was an open air one, being held in the Government school
grounds, Rev. W. Floyd, vicar of the Episcopal 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,
among whom 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 Odd Fellows 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
at the “Order.”

“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 pre-arranged signal, the band immediately struck up and every
throat commenced ‘God Save the Queen