On Saturday, May 26, more than 100 Salvationists, officers, descendants and families gathered in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Toronto, for the 110th anniversary memorial service for the Empress of Ireland. The service honoured the 150 officers and soldiers who lost their lives in the tragic sinking that took place on May 29, 1914, as well as the survivors and their families.
From left, Commissioners Lee and Debbie Graves and Colonels Lani and John Chamness stand in front of the Empress of Ireland monument in Mount Pleasant Cemetery
In the early morning hours of that fateful day, the Empress of Ireland ocean liner sank suddenly in the St. Lawrence River when it collided with another ship in dense fog. Many Salvation Army personnel and their families were on board, including members of the Canadian Staff Band, travelling to an international congress in London, England. Only 465 passengers survived while 1,012 perished, making it Canada’s worst peacetime maritime disaster.
The Yorkminster Citadel Band and Canadian Staff Songsters offered a musical prelude with a welcome and prayer by Colonel John Chamness, chief secretary, who opened the service by commemorating the lost lives. “Let us draw strength from the exemplary lives of those who perished,” said Colonel Chamness. “May their legacy help us to make the world a more compassionate place.”
The descendants and families of those who survived the Empress of Ireland stand with the memorial wreaths
Colonel Lani Chamness, territorial secretary for spiritual life development, led the opening song, O God, Our Help in Ages Past, and Commissioner Debbie Graves, territorial president of women’s ministries, read from Scripture. Before Lt-Colonel Roxanne Jennings, secretary for personnel, read an honour roll of officers and soldiers who had been promoted to glory in the past year, the Yorkminster Citadel Band played My All Is on the Altar. In a special moment of remembrance, Jack Humphries, Major David Ivany and Cathie Koehnen, descendants of those who survived the tragic sinking, laid wreaths at the Empress monument.
The Canadian Staff Songsters, led by Cathie Koehnen, sang In His Hands before Commissioner Lee Graves, territorial commander, gave a reflection. In his sermon, he affirmed that, even in the face of pain and disaster, “We can declare, it is well with my soul—because of Jesus who has overcome the world. We rest in these words: ‘Oh death, thy sting be gone.’ ”
In closing, Lt-Colonel Les Marshall, territorial secretary for mission, led congregants in the closing song, As the Varied Way of Life We Journey, and Colonel John Chamness gave a final prayer and benediction.
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