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"From the pulpit of St. Paul's yesterday Canon John Collins told a congregation of about zoo. . . ." Daily Herald, May 3oth.
"Seldom can St. Paul's Cathedral have had so large a congregation on a Sunday evening as that which attended yesterday evening's service of thanksgiving and dedication for the Mission to London." Manchester Guardian, May 30th.
There is, of course, no proper basis of comparison between the morning and evening congregations at St. Paul's on this particular Sunday ; the closing meeting of the Mission to London was a special occasion. But if the Mission is to have any consequences one of them must surely be some increase in normal church atten- dance at St Paul's and elsewhere. Canon Collins, of Sc. Paul's, who was one of the founders of the valuable movement known as Christian Action, wants more modern art and music in the cathedral. That might have some negative effect, as removing what to some people may be deterrents to attendance at public worship. And there is a good deal to be said for creating a favourable atmosphere for worship. But while art and music may be useful adjuncts they cannot take the place of prayer and preaching. It can even be argued, as the Quakers argue, that such externals make for distraction rather than concentration. But for St. Paul's, at any rate, a right combination between the motives that filled the cathedral in the evening and the changes Canon Collins advocated in the morning may well meet the need best.
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