THE THANKSGIVING COMPLETION AND DECORATION OF ST. PAUL'S.
[To THB EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR.")
Sra,—There is a well-known story of an old lady who was singing at a missionary meeting with great enthusiasm,— " Love so amazing, so divine, Demands my soul, my life, my all."
The collection was being made. Being touched on the arm with the collecting-box, she simply glanced round and continued the- strain with renewed energy. A second reminder compelling her- to descend to sublunary things, she observed with some asperity- that she had left her purse at home. I hope that we Engliehmea are not in the same case. We have offered our national praises ia• a simple and noble service. But is the praise to die with the- breath which expressed it? In common with many Nonconformist ministers, through the courtesy of the Lord Chamberlain, I was in St. Paul's on Tuesday. The splendid ceremonial but made it look more bleak and bare. Is it not possible for us as a people to make the noble decoration of the Cathedral, which was the scene- of the service, our perpetual expression of praise?
If it were made a national object in connection with this solemn. national occasion, and the deep feeling which has stirred all English hearts, we might achieve a result in which the nation, for ages, might rejoice. I am not able to answer for the Noncon- formists, but I believe that this is a matter into which both ministers- and laymen would heartily enter. We have much to divide us,. and I sadly anticipate much in the near future to embitter our divisions. It would be a happy thing if in one great work, having. at once a national and a religions character, we could all freely- co-operate. If an influential representative committee were formed for the "Thanksgiving Completion and Decoration of St. Paul's," and set to work at once while the heart of the people is full of feeling, I am persuaded that we might realize a really great result. The celebrated Cireumspice would then have a double- meaning for all time.—I am, Sir, &c., Kent Villa, Brixton Hill, Feb. 28. J. BALDWIN BROWN..
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