THE CITY TEMPLE.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20427, 23 December 1931, Page 2

THE CITY TEMPLE.

——♦ A MYSTERY GIFT. I - (raoM otjb' owk I cosrespcedent.) LONDON, November 10. Directly Dr. F. W. Norwood rose to begin his sermon at the City Temple, Holborn, on Sunday night, the church was plunged into darkness, and from the floor of the pulpit a single beam of light shone on a large painting of Christ which stood on an easel behind him. Telling the story, cf the mystery picture, Dr. Norwood said: A "Probably there is in this congregation a" man, who is an entire stranger to me, but to whom thanks are due for his request, indirectly communicated to me, that it is displayed, and I am to upon the text which gives the picture its title, 'lf Thou had'st known.' "This stranger came to the studio of the artist some months ago, saying that he had made enquiries as to the man who might best be able to carry out what was in his mind. He said he wanted a picture of Christ. There should be associated with it the thought of world kinship, and it was to be entitled 'lf Thou had'st known.' "Several times he came to .the studio to watch the progress of the picture, and finally he came to pay for it. Then ho vanished entirely, leaving no name or address, but merely requesting that the painting should be sent here as a gift from 'Mr Nobody, of London."' Dr. Norwood's sermon was based on the peace message the picture is intended to convey. The painting is the work of Mr W. Longstaff, who was in the congregation on Sunday. It shows Christ stretching hands of peace and protection over the two hemispheres. It is executed in vivid colours and enclosed in a circular frame. Dr. Norwood stated afterwards that tho picture was only completed last week. The identity of the Btranger is a mystery,'' he added, "but I am not trying to solve it.'