CHURCH AND NATION

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1103, 17 April 1911, Page 5

CHURCH AND NATION

GREAT ANGLICAN PROCESSION. FROM TRAFALGAR SQUARE TO ST. PAUL'S. fiy TelcEranh-Pre3s Assoeiation-Copyricht London, April 11. A procession, including the Bishops of London (Dr. Ingram), Kensington (Dr. Ridgeway), Stepney (Dr. Paget), and Islington (Dr. Turner), in full canonicals, also 150 clergy, 750 choirmen, and 2000 laymen, marched from Trafalgar Square to St. Paul's Cathedral, where an intercessory c erv i ce f or t | le , ve [f are o f | ne na . tion during Coronation year was held.

'AN IMPRESSIVE WITNESS. In discussing the proposal to hold a Good Friday procession in London, the "Church Times" stated:— When did tho Church have a Trafalgar Square meeting, assemble in its thousands, and march to say its prayers under the Dome of St. Paul's? The education of its children produced something near such a demonstration. That was for something of internal interest. But an Intercession service for London, for England, for the Empire! It is known that the Bishop of London has for some weeks given consideration to plans which have been put forward, with some such purpose. Sujrscstions and objections have been carefully weighed and much discussed. The courage and fellowship of a concourse of men acting together, before tho whole world, is, in itself, a testimony and a challenge. It can also be an act of worship. Every student of the Prayer Book knows that Litanies were devised for singing in openair processions. Most clergy in the East End of London know that few services have been more impressive of late years than the well-organised open-air 'Intercessions of choirs and workers from the parishes of a deanery through slums and mean streets. Within the memory of many of us, such things would have been impossible. They are not impossible now. The world- expects the Church to declare its belief. Suppose that on Good Friday 200 clergy and some 2000 laity could assemble in Trafalgar Square; that after robing in St. Martin's Church—where George 111 was once churchwarden—they could be marshalled and proceed to the Cathedral! No banners; no drums; no festal display; nothing but the simple Cross, the Sign of Redemption, to lead them. The Bishop with his Suffragans; clergy with choir workers; Brotherhoods and Church of England men and believers. Round tho lions and past the fountains, through the silence of Fleet Street, Strand, and Ludgate Hill, or along the Embankment to Blackfriars. There are hundreds upon hundreds in London who would do this, and more than this, for their brethren. On June 22 next, many millions of eyes will be fixed upon the Abbey and tho Coronation of our King. In special signal way London will be the cynosure of gaze. The rulers of the universe will be guests within our gates. "The call of the Coronation to the men of the Empire" —that will bo the inwardness uf tho event. It will be learnt in the light of the victory of the Cross, 6r never learnt. That is why England should be made to ring with London's penitence and besieging prayer for the nation on the Day of the Atonement.