IN HONOUR OF TOPLADY.

Northern Advocate, 4 October 1913, Page 2

IN HONOUR OF TOPLADY.

The association of Orange Street Congregational Church, Leicester Square, with hymnology was celebrated on Sunday evening, August 10, when the Rev. Isaac Hartill, F.R.C.S., minister of the church,, preached on "Rock of Ages." Toplady published the hymn when minister at Orange Street, and that Sunday was the 135 th anniversary of his death. Lovers of the hymn gathered from many parts of London, and the singing, led by a band, contributed largely to an impressive service. A portrait of

Toplady was suspended from the front of the pulpit. Mr Hartill prefaced his address by references to the historical associations of the church, which was founded by French Protestant refugees. It is associated with great illustrious names—with Sir Isaac Newton and his brilliant scientific and literary circle; with Fanny Burney and her literary circle, a circle which included the great Samuel Johnson. Newton House, neXt door, was frequently visited by such eminent men as Halley, Wren, Bentley, Butler, Burnet, Addison, and Swift. Orange Street Church is thus one of the historic landmarks of London. "It is in its combination of associations," said Mr Hartill, "that the unique distinction of the church consists. I know of no church that can boast of such a number and variety of associations, and of such a special quality."