BUNAN MEMORIAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11535, 21 November 1900, Page 5

BUNAN MEMORIAL.

UNVEILED IN SOUT.HWARK BY THE BISHOP OF ROCHESTER. A large congregation filled the beautiful old Collegiate Church of St. Saviour's, Southwark, a few days ago, in order to witness the unveiling by the Bishop of Rochester of a memorial window to John Bunyan, the author of the " The Pilgrim's Progress." In connection with the work of restoration which has been going on for some years past, the windows are being slowly filled with stained glass in place of the plain glass, which gives the interior of this handsome building a somewhat gloomy appearance. The funds for this window, which is intended to commemorate the connection of John Bunyan with the Zoar-street Chapel, of which all traces liave long since disappeared, were raised bj the children of the parish schools and in other parts of the metropolis, who, between them, raised a sum of £80. The design, which is by Mr. J. E. Kempe, M.A., gives a portrait of Bunyan in the top panel. Immediately underneath, in the central panel, is a group representing the scene from the famous allegory in which Christian loses his burden at the foot of the Cross, the three " shining ones" standing by and greeting him with the salutation, "peace be unto thee." Below this, in the lower panel, is a figure of Faith, holding a cross, on which is a scroll bearing the inscription, "By faith are ye saved." The unveiling ceremony, which was performed by the Bishop of Rochester, was preceded by a service of hymns and special prayers, an address on the life of Bunyan being given by the Dean of Canterbury, who pointed out that everyone who read "The Pilgrim's Progress" might learn a lesson of wisdom and courage from the marvellous story told by the poor imprisoned tinker who died nearly 300 years ago. It' is interesting to note that a window immediately adjacent to the one devoted to the memory of Bunyan is being prepared to commemorate our great early laureate, Chaucer, who, with his friend, Gower, another holder of the laureateship, is buried in the church.