We bless Thy Name for one and all, Each low-built shrine, each minster tall, May we, their sons, our lamp display Of love and wisdom burning, Till twilight melt in golden day At our dear Lord's returning. Amen. A. L. FRANCIS, M.A., Head Master of Blundell's School, Tiverton. Tune.-Bishopsgarth. "The same yesterday, to-day, and for ever." Hebrews xiii. 8. Tunes.-Aurelia, A. & M., 460. Pearsall, A. & M., 226. Crüger, A. & M., 219. FATHER, See Thy children gathered With one voice to praise and bless Thee Here unitedly we plead. Grant a fuller, clearer vision, Patient toil, and high endeavour, Hearts on fire with Thy great message— Love that pardons, grace that frees True to Thee, and to each other, Clasping hands across the seas. Amen. C. C. BY-LAWS FOR THE CONGRESS 1. That only Members of the Church of England, or of Churches in communion with her, be permitted to address the Congress. 2. That at the Sectional Meetings, in addition to members of the Congress, holders of day tickets be permitted to join in the discussions at the discretion of the Chairman. 3. That any persons included in the foregoing rules, who are desirous of speaking at a Sectional Meeting, shall send up their names to the Chairman and await the Chairman's call. 4. That speakers at Sectional Meetings shall address the Chair only, confine themselves strictly to the subject under discussion, cease when time is called, and not be permitted to speak twice on the same subject. 5. That no question arising out of the papers read or subjects. treated be put to the vote. 6. That all questions concerning the order of proceedings be in the discretion of the Chairman, whose decision shall be final. OPENING SERVICE AT WESTMINSTER ABBEY MONDAY, JUNE 15 (From the Morning Post, by permission-the account having been written by a member of the Committee.) A vast congregation, representative of the Church in every clime, attended the Service of Intercession in Westminster Abbey, and many hundreds more would have been present had there been greater accommodation within those ancient walls. It was a beautiful service; in plain song and simple language the Divine Blessing on the Congress was besought. Noon was the time for the commencement of the service, and when the doors were opened, an hour before, there were long queues of earnest men and women anxious to participate. All the available seats were quickly appropriated. The gathering included many of the Archbishops and Bishops who have crossed the seas in order to engage in deliberation on subjects of vital import to the Church and her people. They found places among the general body, no preference evidently being shown in the allocation of seats, and the assembly lost none of its real meaning by the fact that they were not called on to don the robes of their sacerdotal office. Sir Frederick Bridge was at the organ, and before the service he played the Largo movement from the New World Symphony (Dvorak). A few minutes before twelve o'clock the Archbishop of Canterbury, attended by his chaplains, the Rev. J. H. Ellison, the Rev. W. J. Conybeare, the Rev. J. V. Macmillan, and the Rev. W. G. Boyd, the last-named carrying the archiepiscopal cross, entered the sanctuary and took his seat on the south side of the altar. Then came the procession of the Abbey choir, followed by Minor Canon Bainbridge and the Dean, who on their way to the stalls sang with wonderful effect that great Psalm of appeal (the 51st), "Miserere mei, Deus.” Then was sung the first portion of the Litany, and at the end of the Suffrages was added: "That it may please Thee to grant unto this Congress now assembled the inspiration of Thy Holy Spirit, that in wisdom and love it may labour fruitfully for the advancement of Thy Kingdom upon earth; "We beseech Thee to hear us, good Lord.” And after the Lord's Prayer: "O God, Who by Thy blessed Son hast promised to send the Holy Spirit that He may guide Thy Church into all the truth: Mercifully look upon us Thy servants, now gathered out of many lands to take counsel together in Thy Name. Grant unto us all a humble and teachable mind, a deep sense of duties unfulfilled, and a recognition of increasing responsibilities; so that we may truly repent us of our shortcomings in the past, and seriously seek henceforth to know and do Thy will, to the enlargement of Thy Church and the benefit of all mankind; through the same Thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen." Then the choir sang the Anthem, "O Lord my God, hear Thou the prayer Thy servant prayeth" (Wesley). In sweet tones the appeal to be heard was made, and with these admirably trained voices blending perfectly in the concluding appeal for forgiveness, the great gathering could not fail to be deeply impressed. Instead of a sermon there was what has liturgically a greater tradition behind it a Bidding Prayer, consisting of the following eight suppli cations: "Let us pray for the strengthening of our belief in God: that we may have ears to hear His voice still speaking to us; that we may perceive His Spirit's work in the higher aspirations of all races; and that we may fearlessly accept all truth which by His Providence is revealed to us. "Let us pray for a fuller understanding of our duty towards our neighbour to-day; that we may help to purify our civilization and make it truly Christian, and that we may in our action towards our fellow men bear faithful witness to Christ. "Let us pray that God will inspire men and women to devote themselves to the various tasks of the Christian ministry, and that He will guide His Church in dealing with the questions of the choice, training, and support of those who are willing thus to consecrate their lives to His service. "Let us pray for wisdom in the presentation of the Gospel to nonChristian peoples, and specially that guidance may be given to those who are confronted with the problem of racial antagonism, so that they may rightly apply the apostolic lesson, 'Ye are all one man in Christ Jesus.' "Let us pray for a larger recognition of our responsibility and for more power to fulfil it, and specially that the Church may be able to make due provision for the pioneers of our race, that for their own sake and for the sake of the races with whom they mingle they may be saved from falling away from God. "Let us pray for wisdom and charity in dealing with the problems of religious education, and, above all, for a deepened sense of the duty of parents and of the sacredness of the home. "Lastly, let us pray for the Anglican Communion in all parts of the world, that we may understand the mission which God has entrusted to us, and our duty to those who are separated from us, that we may penitently recognize our failings and humbly go forward in unity and love to the fulfilment of our common work. "And, as we pray unto God for future mercies, so let us praise His Most Holy Name for those we have already received, for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life, but, above all, for our redemption through Christ Jesus, for the means of grace afforded us here, and for the hope of glory hereafter. These prayers and praises let us humbly offer up to the Throne of Heaven in the words which Christ Himself hath taught us." After the recital of each supplication there was an interval for silent beseeching of grace, and at the close the Lord's Prayer was said by all. "O Holy Ghost, Thy people bless," was the only hymn included in the service. Up to this time the Dean and Minor Canon Bainbridge had officiated, but the Archbishop of Canterbury brought the service to a close by pronouncing the following ancient benediction: "The Lord shed forth upon you showers of heavenly blessing, and by His Holy Spirit pour into your hearts the gift of His own charity; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.” As the congregation left, Sir Frederick Bridge played Wesley's Choral Song. Simultaneously a service was held at St. Margaret's, Westminster. |