The Church Index Part 11

10th Swell Pedal.

11th Great Organ to Pedals.

ST. JUDE'S, SOUTH KENSINGTON.-Since our earlier article on this church was printed, some slight changes have taken place in the service,-the most conspicuous of which is the adoption by the Vicar in deference to the view taken of the question by the Bishops, of the surplice in the pulpit. The Rev. R. W. Forrest, however, has not changed the tone of his preaching, if he has seen fit to change in the matter of vestment. He is still evangelically effective, and does not appear to have diminished the number of his friends by the incident. Not, however, that it has pa.s.sed without remark; but no one suspects Mr. Forrest of general Ritualistic designs. By the kindness of the Architects, the Messrs. G.o.dwin, of Brompton, we are enabled to produce an excellent view of the interior of this fine church, and also a view of the exterior, as it will be when, as we hope, not long hence, the tower and the spire will be completed.

THE SWEDENBORGIAN CHURCH AT KENSINGTON.-The chapel in the Mall, Kensington, which had been successively a sphere for the ministration of the Rev. Mr. Offord, and the Rev. Dr. Schwartz, but purchased by a gentleman in the North of England, redecorated, and endowed with an income of 300_l._ a year, for the use of the Swedenborgian or New Jerusalem Church. The pastor is the Rev. Dr. Bayley, of Argyle Square, and the dedication festival took place on Thursday afternoon, the 21st of March, 1872. The ceremonies consisted of a service in the church, conducted by the Rev. Dr. Bayley, Rev. Dr. Tafel, and Rev. W. Bruce, a tea-meeting, and the annual gathering of the New Church a.s.sociation, when an excellent selection of vocal music was performed. Large numbers were present on each occasion. The chapel has been entirely refitted at considerable cost, and is now seated for nine hundred. There are two handsome octagon pulpits, one on each side of the communion, and built of a mixture of very rare South American wood and j.a.panese elm, the panels being elaborately and tastefully carved. The communion-table is of the same material, and also the font, which is octagon, and has a basin of solid silver. The chapel has a good organ, by Wadsworth, of Manchester.

The whole of the improvements have been most tastefully executed by the Messrs. Dove Brothers, of Islington.

THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.-This congregation, formerly meeting in the above chapel, still carry on service in the Mall Hall very near to it, but the Presbytery are a.s.sisting it to acquire a new and commodious church, and delay is mainly occasioned by the great difficulty experienced in procuring a suitable site for the building. It is, however, not improbable that a site will open in the Kensington Park Road, northward, than which a more important one could scarcely be selected.

THE SURPLICE IN THE PULPIT.-A conference of clergy and laity was held on Wednesday, January 24, 1872, at Exeter Hall, to consider the Bishop of London's recommendation in his recent charge, that clergymen should wear the surplice in the pulpit. The points to be discussed had previously been submitted by circular to 1,250 Evangelical Churchmen. On the motion of the Rev. J. C. Ryle, the following resolutions were adopted, with four dissentients: 1. "That the general adoption of the surplice as the pulpit dress, before the legality of such dress is duly established by law, is highly inexpedient, inasmuch as it is a departure from long established usage, is contrary to the recommendation of the Ritual Commissioners, and is not desired by the laity; and furthermore is likely to give grave offence to many congregations, and to disturb the peace of the church."

2. "That this resolution be signed by the chairman, and embodied in a memorial, on behalf of the conference and the bodies represented in it, to be forwarded to the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, and made public in any way the Council of the Church a.s.sociation and the Committee of the Clerical and Lay Union may think best." In the course of the discussion, the Rev. Capel Molyneux, Vicar of St. Paul's, Onslow-square, South Kensington, said that he would never consent to be inveigled by the bishops into giving up first one thing and then another merely to please the Ritualistic Romanisers in the Church. The surplice was the badge of priestcraft, and he thanked G.o.d he was not a priest. (A Voice: What are you, then?) He had always preached in his gown, and he would continue to do so until the end. He would urge all Evangelicals never to preach in a surplice, but to let the black gown be a badge of those who faithfully preach Christ. The Rev. J. C. Ryle, the Rev. Mr. Money, &c., spoke in a similar strain, and expressed determination to resist the suggested change of vestment to the end.

ESSAYS.

A COMPARATIVE DENOMINATIONAL VIEW.

OF ESTABLISHED CHURCHES there are 25 in Kensington, giving 30,020 seats, or an average of 1250 each; and of this number, 10,883, or rather more than one-third, are free.

Of NONCONFORMING CHAPELS and other places, such as rooms or halls, 25, furnishing accommodation for 15,550, of which 5370 are free seats.

The ROMAN CATHOLICS have four churches, which are the foremost of that persuasion in London. The Pro-Cathedral provides 1100 seats, inclusive of 150 free; the Oratory 1200, 200 being free; the Church of the Carmelite Friars 800, none free; and that of St. Francis 500, none free.

There is one NON-SECTARIAN CHURCH, the Talbot Tabernacle, with 800 sittings, 200 of them free; and two Non-Sectarian Halls, with s.p.a.ce together for 400.

The FOLLOWERS OF SWEDENBORG have one Chapel, with accommodation for 1000, no seats being definitely free.

Thus it will be seen that all the denominations together supply 49,070 seats, more than three-fifths of which are found by the Church of England; 15,550 by Protestant Nonconformists; and the remainder 3500 by Roman Catholics.

The numbers allotted to English Nonconformity stand as follows:-_Baptists_, 7450; _Congregational_, 2600; _Wesleyan Methodists_, 2250; _Primitive Methodists_, 300; _Scotch Presbyterian_, 600; _Plymouth Brethren_, 150; _Non-Sectarian_, 1200; _Swedenborgians_, 1000, =15,550.

The Established Church is, therefore, relatively strong in Kensington; and when we consider that the whole of this Church accommodation, with a single exception or two, has been provided by voluntary effort, and without the slightest pecuniary aid or benefit from the State, it must be accepted as a striking evidence of the popularity of that Church.

The princ.i.p.al parish Church, now just completed and about to be opened at a cost of but little under 40,000, is built entirely upon the voluntary principle. We have only heard of one instance in all this ma.s.s of property in which a helping hand has been extended, even by the Bishop of London's Fund, and then only to the extent of about 2000. West London Churchmen have been deemed capable of doing their own work, and have been left to do it, and certainly they have done and are doing it.

It is also to be observed that the different ecclesiastical schools in the Church, by mere dint of rivalry, have done comparatively little in this great work. There are three or four decidedly Ritualistic Churches; two or three High Church; two Broad Church, which affects doctrine chiefly; and all the others are really and truly Evangelical Churches, and varying but very slightly, if any thing, in form and ceremony.

Church extension may, therefore, be regarded as a genuine and earnest out-come of English protestant Churchmanship, prompted by higher motives than those connected with Ecclesiastical disputes.

Among the nonconforming bodies, the BAPTISTS are by far the most numerous here. It is, however, very observable that they do not appear to base the strength of their cause upon their denominational views as to Baptism by Immersion; but in every case except one, and that a very small Church, have what is called "open communion," and admit to fellowship Christian believers of good repute generally, even though they disagree on that denominational point. They are, therefore, to be distinguished from the _Ana-Baptists_, who insist upon re-baptism before communion; whilst they are equally far removed from the _Particular Baptists_, who preach particular Redemption. The peculiarities of Calvinism are rarely, if ever, heard from their pulpits. The body, then, that have obtained in Kensington, it may be of some importance to remember, are the _General Baptists_, who are characterized by liberality of sentiment, both as it regards Church conditions and doctrinal teaching. The largest of these Churches is that of Westbourne Grove, under the pastorate of the Rev. W.

G. Lewis.

CONGREGATIONALISM is not largely represented in Kensington, and mainly centres in one or two Churches, viz. that presided over by the Rev. Dr.

Stoughton, in Allen-street, formerly of Hornton-street, and that at Horbury Chapel, under the Rev. W. Roberts,-the former being the older and larger Church. This is highly vigorous and prosperous, and has been progressively so under the now lengthened ministration of Dr. Stoughton.

Aided by the well-known Catholic sentiments of this minister, Independency, in the parish of Kensington, has received a breadth of sympathy with Christian people of other denominations which enables it to maintain the most friendly relations with all.

WESLEYANISM has not hitherto displayed the popular adaptation here by which it is characterized in many parts of the country, not excepting the chief centres of population. Its efforts, however, in this direction, are yet young, and cannot be expected to have gathered the strength and influence of age. It finds, moreover, at least in this part of the metropolis, abler, keener, and more active rivals than in rural parts, or in most provincial towns. The Wesleyans, from their _connexional_ principle, have an immense advantage over other bodies, as it regards the mere building of places of worship, for which, if they chose, they need not be in the least dependent upon mere _local_ effort. If recommended by Conference, a general subscription for a first-cla.s.s chapel in Kensington would be opened in the connexional organs, and closed in a few weeks, with surplus funds at the bankers, over the amount actually required for the purpose. This is a wonderful material facility for any Church to possess, and if the raising of material fabrics were necessarily signs of real success, then it is quite certain that no nonconforming body in the land could compete with the Wesleyans. But in the present condition of society, and distribution of the Churches and Church influences, if there is not sufficient interest in any given locality to build a Chapel wholly or mainly at its own cost, there is but little probability of creating a sufficient interest for the future by simply making it a present from a distance. It might or it might not succeed; but the probability is that it will not. One body of Christians cannot be every where, and there must be some points at which it will be weak.

SCOTCH PRESBYTERIANISM is also without vigorous expression in Kensington.

Always and every where an exotic Southward, it does not seem greatly to flourish. It is a mission, established mainly for the benefit of Scotch residents or travellers, and was never intended to interfere with our native religious and Ecclesiastical growths. Yet we are glad to see it among us. It is a great way of showing how _united_ the _United_ Kingdom is, and our Scotch brethren, with their northern crispness and rigidity, ought to be perfectly at home with us.

In touching on ROMANISM, we have it in this large suburb in all the strength and fascination with which it has. .h.i.therto been imported into the metropolis. Here the wealth of its richest English adherents and foreign residents combine with the talent of its foremost men to give it popular effect. This has been accomplished to a limited extent only; for the result at present is by no means commensurate with the efforts put forth. Yet Protestants may not slumber upon this fact. Romanism here is making a distinct and anxious bid for popular sympathy and local influence, and presents a calmly active energy and fertility of resource which might awaken vigilance if it need not create alarm. Its preachers are eloquent and earnest, its Churches and ritual are gorgeous and costly, its music is enchanting, its monastic orders, its conventual settlements, and all their attached agencies are quietly and ceaselessly at work, and their schools, are diligently plied. Just as we go to press, the foundation stone of a new "Home" is laid at Kensal New Town, and with it, ground taken up for a large Church. This is hard by the new Protestant Church of "St. Andrew's and St. Philip's" on the one hand, and the Baptist Chapel on the other. No stone is being left unturned; and should Ultramontane projects fail in this part of the suburbs, it will be a grievous discouragement to it all over London. It was the promised land marked out for Romanism by Cardinal Wiseman, and Archbishop Manning is striving to lead the people up to possess it. Should he ever succeed in a conspicuous degree, it will be owing as much to Protestant shortcomings as to his own efforts no doubt; but at present there is, on this head, but little reason to complain as far as building of Churches and Chapels is concerned.

CHURCH BUILDING.

THAT we live in a Church-building age is made manifest in the foregoing pages. Of the fifty-three Churches and Chapels in Kensington, fifteen have been erected and opened within the last five years; sixteen others within ten years; and in all within the past twenty years there have been no less than forty-three erections. Five Churches and Chapels are over twenty years of age, three over thirty, and two have stood for a century,-and still remain. The old St. Mary Abbotts has succ.u.mbed to the weight of years, and a new and splendid fabric has just taken its place.

A half a million of money is represented in these structures, by far the larger half of which has been raised and expected within the last decade.

Whatever the verdict of posterity may be upon these buildings from an artistic point of view, it will not hesitate to accord the high merit of distinguished energy and liberality. As to Architecture, some few of these erections embody and will hand down to future times examples of the improved taste of our day; but for the most part they have been erected under pressure of urgent necessity, arising from the rapid and overwhelming outflow of population towards the western suburbs. The question has been all along how places could be erected with sufficient speed to save new communities from habitual forgetfulness of the Sabbath and public worship for the mere want of places in which to a.s.semble.

Never has been in the past, never probably will be in time to come, an extensive suburban area like this so rapidly covered with habitations of men and all the concomitants of our social life. So recently as 1845, when the Church of St. John was erected on the crest of Notting-hill, the eye ranged from that eminence north and west only over open fields, and it was thought at the time that the Church had been placed too far in the country. Yet St. John's now stands in the centre as it were of a vast city, the unbroken lines of which stretch around and away for miles. St.

John's would never now be thought or spoken of as "in the fields" any more than St. Paul's, Knightsbridge, or St. Mary's, Paddington. The same is true of many other Churches first erected on the border-land; and it is not until we realize the extraordinary rapidity with which this mighty change has been wrought, that we can understand the comparative hurry in which some of the Churches have been built; but in most cases they are substantial buildings, and offer scope for further decoration and filling up of the Architect's original designs as opportunity offers.

The province and purpose of the Temporary Iron Church has been most marked in Kensington. There are but few exceptions to the rule that, as to the later erections Iron has been the pioneer of stone or brick. It is utilized for the first formation of districts and sub-parishes, and for the collection of congregations. The young clergyman settles himself down to a new locality, puts up the Temporary Church at a small cost,-in the midst of bricks and lime, heaps, and scaffolding all around; the houses, however, are soon completed and occupied, and in two or three years he feels himself strong enough to turn his attention seriously to a permanent erection, and in many cases in an incredibly short time the work is accomplished, and the useful Iron friend is sold or hired out to some brother minister who wishes to imitate the process in another place.

Of course the Iron Church comes in for its share of contempt from the fastidious. It is "dingy-looking," unattractive in every architectural respect, and denounced with its so-called "_tin-kettle_" bell as a disfigurement to the neighbourhood, and offensive to the ear. But it does a good work notwithstanding, and ought to be highly prized and respected for its work's sake. There are, moreover, instances in which some of the objectionable features can be got over, and, at least, the interior of the Iron Church be made elegant and inviting. The nicest individual ought to feel pleased with an interior like that of St. John the Baptist's Church in Holland-road; where Mr. Edmeston, the Architect, has displayed a taste and contrivance which almost impose on one the idea that he is in a well-built permanent Church instead of a temporary one.

He had previously exhibited great taste in his treatment of the interior of St. Peter's Notting-hill, which is considered one of the most beautiful in London; and with a far inferior subject at St. John the Baptist's has not been wanting to himself. Indeed, we could scarcely have believed that so good general effect could have been wrought out between iron walls. The people at that Church can well be content with their lot for some little time to come, should it not yet be convenient to build in a more costly and enduring style.

We are glad to be able to supply in these pages views of a number of the princ.i.p.al Churches and Chapels, which will give the reader a better idea of the state of Church Architecture among us than any pen and ink description without their aid. To begin with the new parish Church; both the exterior and interior are seen as reduced for this work from larger drawings, by permission of the Architect, Mr. G. G. Scott, by Mr. Avery, the photographer, of the Ladbroke-road. They make beautiful pictures, and show an edifice which, when all complete, will be in every way worthy of the Court Suburb. We have also a capital drawing of the old Church-_In Memoriam_-taken expressly for the "Index," that it might not be quite lost sight of amidst the superior splendour of the modern temple. And to complete the series, Messrs. Hill and Son, of the Euston-road, have enabled us to introduce a woodcut of the magnificent new organ they are building for the Church, and whose tones will be heard at the opening in a few weeks' time. These ill.u.s.trations of themselves would have been sufficient to give unusual interest to the work; but we are favoured with many more. Kensington Churches, as a whole, are so fairly and fully ill.u.s.trated, that nearly every style of building is seen that has. .h.i.therto obtained among us. St. Peter's, Onslow-gardens, through the esteemed favour of the founder and patron, C. J. Freake, Esq., shows a fine interior as well as neat exterior; and St. Jude's, South Kensington, the same-only in the latter case the spire represented is not yet built. St. Paul's, Onslow-square, is a specimen of plain unambitious gothic, in great measure purposely so, as according with the order of things inst.i.tuted there; but partly, also, from the necessity existing at the time for making haste with the work. St. Mark's, Notting-hill, is an example of another kind, and by the kindness of the Rev. E. K. Kendall, the Vicar, we are enabled to introduce an excellent engraving. Mr. Keeling has here displayed professional skill and freedom,-as also in St. George's, Campden-hill. The picturesque effect both in outline and detail is boldly sought, and successfully obtained; and we have a good view of the exterior. Mr. Varley's Tabernacle, as will be seen, is putting on a very improved countenance, under the hands of Messrs. Habershon and Pite, and from being utterly devoid of attraction, will be henceforth recognized as an ornament to the neighbourhood. The beautiful Church of St. Barnabas, one of the very best specimens of Ecclesiastical Architecture in the parish, together with its useful appendage the "Church House," are seen by favour of the Rev. Dr. Hessey, who has kindly supplied the blocks for the purpose. The "Church House" is capable of being converted at any convenient time into a building of greater parochial importance; and, in fact, considering the popularity of the Church in that immediate neighbourhood under the good influence of Dr. Hessey, the time may not be far distant.

Through the good offices of Mr. Bridgnell, of Warwick-gardens, we have an engraving Wesleyan Chapel there. It is the nearest neighbour of Dr.

Hessey's Church, and one of the best productions of Mr. W. Poc.o.c.k, who is a popular Architect in Wesleyan circles. He has here produced a Chapel, or rather a Church, which, for architectural expression and cheapness combined, may compare with any thing we have seen. Nothing has struck us more in this review of our Churches than the unaccountable difference in the _mere cost_ of production. In Kensington we can point to Chapels and Churches that have cost the promoters nearly as much again as the Warwick-gardens Wesleyan Chapel cost, and are barely half so large, commodious, or beautiful. In this matter there surely must be an open path to improvement. It is painful even to think that 8000 and 10,000 are expended upon places inferior in every respect to others that cost about half the sum. It is good for people who are thinking of building to take this fact into consideration. If they desire to have superb structures, and are prepared to pay for them, let them take care they have full value for their money; if otherwise, and they have only moderate means, still let them get as much as their funds can procure.

CHURCH MUSIC.

THE great variety in Church Music which we have noticed during our tour of the churches naturally leads us to some remarks upon this subject. We cannot doubt that great exertions have been, and are still being made, to secure what is considered by the promoters a becoming performance of this part of public worship. We have not entered a church or chapel where singing the praises of G.o.d has not formed a prominent feature of the service, for it so happens that we have not been able to find a Quakers'

Meeting in all the parish of Kensington. In some cases the "service of song" is redundant and all-pervading in the worship, which may be said to consist almost entirely of singing in one form or another, _i.e._ by the minister, the choir, or the congregation, either in their different parts or together. In Roman Catholic places one is prepared to expect a super-abundance of music of a certain kind; but we have found in at least four English churches in the parish an almost equally exuberant display.

In the majority of cases, however, a better proportion is maintained in this in its relation to other parts of Divine Service. In nonconforming congregations there is clearly a general desire to bring up the standard of their musical performances to the requirements of the times, and in several instances this has been accomplished with great success. We find included in their programme the _Te Deum Laudamus_, and sometimes an anthem with the words taken from Scripture, which, added to the usual hymns in use-sung as simple chorales in unison by the whole congregation-make a pleasing variety in the service, and often conduce to the best devotional effects. The degree of this of course depends greatly upon the skill of the execution, which again depends upon the degree of musical knowledge and capacity possessed. In some cases we observe a tendency to cultivate congregational singing in harmony, but it does not well succeed, for the manifest reason that all the congregation are not adequately trained to _part-singing_. It thus sometimes happens that a number of the people persist in unisonal singing to the best of their ability, whilst the more educated with their music before them struggle on for the effect of harmony by rigidly adhering to their own parts. This creates confusion, and greatly mars the effect of the whole,-an evil which, we can only hope to see remedied by a more general diffusion of the whole,-an evil which we can only hope to see remedied by a more general diffusion of musical knowledge. If the time has come when music is to be insisted on as one part of ever child's education, the period cannot be far distant when a more perfect state of things will obtain. We cannot conceive a more delightful effect upon the mind than that producible by a whole congregation singing in perfect harmony some of those beautiful hymns which embody, when merely read, so much of elevating sentiment. We are compelled, however, to notice that the majority of the hymn collections we have seen, both in churches and chapels, contain compositions so inferior to the ideas themselves which possess the mind of any intelligent worshipper, that, guided by the words before the eye, it is impossible to rise to the highest sense of devotion. The conclusion is, therefore, forced upon us, that any considerable advance in musical education must be supplemented by a thorough revision of these collections, or by putting them aside altogether in favour of others that shall comprise all their beauties, and rigidly exclude their deformities-the feebleness of sentiment and expression, the doggerel and frequent lack of good sense. The age is in want of a master-mind in the important department of hymn composition and collation for the service of the sanctuary. If any able writer and compiler should be so inspired, he might now labour with the greatest advantage to Christian worship, if he can combine the religious fervour and enlightenment of some earlier hymnists with the science of the present times.

It should be laid down as an unalterable rule that the object of all sacred music intended for the use of the sanctuary is to enable as many of the congregation as have voice and inclination to join in the service of holy song. Tested by this principle the congregational adaptation of music would seem to be the most, if not the only, suitable method. We would not say that other forms might not occasionally be employed with advantage to musical expression, and, perhaps, to the exciting of religious feeling in the hearer; but _choral-singing_ and _anthems_ ought not to be adopted as constant and princ.i.p.al parts of public worship, as is now the case in many churches. The reasons against this are obvious: it excludes the people from partic.i.p.ating in the devotions, and is apt to turn them into mere admirers of human art and skill, whilst it tends to the introduction of a florid style, bordering too closely on secular music, and not consistent with the solemn grandeur, the mingling joyousness, and plaintive emotion which ought ever to attend Christian worship. Some years ago it was felt, and justly so, that the musical part of public worship had been too much neglected, and had fallen into disrepute. A revival to a proper standard of efficiency was necessary, and in seeking to promote this some have fallen into the other extreme.

In a number of parish and district churches the choral, that is, cathedral service, is adopted, without any regard to the fact that this form of song was never designed for such use, and intended only for cathedral and college foundations, where the entire body performing it were understood and expected to have a competent knowledge of the musical art. Its general application was never contemplated, and, as far as our observation goes, it cannot be done without prejudice to other and still more important branches of public worship. It will be seen that in some churches nearly the whole of the service is now song, and to such an excess is this carried, that there is scarcely any time left for the sermon. And this is intentionally so; for some clergymen do not hesitate to say that the sermon is of little consequence, and that they make no account of it as compared with the other parts of their service. The minister chants his portions of the Liturgy from beginning to end in a monotone. The choir with the people alternately chant the versicles and responses; the Psalms for the day are chanted. Then there is the service of the hymns, alternate chanting of the Litany, intoning and responding to the commandments in song, singing of the Nicene Creed, the Sanctus, and Gloria in Excelsis, and other parts permitted to be sung by the rubrics, and, added to all, the anthem by the choir, which is often of considerable length. In this kind of service there is scarcely any thing left soberly to be _said_ which the common people can readily appreciate and heartily join in. If they are not up to the music they cannot follow, and if they cannot imbibe the words they have no profit. The music, too, is often of that kind which bars their uniting in it intelligently. It would seem proper that the Psalms should be chanted.

Their very name seems to point out that there can be no objection to this; but the objection lies against the music to which they are generally set. The _Gregorian_ and other cognate chants are adopted because of their ease and simplicity, being within the compa.s.s and ability of every one's voice; but the sense of the words, upon the meaning of which the very essence of devotion depends, is almost totally sacrificed to the music. The words are slurred over, and often whole sections of verses are necessarily dropped, so that if what is really sung were put down on paper no sense whatever could be made of it.

Unless music can be rendered more conservative of the words and sense of these inspired compositions, it would be better far to read them alternately, as is done with good and lively effect in many churches. On what ground the Nicene Creed is chanted instead of being said, and why the minister monotones the commandments as well as the people sing the responses to them, is not easy to comprehend. Notwithstanding the superst.i.tious belief of the Jewish people, we dare believe that the Ten Commandments were never given by Moses from Mount Sinai in a recitative.

It is therefore evident to us that, whilst in some of the churches the musical standard is slightly too low, both in quality and decree, and a certain languor results therefrom to the service, on the other hand true spiritual vigour in the worship is still more endangered by the opposite extreme to which we have referred. In a just medium lies all the virtue and good effect of Church Music. It should neither be so much as to obscure or invade unduly other parts of public worship and service, nor be so little as not to a.s.sist them. It should neither be so florid as to dissipate devotional feeling, nor so dull as to prejudice its cheerfulness.

THE CHURCH AND POPULATION.