The Church Index Part 4

THE FATHERS.-At the present time there are fourteen attached to the Oratory, the majority, we are informed, having been previously clergymen in the Church of England. Their names are as follows: The Very Rev. W.

T. Gordon (superior); the Rev. John B. Dalgairns, the Rev. Richard M.

Stanton, Thomas F. Knox, John G. Bowden, Edward G. Bagshaw, James B.

Rowe, Felix Philpin, Edward S. Keogh, W. B. Morris, Chas. H. Bowden, Kenelm Digby Beste, Thomas Graves Law (nephew of the Earl of Ellenborough), James Arthur V. Maude, Francis A. O. Carroll, Henry G. S.

Bowden. There is a large library belonging to the Fathers in common, which occupies an entire quadrangle, about one-third the length of the church itself westward, where the clergy spend such spare moments as they can s.n.a.t.c.h from their other engagements. Little is known of these gentlemen by the outside world. They act their parts from day to day within the sombre enclosure of their high brick walls, and continue to be content to move in their appointed spheres amidst the gaudy but wearisome formalism within. On Sunday morning, May 14, it was High Ma.s.s at the eleven o'clock service. The magnificent organ, played by Mr. Pitts, sent forth its thrilling peals precisely at the moment. The organ itself is considered one of the very best in London, and cost 2,000_l._ Meanwhile four princ.i.p.al priests appeared at the altar, and after bowing several times turned to face the congregation. They proceed to the front of the chancel, the centre one waving a rod, and one on each side bearing his train and exhibiting the rich scarlet lining of his robe. He bows lowly, and stretches out the rod waving it right and left over the people, and they retire again to the altar. This action in glittering vestments, heralded and followed by bursting music, is in all respects like the opening scene of an opera, and ostensibly not a whit more solemn or religious. It is difficult to realise that you are in a house of prayer.

It is useless here to give a description of the whole performance.

Barring a few brief intonings of the priests in Latin it consisted entirely of the sundry dumb and complicated bodily movements peculiar to the Ma.s.s. If we were to criticise them it could only be to say, as we should say of any other performing company, that this performer was more graceful and striking in his action, et cetera, than the other. The plentiful smoke of incense and the music made up the rest. This latter accompanied the whole with the briefest intervals. There were solos and choruses innumerable, and the art-pretension of the performance was its great feature. The choir is railed in effectually from the congregation around the organ, and consists of male singers only in plain dress, under the conduct of M. Wilhelm Schulthes, a composer of some note. It is but just to say that the singing was in itself excellent, if one could forget the main object for which a church is erected. The voices were unexceptionally good, and the parts brilliantly executed; but the whole was _operatic_ in effect-too secular, and too much of it, to a.s.sist devotion. But the Ma.s.s music of the day is employed with a special regard to popularity; which, however, as a matter of fact, and as a part of religious service, it does not succeed in acquiring. There is, after all, an idea, however vague, in the popular mind of the moral "fitness of things," and if people find themselves in a place ostensibly for Christian wors.h.i.+p, and yet chiefly entertained with an artistic and elaborate display of music not distinctively devotional, it does not commend itself to their better judgment. The congregation at the Oratory on Sunday morning appears to bear out this remark. Had the same musical skill been announced for an ordinary evening concert in any London music-hall it would have commanded plenty of patronage at 5s. and 2s.

6d.; but in this case (although the charge was only 3d., and 1s. for the best seats) they were far from fully occupied. Undoubtedly, the most rational and appropriate part of the service was the sermon, which was preached _extempore_ by Father Law, who is the morning preacher for the "Month of Mary"-a somewhat youthful-looking Father, but he discovers considerable maturity of mind; and somewhat pleasingly surprised us at the Protestant colour of some parts of his teaching. Grounding his remarks upon Luke xix. 5: "Zaccheus make haste and come down, for to-day I must abide at thy house," the preacher explained how it was that Jesus dwelt with his people. In pa.s.sing, the preacher observed that Christ dwelt with us in his Church, sacraments, and through the "Blessed Lady,"

who ruled over them that day, in allusion to the peculiar homage paid to the Virgin at this time. But this was only in pa.s.sing, and as though to keep his Catholicism in countenance. He enlarged chiefly and with much feeling upon what was, he said, "most important of all," "Christ dwelling in us by the Holy Ghost, and so abiding with us," in our inner life. The Rev. Father seemed for the moment to rise above the trammels of peculiar Popish dogmas, and to conceive the fundamentals of religious life as practicable without them. Certainly he did not say as much in as many words, but if he did not intend it, his discourse was without meaning or aim. It is remarkable that on the previous Sunday we listened to an Anglican divine discoursing on the same subject, and were boldly told without any qualification that Christ dwelt in his people "by means of the Holy Sacraments."

There are attached to the Oratory day-schools for boys and girls, which are carried on in Pont-place, near to St. Luke's Church, and are rather numerously attended. There is also what is termed "The Nursery of our Lady and St. Philip Creche," at 56, Walton-street, where infants of working people, from three weeks to five years old, are taken charge of whilst their parents are at work in the day-time. References must be given as to honesty and engagements before the child is admitted, and 3d.

per day is charged for each child. The church itself will accommodate about 1,200 persons.

KENSINGTON CONGREGATIONAL CHAPEL.

KENSINGTON CHAPEL, on the east side of Allen-street, is worthy of notice.

It is substantially built of stone, and commands a foremost place amongst the best examples of cla.s.sic architecture in the neighbourhood. The portico is the most noticeable portion. Its Corinthian columns and pilasters are in good proportion and well-executed, and a.s.sure even the most unpractised eye of their capability to support the ma.s.sive entablature and pediments that surmount them. The present minister, Dr.

Stoughton, laid the chief corner-stone in June, 1864. The interior is well and handsomely treated, and is light, commodious, and adapted for sound. The large British School recently erected is certainly not an improvement to the architectural appearance of the chapel. There is a want of truthfulness about the design, which one must regret, seeing that the chapel itself is in such good taste.

The church connected with this place traces its origin so far back as the year 1795, and owns a very interesting history. The first Congregational Chapel was in Hornton-street, and was founded in 1793; and in October, 1794, the Rev. Dr. Lake was chosen first pastor. In March of the following year he gathered into religious communion about forty persons, and on the 9th of April following was solemnly ordained to the pastorate by Dr. Hunter, author of "Scripture Biography," who was a.s.sisted in the service by other ministers. The church and congregation gradually increased under Dr. Lake's ministry, and also under his successors.

These were men of no less eminence than the Revs. John Clayton, Dr.

Liefchild, and Dr. Vaughan. For a church to have held such pastoral relations in unbroken succession, and for these to be followed and crowned by the worthy name of the present esteemed minister, Dr.

Stoughton, is a remarkable fact, and prepares us for chronicles of superior influence and success. In this we are not disappointed. In the year 1845 the jubilee of the church was celebrated. Dr. Stoughton had commenced his ministry in 1843, and on the 50th anniversary preached a commemorative sermon. From this, which is in print, it would appear that the first half-century witnessed a gradual but certain growth of Congregationalism in the town, the number of church members having increased from the foundation number of 40 to 251. These were the figures when Dr. Stoughton began his work. The labour of those earlier times had been well and patiently done, and the basis firmly laid for a larger edifice of success to come. The Rev. John Stoughton appears to have been the well-chosen minister for the opening era of its later history. On Monday, October 4, 1868, the church and its friends rejoiced together over the fruits of the pastor's labours through a quarter of a century. At that time, which may be allowed to speak for the present, 1,200 members had been added, and there was a fixed members.h.i.+p of 500, having just doubled itself since 1843. The Hornton-street Chapel had been enlarged in 1845 at a cost of 1,400_l._; a branch chapel-now known as the Horbury Chapel, Notting-hill-had been built in 1849, and a church, of 40 members and 100 seat-holders, given it from the parent congregation to begin with. This new cause was largely aided and supported by Mr.

Stoughton and his people. Notwithstanding this separation, the places of those who had retired to the north of the parish were soon filled, and the chapel became overcrowded, so that it became a necessity to provide new and enlarged accommodation. Hence the present commodious chapel in Allen-street, which was opened for Divine wors.h.i.+p on the 30th of May, 1855, the foundation-stone having been laid in June, 1854. The entire cost, including the freehold site and organ, was 8,748_l._ 9s. 6d., the whole of which was defrayed by the end of January, 1860; 600_l._ more was laid out on repairs and embellishments in 1863. There is accommodation for 1,000, including about 250 free sittings. More recently British schools have been built, adjoining the chapel, at an outlay of 5,000_l._, which now have from 300 to 400 children in attendance. Here, also, large and important Sunday-schools are conducted, having about 700 children under religious instruction. These were established in the year 1809.

We understand that every available sitting is at present let; and the congregation contains several persons of literary eminence and professional distinction. It is generally of that character which a minister of Dr. Stoughton's ability may be expected to draw and keep around him. For Christian liberality it is justly ent.i.tled to a record; and is, undoubtedly, one of the best instances to be found of what can be achieved on the voluntary principle when intelligently and powerfully directed. During the first twenty-five years of Dr. Stoughton's ministry-independently of the amounts raised by pew rents, &c., for support of the ministry-there was raised for various objects the n.o.ble sum of 32,821_l._, being an average of 1,313_l._ per annum. 12,800_l._ was for chapel and school building purposes; 8,870_l._ for missionary societies at home and abroad; 5,630_l._ for support of educational inst.i.tutions; and 5,480_l._ for relief of the poor and distressed, both in a general way and in various cases of public need. This scale of giving is maintained and even enlarged upon, the church raising 500_l._ for the London Missionary Society last year; and-which may be considered an expression of genuine catholicity of spirit-contributing 100_l._ towards the building fund of the new parish church now in course of re-erection. Annual collections are made for St. Mary's Hospital, Paddington, the West London Hospital, for a Christmas Poor Fund, Chapel Building Society, London City Mission, and various other Christian objects. There is no endowment, and the ministry is entirely supported from seat rents. As a proof of the esteem in which the minister is held, the church voted him 400_l._ in 1868, to enable him to visit Palestine, which he did; and it may be added that at the present time a co-pastor is being arranged for to a.s.sist him in his labours.

The Rev. Dr. Stoughton has the good fortune-attending but few settled pastors in the same degree-to enjoy the continued confidence and good opinion of his people; and through the effect of a prolonged ministry he has acquired an amount of influence over them seldom realised. That influence has been for good. It has lifted them out of the narrowness which, rightly or wrongly, is generally considered an attribute of close churches; it has moulded them into a catholic temper, and imbued them with social sympathies which render them a fact and a power in the town and district. "Like priest, like people," is an old adage; and probably it has never found a better ill.u.s.tration than in the present instance.

And where the former has strength and goodness combined, the likeness to himself he impresses upon his congregation over a long ministry, at any rate, ought to be traceable. Dr. Stoughton himself cultivates the most friendly relations with ministers and Christian people of all denominations. Occasionally at his house may be witnessed a little Evangelical Alliance, in the presence of a bishop, or a dean, or an archdeacon, with clergymen Episcopal, Baptist, Methodist, and Congregational; and the same genuine fraternal feeling he carries into public meetings and committees of all kinds where general Christian or social interests are concerned. On the rev. gentleman's pulpit characteristics it is scarcely necessary to enlarge. In these sketches it is our plan only to say enough on this point to indicate the general standard of preaching, talent, or apt.i.tude, together with the doctrinal teaching and mode of conducting service. As to the latter, the minister appears in the pulpit in a gown; and in the singing part of the service the usual Congregational Hymn-book is supplemented by a collection of church music, consisting of chants, anthems, _Te Deum_ and Sanctuses.

After the second prayer the _Te Deum_ is sung; and the music, both for hymns and chants, inclines pretty much to the Gregorian strain. We may describe this congregation, in its general tone and style of wors.h.i.+p, as occupying that part of the Dissenting territory which lies nearest the Church of England. In the minister's personal part there is a brief opening prayer, a lesson, a second prayer, a second lesson, and a third prayer; and in these several extempore pet.i.tions, in the present instance, were included almost every conceivable object of supplication hardly exceeded in variety of matter by the Book of Common Prayer itself.

The discourse was founded on 2nd Corinthians x, 5: "Bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ," and was delivered extempore, with the aid only of a ma.n.u.script skeleton. The perfect ease and quiet of the preacher is apt at first to tempt the stranger to think him slightly indifferent to his hearers; but he has only to be heard a while to convince one that the feature arises from complete self-control and command of his own thoughts; and that, so far from indifference, it arises from deliberate anxiety to clear himself with the intellect and conscience of his audience. It is certain that this is achieved with great success. The clearness of the preacher's thoughts, and equal clearness and felicity of his language, make one feel as though sitting in the calm light of intellect, reflected from every point of the compa.s.s. Starting with the a.s.sertion that the words of the text were directly "against the grain" of the "most fas.h.i.+onable thinking of the day," which was on the side of what was called "freedom of thought," he entered the lists with the free-thinkers of the period. Demonstrating with a masterly hand that the true liberty of our nature is only found in the captivity of thought to the obedience of Christ, he showed, on the other, with convincing power, that the boasted "freedom" of the day was slavery itself. It was slavishness to prejudice, to some human irresponsible authority, to the most "fantastic ideas," without any basis in reason, to an idea of novelty and change, where, however, there was no originality; for, the preacher remarked, amidst all this, "originality was a very rare thing in our time." The freedom contended for was one which bound our whole nature up in the bonds of fixed and rigid laws of development, which extinguished the very possibility of freedom. After so withering an exposure of the boasted free thought of the age, there was peculiar force and beauty in pressing home the great Gospel truth, "But if the Son shall make you free, then are ye free indeed." Christ carries us away captive; but He does it as a conqueror of our foes, who tyrannised over us; and following in His train is our deliverance, our "freedom."

On Sunday, service is held at 11 A.M. and 6.30 P.M., and at 3.15 P.M. a prayer-meeting in the Lecture-room. The Lord's Supper the first Sunday in the month after morning service; baptism every three months, both to adults and children, or more frequently if desired. Communion tickets are distributed to members in December, which they are expected to put into the plate after each celebration. Members are accepted after private conversation with the minister, and approval by the church in its ensuing monthly meeting. The time when the minister may be consulted on this solemn subject is from six to seven on Thursday evenings weekly.

THE WESLEYAN CHAPEL, WARWICK GARDENS.

THE WESLEYAN CHAPEL, situate at the corner of Warwick-gardens, Kensington, is a specimen of one of those buildings by which we may say that Nonconformists have made a step in the right direction. It is architectural, and, though of simple character as regards material, being of brick and stone and covered with slate, yet the brick and stone have been treated very successfully in the design of the west front. It claims to be an example of Early English work, and, with its spire and pinnacles, forms a good feature, seen from the entrance of the gardens from the Kensington main road. Enclosed by iron gates and rails, and dwarf walls, the chapel is approached by a flight of steps and entered by a vestibule or lobby, which also gives access, to the right and left, to the gallery stairs. Inside, considering the large galleries, which at all times are an objection, the effect is exceedingly good. The light ribbed roof over the body of the chapel is supported by a timber arcade of very good design, and if, instead of iron, the columns that receive the arcade had been of wood, we should, in spite of the galleries, have been able to report some very successfully effective work. The organ is recessed, and appears just above a somewhat tall and bulky pulpit.

Beyond this there is very little to remark save the quiet neatness that prevails generally. The bas.e.m.e.nt is occupied by school and cla.s.s rooms and offices, with separate entrances and approaches. The chapel is from the designs of Messrs. Lockwood and Mawson, of London and Bradford; and the building contract carried out by Mr. Nevill Simonds, of London. The warming was executed by Messrs. Stuart and Smith, of Sheffield; and the standard gas-lights by Messrs. Thoma.s.son and Co., of Birmingham.

[Picture: Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, Warwick Gardens]

This chapel was opened for wors.h.i.+p on Thursday, the 10th December, 1863, and is partly the fruit of a general effort among the Wesleyan Methodists for chapel extension in London and its suburbs. The first metropolitan chapel building fund was started in 1861, and zealously promoted by the Rev. W. Arthur, M.A., and the late Rev. John Scott, in connexion with several of the wealthier laymen. The spirit of church and chapel erection which has recently taken hold of other leading religious bodies, and notably of the Establishment, has been largely partic.i.p.ated in by the Wesleyan body; so that the chapel business which centres in a Chapel Committee has become a very large and imposing department. It superintends the erection of chapels in every part of the Connexion, and has its rules upon which these works are to be carried out. Every chapel built without compliance with its regulations and primary sanction is jealously viewed, and reported to Conference as irregular, with profound "regrets" at the Methodistic insubordination implied in it. No matter though a chapel be made really a good property of and handed over, it cannot condone the offence against the spirit of _red-tapeism_ centreing in the Conference Committee. It will only be officially recognised after a good scolding has been administered to the offenders for the pains they have taken to erect a chapel for Methodism. This is one of the points at which the Central Conference rule is liable to collision with local voluntary efforts, and often produces great irritation. The Committee administers the chapel erection fund and makes grants in aid. It also controls a large sum of money-raised some years ago to a.s.sist in clearing chapels from debt. This money is lent out to trustees upon application, to be returned in so many annual instalments, free of interest. Probably no fund has been more useful to the material interests of Methodism.

Chapels formerly burdened with debt have been set free by yearly payments similar to what they were before paying for interest; and thus their resources have been left available for extension purposes. There is also a special fund for chapel building in Watering-places, commenced by the Rev. W. M. Punshon in 1861, which succeeded very well as far as it went, but did not attain large dimensions. The "Metropolitan Chapel Building Fund" is a more important and progressive affair. It started with a subscribed fund of 20,000_l._, to be kept up by annual appeals; and an effort is now being made to raise a very much larger sum-Sir Francis Lycett having made the generous offer of 50,000_l._, to be distributed in sums of 1,000_l._ each to fifty new chapels, that shall be erected in the metropolis with a specified accommodation, within a given time. For this offer to be utilised to the full extent, at least 200,000_l._ will have to be raised.

The Warwick gardens Chapel benefited from the first fund to the extent of 1,000_l._, the whole estimated cost being 4,700_l._ In default of a freehold, 32_l._ per annum is paid as ground-rent, which was to be covered by a yearly investment. 1,175_l._ was left as a temporary debt, to be paid off within one year. We believe, however, that this was found to be impossible, and the debt in whole or part, still remains. The estimated income from seat-rents was fixed at 200_l._ per annum, a very small estimate indeed, had the project succeeded. But in this there has been grievous disappointment. The chapel will accommodate 1,000 persons, but after more than seven years it hardly commands an average congregation, in all, of 200, and a number of these are from a distance, and properly belonging to other Methodist congregations. We fear, therefore, this is a case to be recorded as so far a failure.

A degree, perhaps, of laudable ambition has led some leading Methodist ministers and laymen of late years to desire to place chapels in neighbourhoods different from those usually occupied. In short, there has been a movement to plant chapels in more _respectable_ localities, such as that of Warwick-gardens. But if the experiment is to be judged by its results in this instance, it would appear a lamentable mistake; and it may after all be worth considering whether John Wesley's own rule will not yet serve Methodism for all time-"To preach the Gospel to the poor, and to go not only to those who need us, but to those who need us most." There are Sunday-schools, where about 100 children of both s.e.xes attend; and four or five small cla.s.ses, which include all the society at present attached to the chapel. It is united in what is called the Bayswater Circuit, the headquarters of which are in the Denbigh-road, Bayswater, and which has three ministers appointed to it by the Conference. These are a.s.sisted in the occupation of the pulpits by ministers belonging to Connexional departments in London, or students from the college at Richmond. The chapel, therefore, has the best ministerial provision that the system of Methodism can supply, but there appears to be no public effect. On Sunday evening, 21st of May, the pulpit was occupied by the Rev. W. B. Boyce, one of the secretaries at the Mission-house in Bishopsgate-street. He holds a high position in the body, and on many accounts is deservedly respected. He has seen much service in the Mission-field; and to this it may be in part attributable that he retains in speech the broad provincialisms of his early life. He also holds fast to the old Methodist style of putting the doctrine of "Conversion," which was the subject of his discourse. According to his teaching on this occasion, a man may be everything Christian to the outward eye-and even be a martyr for the truth-and yet be unconverted, unsaved, and perish eternally. If such a case be _possible_, we must remark it is so rare in experience that it may well cause a minister to pause before he gives it prominent and unqualified application in a sermon. There are certain to be a number of weak consciences and doubting minds in every congregation, who must be very much troubled and perplexed with such teaching, whereas there may not be a single individual to whom it really applies. It is a mode of preaching, in our idea, not based upon sufficiently large views of human experiences and circ.u.mstances; yet Mr. Boyce exhibits great sincerity and earnestness.

THE SCOTCH CHURCH, KENSINGTON.

THE Scotch Presbyterian Chapel stands at the corner of the Foxley-road and Allen-street, and is a fair specimen of geometric gothic. Of course it requires the tower to be finished to make it the good architectural object that it should be in the long perspective of Allen-street; yet it is even now fairly prominent, and is substantially built of Kentish rag with Bath stone dressings, and roofed with slate. The princ.i.p.al entrance is on the north side, over which is a large and rather noticeable window, and the rose window in the west gable, too, seems to invite the visitor to an inspection of the interior. Pa.s.sing through a very plain corridor or vestibule, the body of the chapel is immediately entered to the right and left hand. A feeling of disappointment it is impossible to repress ensues. The interior in no way accords with the idea conveyed by the outside inspection. It is roofed in one span, and heavily ceiled and panelled, producing a sense of depression. The walls are simply bare plaster, the pulpit very large and heavy, the pewing poor and plain. A northern gallery, evidently intended for an organ, is organless, and not much improved by large curtains. The Presbyterian movement in Kensington began in 1861, under the present pastor, the Rev. Gavin Carlyle, in a hall in Holland-street. After about a year's labour in this place some forty or fifty members had collected, and it was then resolved to build a church. A site was first sought in Campden-hill, but was not to be found there. Ultimately the present site was scoured, the building commenced in July 1862, finished in May 1863, and opened on the 24th of that month, and the Rev. Mr. Carlyle, was formally ordained to the charge on June 2nd following. Since then the progress has been steady; and the members.h.i.+p has increased to between one and two hundred. The church is connected with the English Presbyterian Church, and the late Dr. Hamilton, of the latter, took great interest in it, and did much to originate it. It will contain 500 persons, and cost to build 5,280_l._; by the addition of galleries, it would be capable of accommodating 700 or 800. There is no endowment, and the minister is dependent upon pew-rents and voluntary offerings. A Dorcas Society is kept up by a few ladies; and collections are made annually for foreign missions and other objects. The Duke of Argyll is a seatholder and frequent communicant; and other persons of general and literary distinction. At a meeting a few weeks since, at which the Duke of Argyll presided, several Indian and other notabilities were present, including Dr. Macleod, Sir Bartle Frere, Sir Wm. Hill, &c., who had a.s.sembled to hear a lecture on India, by Dr. Wilson, of Bombay.

The Rev. Gavin Carlyle is an M.A. of the Edinburgh University, and studied theology in the Free Church College, Edinburgh, followed by a year's study in Germany. He is a nephew of the famous Edward Irving; and editor of his uncle's "Collected Writings," published by Strahan and Co.

He is also editor of the _Weekly Review_, the weekly organ of Presbyterianism in England; also of _Christian Work_, a monthly journal of religious and missionary intelligence. Mr. Carlyle's congregation is at present a small one compared with many; but on the occasion of our visit his sermon was certainly such as to justify a larger attendance.

It was the first of a series of discourses on the Ten Commandments, and founded on the first "I am the Lord thy G.o.d," &c. The distinct existence and all-pervading presence and control of the Almighty was the subject.

It was well and clearly treated, in a manner to meet the princ.i.p.al intellectual quibbles or difficulties of the times; and the preacher proved to the satisfaction of every thoughtful mind-to use his own words-that "all reason speaks to us of G.o.d; and that it is nothing but unreason and mystical cloudiness that attributes the effects of Nature to any other cause or operation," and that science when rightly conceived is "the handmaid of religion."

THE EPISCOPAL CHAPEL, BROMPTON.

THE Brompton Episcopal Chapel, situate close to the Brompton-road, in Montpelier-street, is a structure strictly Georgian in its character, Georgian indeed to the back-bone, if one may be allowed to use such an expression ecclesiastically. It has no beauties to make it worthy a visit in the search after the picturesque. It is simply ugly outside, and very little more may be said of it inside. It rather reminded us of old Kensington Church, without its historical interest. Like all buildings of the kind, it has its painted columns supporting a flat ceiling, and high-back gallery. It has its high pulpit and prayer-desk, each duly draped in hot velvet, its high-backed pews comfortably shut up and cus.h.i.+oned, in fact, everything belonging to it is high, only that it would be too much to call it High Church.

This chapel attained its centenary in 1869, being opened on Easter Sunday, 1769, as a chapel of ease to the parish church of Kensington.

The Rev. Richard Harrison was the first minister, who was a preacher of some note, and continued his labours to the end of life, which occurred in 1793. A tablet to his memory may now be seen on the south side of the Communion-table. Since then the course of the ministry has been somewhat chequered, and not always connected with the happiest reminiscences.

Although so ancient a chapel, it appears to have been generally poor, and the only relic it contains of bygone days is a set of old _pewter_ collecting-plates, having the original engraving, "The Parish of Kensington." The building is now seen in every respect as it was at the beginning. It has successfully resisted all modern innovations; no alterations of any kind have taken place, excepting that a coating of stucco has been bestowed upon the front. The same is true of the character of the public service. It has rigidly preserved its own unadorned plainness, against all the ecclesiastical refinements of later years. The clergy are ordained ministers in the Church of England, and licensed by the Bishop of London, and the present are the Rev. W.

Dunford, who is also the private owner of the property, and the Rev. W.

Crofts Bullen, a.s.sistant minister. The latter was doing duty at the time of our visit, with rather a thin congregation, but showed considerable earnestness, read distinctly and audibly, and preached in his black gown an extempore discourse on Rev. iv. 3. The sublime pa.s.sage was expounded by references to other parts of Scripture, connected with some plain, out-spoken utterances applied to the audience in a fearless and faithful manner. Regarding the text as symbolical of the Holy Trinity-it being Trinity Sunday-the preacher knew nothing about "the liberality of faith in the nineteenth century." There was "a severe and hard line to be drawn between the believer and unbeliever, the saved and the unsaved."

The Episcopal Chapel will hold about 800 persons, and the congregation averages from 400 to 500. Having no endowment, the clergy rely only on seat-rents and quarterly collections for church expenses, which are made by pa.s.sing the pewter-plates round to the a.s.sembly in the pews. There is a good Sunday-school carried on in the chapel, morning and afternoon, with about 130 scholars, a number which it is said might be greatly added to but that the Churchwardens will not allow more s.p.a.ce. This unfavourable condition, however, the zealous superintendent, Mr. Warder and teachers, a.s.sisted by the children, are seeking to remedy, having opened among themselves a weekly subscription towards a separate and commodious schoolroom. The weekly pence already contributed amounts to 50_l._ This is a most worthy example; and it may be hoped that some large-hearted persons outside the school, may some day or other feel inclined to encourage by large gifts so laudable an attempt at self-help.

The school is also provided with a library by subscriptions of the teachers and churchwardens, from which books are lent free of charge.

The Sunday-school is an interesting feature at this chapel, and is said in the neighbourhood to be highly prized by the children themselves, who are reported to be most regular in attendance. The services are-Sunday, morning at 11, evening at 6.30; Wednesday at 7 P.M.; the Lord's Supper on the last Sunday in the month. The hymn-book used is a selection of psalms and hymns arranged by the Rev. Charles Kemble, M.A.-the 1853 edition.

ONSLOW CHAPEL.

ONSLOW CHAPEL, situate in Neville terrace, Brompton, has many pretensions to Gothic architectural effect. It is slightly decorated in design, and somewhat early. Long before the two churches were thought of, between which it now stands, St. Pauls and St. Peters, its two little spires could be seen like landmarks in the surrounding plain. It is one of those early attempts of the Nonconformists to establish a better style of architecture in their buildings for public wors.h.i.+p. The west front is, however, all of which it can boast, the inside being of true chapel type, consisting, one may almost say, of a large hall, ribbed and vaulted in plaster. The western gallery adds to the accommodation for sittings, and the body of the chapel is well filled with simple pewing. The pulpit is tall, and backed up by the organ. In the usual way the Vestry is at the east end. The foundation-stone was laid by that great and good man, the Hon. Arthur Kinnaird, in 1856.

[Picture: Onslow Chapel, Brompton, 1856]

This chapel was built fifteen years ago, for the church then meeting in Alfred-place, under the pastorate of the Rev. G. Bigwood. It seats 650 persons, and cost 6,000_l._ But this outlay included, besides the chapel-proper, convenient cla.s.s-rooms, and a s.p.a.cious schoolroom which runs back on a line with the chapel into Neville-street, and is now mentioned as Onslow Hall, a suitable place for meetings and lectures.

The Rev. G. Bigwood's ministry lasted about eighteen years, and he was succeeded in 1870 by the Rev. Joseph Upton Davis, B.A., the present pastor. The minister is a Baptist, but the members.h.i.+p is open to Christians of other Evangelical communions. As a preacher, Mr. Davis has considerable gifts. To a pleasing manner and voice there is a goodly share of refinement, general evidence of culture, and preaching ardour, which are essential to the modern pulpit. "He that hath an ear let him hear what the spirit saith unto the churches" was solemnly enforced, and the dwellers in Laodicean ease-the "neither cold nor hot"-were keenly rebuked, although affectionately dealt with. The congregation was not a full one; but it was pleasing to note that with very few exceptions all remained to the Communion service, which immediately followed the first service. The hymn after the sermon was followed only by the benediction, briefly rendered, which, as a rule, is somewhat unlike Nonconforming services, in which the preacher generally offers a short prayer, having some reference in spirit to the matter of the discourse. A Sunday-school is conducted in the schoolroom, where, under management, 400 scholars a.s.semble morning and afternoon, superintended by Mr. Mayers. The general services are-Sunday morning at 11, evening at 6.30, Thursday evenings at 7, and communion the first Sunday in the month.

ST. BARNABAS, KENSINGTON.

THE Church of St. Barnabas is situated in the Addison-road, and can be seen with pleasing effect from the main road. In the distance the brickwork has a nice grey tone about it, and harmonises well with the stone dressings and tracery and the contrast of the mounting ivy round the pinnacled b.u.t.tresses gives a picturesque appearance which is much a.s.sisted by pretty surrounding foliage. A nearer view, however, is somewhat disappointing as to architectural detail, in which it resembles the chapel of King's College, Cambridge, which is generally considered the best example of perpendicular Gothic. The west elevation is worthy of description. The gable and pierced parapet partially conceal a low-pitched roof, which is flanked by open bell turrets. The centre of the gable is occupied by a large perpendicular window above the western entrance to the church. This consists of a centre and two side doors opening into a corridor or vestibule, giving access to the body of the building and to the galleries right and left. Flights of steps lead up to the several entrances, which are enclosed by rather lofty railings and gates. The interior, roofed in one span with sub-arcades or columns, is finished with a flat ceiling, relieved and pannelled by horizontal bands and kerbed ribs. Large galleries surround three sides of the church, and at the west end a double tier. At first sight these galleries look almost unsupported, the iron columns are so slender as well-nigh to escape observation. The body or ground floor is fitted with simple square pewing, divided by a centre and two side pa.s.sages. Close to the western doors stands a bold font, a fair specimen of perpendicular work.

The pulpit is tall and plain. The prayer-desk, lower and more ornate, is placed on the north side of a very simple chancel arch, before which the very handsome bronze eagle lectern stands slightly elevated. The chancel is a simple recess, and its entrance is occupied by stall benches. The front of the altar is pierced with tracery, which has a good effect. The east window is filled with stained gla.s.s of Georgian school design, strongly reminding us of the Church of St. Dunstan, Fleet-street, where there is a similar window.