The Sun.
London, England, 1869-11-25 00:00:00

THE TWELVE DA LONDON MISSION.

AN EXTRAORDINARY SCENE AT ST. ALBANS.
On Wednesday evening the extraordinary mission which
has excited such a deep interest throughout London and
its suburbs, was virtually brought to a close. The last
formal service took place on Wednesday night, and a very
extraordinary one it was, probably the most extraordinary
which had been witnessed in the English Church since the
time of the Reformation. It was what was termed a "Re-
newal of Baptismal Vows," and although it was carried
out with great earnestness in many places, there
were few in which there were such elaborations of detail as
at St. Alban's, Holborn, At 8 o'clock the church was densely
crowded, the whole of the centre part of the church being
railed off for the penitents, ono side for the men and the
other for the women, the seats against the wall on either
side being reserved for those who came to witness the
ceremony, without intending to take any distinctive part
in it. After the " Miserere," and one or two other psalms
and prayers, the Rev. S. W. O'Neill, M.A., of Emmanuel
College, Cambridge, one of the Society of St. John the
Evangelist, Cowley, entered the pulpit (having pre-
viously heard the confessions of several young men and
women in a little box in the corner of the church),
and commenced by stating that the offertory that night
would be devoted to defraying the expenses of the mis-
sion, and as they had been very considerable, he hoped all
present would give liberally, for it would be a shame to
throw the burden upon the clergy of the church, who had
provided the services for the sake of the people. He then
selected for his text the 21st chapter of the Book of Reve-
lation, 4th verse—" And God shall wipe away all
tears from their eyes, and there shall be no more
death, neither sorrow nor crying, neither shall
there be any more pain." On this he preached
an eloquent and impassioned sermon on the joys of
Heaven. Another hymn having been sung, Mr. O'Neill
said he would now briefly explain the nature of the
service in which they were about to engage. First—the
candles which would be used would be blessed, in the
same way that vestments and all vessels and other
articles of church furniture were blessed before they were
used. A candle would be given to each one who was
about to renew his vows. This candle he would have
lighted, and what was not consumed of it might be taken
home, so that any person might have the remainder of it
burnt at the time of his death. This candle would be a

happy reminiscence of the day, and would guide them
through the valley of death, which was a dark journey.
The questions which would be put were taken from the
Offices of Baptism in the Book of Common Prayer, and he
trusted that all would gave their answers in a bold and manly
way, not as though they were ashamed of them. Let them
speak ou!-, so that the Church might be glorified, and that
the devils might tremble. The candles were then blessed
at the altar, but how this ceremony was performed was
not seen by any who were not within the chancel. In a
minute or two afterwards the candles were lighted (they
were thin wax ones of about a foot long), and each of the
penitents, to the number of nearly 500 men and women,
held one of them while a penitential hymn was sung.
The scene in the church was very striking ; the
body of the church was a perfect blaze of light,
while the chancel was nearly dark. Mr. O'Neill,
addressing the penitents who stood in this position, said—
This is indeed a happy time ; you are in the presence of
God, and stand like virgins with their lamps trimmed.
He then said very slowly and solemnly, "Do you here in
the presence of God and of this congregation renew the
solemn promise and vow that was made in your name
at your baptism ; ratifying and confirming the same in
your own persons, and acknowledging yourselves bound to
believe and to do all these things which your godfathers
and godmothers then undertook for you ?" To this there
was a loud and startling response of " I do," and the other
questions which followed were answered in an equally
determined manner. After this part of the ceremony, Mr.
O'Neill went to the altar, and was vested in a splendidly
embroidered cope. He was joined by the Rev. Messrs.
Mackonochie, Walker, Howse, and Wellington. Several
members of the Society of St. John the Evangelist, and a
large number of choristers, and a procession, accompanied
by banners, moved round the church—the 500 men and
boys, women and girls, following in their train, each carry-
ing a lighted candle, and singing the appointed hymns.
Amongst them were professional men, tradesmen,
clerks, working men, and little ragged fellows who had
done their best to put on a respectable appearance, women
of good position wearing diamond rings, tradesmen's wives
and daughters, sempstresses, sisters of mercy, charwomen,
and other classes from the squalid district in which St.
Albans is situate. When the clerical part of the procession
had reached the chancel, and the penitents had regained
their places, the blessing was pronounced, and the candles
having as if by one single breath been blown out, the con-
gregation dispersed.

The report that Lord Chelmsford (the Lord Chan-
cellor in the Derby Government)is ill, is quite groundless.
TILE TELEGRAPHS AND THE GOVERNMENT.—
The telegraph wires have been laid on to the Falmouth
Post Office, and .the business will be conducted
there instead of at the present telegraph office
at the quay, which will be closed. It is believed
that this is the first post office in the West of England
where arrangements made by the Government for con-
ducting the telegraphs at the post office have come into
operation.

We are able to state on authority that the remains
of Mr. George Peabody will be removed from Westminster
Abbey on the 3d or 4th of December. When it was
announced that the Monarch would not sail until
the arrival of the American convcy, it was sup-
posed that the coffin of the deceased philanthropist
would be removed from London on Friday, the day origi-
nally named, and remain on board the Monarch. Now,
however, it is decided that the removal of the remains shall
not be made till the day before the ships can leave the
English shore.

STORY OF THE PRINCE OF WALES AND HIS
CIGARS.—The Prince of Wales, unless popular rumour is
for once cruelly unjust, loves a good cigar much better
than a long speech. Not so long back he set conventional
forms at defiance by requesting a premier or an archbishop
—we really forget which—at some city banquet, to "cut
it short ;" and in this particular, at least, it must be
admitted that the Prince practises what he preaches. The
recent death of Lord Foley has revived a story which
doubtless did good duty in its day at the clubs. His lord-
ship was universally admired for his refinement and good
taste, and on one occasion, when entertaining the Prince at
dinner, his Royal Highness expressed a desire to indulge
in his favourite weed. " But Lord Foley was not willing
that even Royal smoke should desecrate his home, and
headed a procession to the stables, where, in a more con-
genial atmosphere, the Royal cigar was disposed ef."

MONSEIGNEUR DUTANLOUP.—It is not too much
to say that one of the most important men in France at
this hour is Monseigneur Doupanloup, Bishop of Orleans.
But who is he? Tho question has been often
asked, but seldom satisfactorily answered. On the
one hand he is said by some to be the son of Charles X.;
and those who judge from personal appearance alone
might have some show of reason on their side, inasmuch
as the Bishop bears a remarkable resemblance to the last
Bourbon king. Others connect him with Talleyrand. All
that is known of Monseigneur Dupanloup's past life is that

in consequence of certain informalities about his birth

there were some difficulties in Rome about his ordination.
Shortly after taking orders he became cure of the parish of
St. Roch, at Paris, and was always employed by the Court
in baptising, preparing for confirmation, &c., the various
members of the Royal Family. He was subsequently
transferred to Tours, where he remained as grand-vicaire
until his promotion to the see of Orleans in 1857.—Pa1l
Mall Gazette.

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HER MAJESTY.

WINDSOR CASTLE, Nov. 24.

Her Majesty, accompanied by her Royal High-
ness Princess Beatrice, walked and drove in the
Home Park this morning.
Princess Louise also went out.

The Princess of Wales drove out yesterday, at-
,ended by the Hon. Mrs. Coke.

LATEST fl TELL IGENCB

(REUTEn's TELEGRAMS.)

-

AMERICA.
(Per French Atlantic Cable.)
NEW YORK, Nov. 24.

The insurgents in Winnipeg territory have seized
some stores belonging to the Hudson Bay Com-
pany. A number of Irishmen are reported to have
joined them.

.
Proceedings against the Spanish gunboats are
stayed for the present.

It is stated that a public receiver has been DT'
pointed for the Erie Rai!road.
. _

The Cunard steamship Java arrived out yester-

day at 9 p.m.
The Hamburg and American steamship Silesia
also arrived here at 8 p.m. yesterday.

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

CLOSING PRICES.

Gold closed at 125; ; the highest quotation dig'

ing the day was 1261; the lowest, 1254.
Sterling Exchange on London lOBl.
5-20 U. S. Bonds, 1882 ll5l.
t 4 " 1885 ll3l.
64 " 1867 ll5l.
10-40 66
Illinois l3B.

Erie , 29k.

Cotton—Mid. upland 2s°.

Petroleum—Standard White 33ic.
Flour, extra state, $5.10c. to $5.70c. Corn, old
mixed, sl.loc.

QUEENSTOWN, Nov. 25.
The Guion steamship Nevada, from Liverpool,
arrived here to-day at 8 a.m. She embarked pas"
sengers, and proceeded immediately for New
York.