New-York tribune., 1912-04-20
SERVICE AT ST. PAUl'S
Great Cathedral Crowded for
Last Tribute to Titanic's Dead.
IBy Gable to The Tribune. J

London, April 1e.-London was grief
stricken to-day at the heartrending
stories told by the survivors OF the IL
tanic. Every heart was wrung, the very
universally Of the grief lending addi-
tional impressiveness TO the memorial
service In st. Paul's Cathedral, by COM
mon consent the saddest memorial ser
vice ever held.
This occasion was certainly unique.
The requiem was the expression OF the
common sorrow that unites palace and
cottage, magnate and toiler. The Whole
Anglo Saxon race was sobered and sad
dened by the shadow Of swift death in
the black waters Of the North Atlantic;
and, as is fitting, II was a simple SER
vice, instinct with humility and impress
sive beyond the meaning Of words.
The great nave and the transept space
beneath the dome, the choir ana every
corner OF the cathedral were filled with
such congregation as is rarely Drawn
together Indeed, an hour before the
| beginning Of the service the doors were
closed and thousands OF worshippers
were unable to gain admittance.
Only small space in the choir was
reserved. In the other parts rich and
poor mingled together Here and there
were pathetic figures who mourned a
personal loss. and at one place In the
nave a little group Of navy men congre-
gated. In the reserved space were many
distinguished diplomats. among them the
American Ambassador, accompanied ny
Mrs. Reid, and the French, hussIdH'
Turkish and Spanish ambassadors. oyu-
ney Buxton and John Burns were present
and other Cabinet ministers were repre-
sented. Near the officials OF the While
Star Line was A. NJ. Carlisle, who helped
design the Titanic, and little furlher
away were Lady Grosvenor ana }. H.
Stead, brother OF w. It. Stead who lost
his life in the disaster. The Lord Mayor
accompanied by the Lady Mayoress'
drove in state to the service.
The first bars Of the hymn, Rock or
Ages" beautiful in the simplicity OF It's
setting. hushed and low, stole through
the cathedral, and announced the be-
ginning OF the service. In minor key
the choir rendered the Psalms and the
Benedictus, and then came the contrast
II am the resurrection and the life, saith
| the Lord He that believeth In me-
| though he were dead, yet shall he live,
TO Croft's glorious setting. In ringing
tones Dean Inge carried the message
Of immortality in the lesson from Corin-
| thians XIV, 90, and when his voice died
down the climax Of the service was
reached.
The great congregation rose. and amid
| intense silence the drums began to roll
the first bars OF the Dead March in
| saul" family, like the sound OF distant
surf. Louder and louder they became,
rising In crescendo from planlssimo to
| forte. until the brass instruments Of the
wonderful band from Kneller Hall de-
livered the first silvery notes of the
march.
| The congregation was thrilled by the
| heartbreaking sadness Of the music.
! W OII1tu "'Ul dIu iil'n rApph N'''A ''''''
lips compressed and facial muscles
working II was a memorable render
{ Ing. and the magnificent burst OF melody
which marked tho end was sublime.
The drums rolled again the dying roll,
which slowly diminished into the lowest
whisper and then ceased
| The solemn service closed with the
hymn, Eternal Father, Strong to Save"
and the great congregation slowly dis
persed as silently as 1t had assembled
! so silently that the touch Of coin upon
coin as subscriptions to the relief fund
were rendered was tho only sound 10 be
! heard.
The relief fund already amounts to
nearly 10000. The Earl of Derby
who Is Lord Mayor OF Liverpool, in re-
| sponse TO an urgent request from New
York for assistance for the survivors
among the third class passengers, to-day
| ca bled $1,000