The Washington herald., 1913-09-14
THE CITY OF LONDON
ANDITS CHURCHES
DiSendowing the Welsh Church-Si SideLghts on
the Bishop of London-Automoble Makes
Empty PENS in Summer

4 perhaps that Is the reason why tbs
| figure of Stephen Langton, the Arch
bishop OF Canterbury, forcing the Kins
| to respect the liberties of the Engllsl
| people and the English Church, stand,
out even with moro than usual promi'
nence. But looking at IT, one cannot but
feel thankful for the fact that the tru,
guardians OF liberty in those far-off dayt
were the bishops Of the church.
Some two or three years ago, in Wash
| ington. we had the privilege Of seeing
and hearing the Bishop OF London. He
is here in London the most influential
bishop they have had for many years
past Perhaps there has been no one of
the long line of Bishops OF London who
has more appealed to the popular imagi-
nation than does Arthur Wilmington In
gram He is unlike all his predecessors
in being SO democratic in his manners.
He has the ear of the masses. They are
devoted to him. And so, indeed, are the
classes. They all know they have a rare
man as the occupant OF London House.
When Bishop Harding, Bishop of Wash
ington, returned a year or so ago from
the conservation OF the cathedral at
Halifax. Nova Scotia. he had an interest
ing incident to tell in connection with
Bishop Ingram. II appears that he and
the Bishop of London were in a carriage
of the cathedral. when, looking up to the
top OF their carriage. the words Public
Hack" met their eyes. THAT is said
Bishop Ingram exactly what We are
public hacks" and apparently he was
glad TO have il so. If one We're asked
as to the peculiar fascination which the
bishop seems to possess over his fellow
men. it might be summed up in the
words that there is an intensely human
note in all that he does.
We in Washington have our own dim
cUlties growing largely out of the migra-
tory character of many of the congTega-
tons; also, the influence OF the automO-
biles, and the craving which seems to
exist today everywhere for pleasure, ap-
parently at any cost. But our troubles do
not seem to he anything like as great as
they have in some Of the suburban
parishes here-notahly those along tho
banks of the Thames. where beautifully
appointed little steamers and bOats-sail-
ing boats and rowing boats of every
kind-draw their thousands. The churches
are almost emptIed. unless. as here
and there, a very strong man occupies
the pulpit as the phrase runs. And even
in such eases, conditions are not what
they should be by long way. II may
he only a passing phase-probably il is.
ltt just at present it constitutes q very
real ltbbltin LOT lit Sblullhl " AuH
suburban clergy. Il might be we'll for
Us to take notice Of these things. that
We may feel thankful that our own diff
cUities are no bigger.
Perhaps none of the parish churches of
London attract more attention from
Americans than the two churches stand
ing in the Strand. One of these is st.
Marys Strand. the other st. Clement
Danes. They stand like islands OF safety
in the middle Of the street They were
at one time the center of two streets,
but the widening OF the Strand itself has
thrown them into the middle OF the
Strand. With us, the probability is that
they would have been removed but not
so here, where the note in church life
is one of greater permanenCe. Another
thing not found here, but which Is fire.
quentlv to he found in some Of our
American cities-and there is one particu-
larly fragrant case in the city Of Mon
trcal-is a building set apart and dedi-
Gated TO the worship Of God used as a
place OF Northumberland the very win
dows not removed, and all the appear
ance of the church still remaining;
though. as :, matter OF fact. one does find
even in England great many eCClesiasti-
cal buildings which were used in pre-re-
formation times as monasteries or abbeys
now used for some secular purposes
However. in the main there is a care and
reverence for the churches as houses of
prayer which II would be well to copy
elsewhere.