taste designed; and how the choir men and boys, left the western gallery, and appeared in fitting surplices, in their proper place with the priests;-all these successive steps led on to that which we have now to notice, the decoration of the chancel and sacrarium in Polychrome.

This is a bold and most successful attempt to restore mural decoration, and deserves the careful consideration of all who desire to adorn, in fitting manner, the sanctuary of the Most High.

It is not easy to describe a work which is so elaborate in its details, and yet whose chief beauty is in its general effect; and when we speak of such bright colours as vermillion, yellow, blue, green, and white, our readers will hardly anticipate that the general result is solemn and subdued: and yet so it is, owing, doubtless, to the skill and taste of its designer, Mr. Simmonds.

It is the result of much and careful research; for every detail has its authority in ancient examples. And this is another proof, if proof were wanting, how much wiser and safer it is to follow authority in such matters, than to trust to fancy and mere taste, which must herein be crude because uninstructed.

The chancel or sanctuary is painted and decorated throughout. The east wall is arcaded in seven compartments, three of which are pierced with single lights of large dimensions; the centre one of these is now filled with stained glass by O'Connor. It consists of three medallions, intertwined with foliage and passion-flowers, with a diapered back-ground. The subjects of these medallions are the Agony, the Crucifixion, and the Entombment. When the remaining windows are completed, the whole will illustrate the nine invocations in the Litany addressed to our LORD-the Church being Christ Church-in His triple mysteries of Incarnation, Passion, and Exaltation, as Prophet, Priest, and King.

We know of no modern glass which surpasses this window, whether in respect of drawing or colouring. There is a surprisingly brilliant jewel-like effect, which we had long come to consider a peculiarity of ancient art. Nor must we omit to notice the reverential spirit which pervades the whole work, avoiding all affectation of incorrect drawing: in truth it is a very religious work.

It is a jewel well set; for, unlike most modern glass, it does not stand out in unpleasing contrast with white walls—at best a beautiful deformity — but it harmonises with the rest of the work, and thereby acquires new beauty.

The panels in the blank arcades between the windows are painted a bright green, with a white and scarlet flower pattern. The columns which separate the arches from the windows are

deep blue, with a broad gold leaf twining spirally round them; the capitals and bases being green and gold, picked out with red.

The mouldings of the arches are painted in a double-lozenge pattern, with a band of blue and white alternate: the effect of this is very striking and chaste.

The splays of the windows are coloured a delicate buff, with a simple pattern running throughout; the sills contain gold

crosses.

Passing over other details, we may remark, that the string course under the windows produces a rich effect, being red, with gold bands and roses.

The side walls are diapered with alternate patterns of red crosses on a yellow ground, and yellow fleur-de-lis on a red ground, meeting the decorated cornice in a rich border. Below the string course come the rich hangings, which extend all round the chancel walls. They are very striking; the design is simple, and yet right royal; indeed, we understand it is copied from an ancient royal robe. The ground is scarlet with yellow silk fleurde-lis, separated by broad horizontal bands of white silk, dered with lions passant.

pow

The chancel arch is painted in harmony with the rest, and with its columns glittering with gold, and its delicate and yet rich hood-moulding, and gilded corbel-heads, forms a fit entrance to a spot so splendid.

The ceiling is deep blue, with gold stars.

Such are some of the details of this interesting work; but, as we said, these will scarcely give an idea of the general effect, which is at once rich, and solemn, and while striking, perfectly religious.

Thus far the work is most successful: we trust it will soon be completed. Nor have we any doubt of this, seeing how nobly the congregation responded to the call the Vicar made to them in the sermon which we have been permitted to print.

The window now put up is a memorial offering from a brother of a former Curate, Mr. William Jackson. The collection at the offertory more than covered the expenses incurred in the work of decoration.

A FEW PLAIN THOUGHTS FOR ASCENSION DAY. "And it came to pass, while He blessed them, He was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.”—S. Luke xxiv. 51.

THE great work of our redemption was now finished, and CHRIST, having charged His Twelve Apostles to feed His flock, went out,

we read, as far as to Bethany; and it came to pass while He blessed them, He was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. With what awe and wonder must they have looked upon Him ascending up into heaven! He Who had been with them for so long a period; Whose wonders and miracles they had seen! How must they have longed also to ascend with Him, and share His joy! But they were to work below, and follow their Master's footsteps, in trial and persecution, before they could hope to reign with Him above. And we, brethren, how can we best try to follow His steps here, so as to partake of His joy hereafter ? His disciples looked steadfastly after Him as He went up; and so must we. We must have our thoughts and hopes fixed on heaven, remembering that here we have no abiding place. We are, as it were, on a journey, and the different seasons in the Christian year are as resting-places on our way; and the services of the Church, and the sacraments, are helps to us on our weary road. So must we continually keep our hearts and minds fixed on heaven and heavenly things, and at the same time strive earnestly to fulfil all our earthly duties, and constantly bearing in mind, that, unless like our Master, we suffer on earth, we shall never, like Him, rise to the glories of the New Jerusalem. We may also say a few words on the approaching feast of Whitsunday. On that day the HOLY GHOST descended on the twelve at Jerusalem; and we may pray for the same assistance, and though, like them, we may not speak with tongues, and work miracles, yet God's HOLY SPIRIT will help us, if we earnestly pray for it, to fulfil all the duties required of us below. Let us never forget, either, that we are the temples of the HOLY SPIRIT; and let us strive to keep ourselves pure and undefiled, so shall we not be ashamed to confess Him before men; and when He comes again in the glory of His FATHER, He will confess us before the Angels, and we shall inherit the joys of heaven. And we may say in the words of the collect for Ascension Day, "Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that like as we do believe Thy only-begotten Son, our LORD JESUS CHRIST, to have ascended into heaven, so may we also, in heart and mind, continually ascend:" and the collect for Whitsunday," Grant us, by the same Spirit, to have a right judgment in all things, and evermore to rejoice in His holy comfort."

"He that overcometh the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before My FATHER, and before His Angels."

God's ways are not our ways; nay, so far from it, that what seems to be a misfortune, is not unfrequently found to be a real blessing. Could we see events in all their conse

J. A. L. W.

quences, we should no doubt universally perceive the truth of this saying, that all things work together for good to them that love God.DR. HEBERDEN.

A DEDICATION FEAST IN THE COUNTRY.

THE first Tuesday after Easter Tuesday is always a day of great rejoicing to the inhabitants of Harlow, a small town in Essex, about four-and-twenty miles from London, as being the anniversary of the day on which a new Church, dedicated to GoD in honour of S. John the Baptist, had been built to supply the spiritual wants of a portion of this town and its vicinity. We shall endeavour to give a brief description of the way in which the day was kept.

Before the hour of noon, at which time the Holy Communion was to be celebrated (matins had been sung at half-past nine in the morning), a considerable number of the neighbouring Clergy and gentry began to flock into the town, and a morning train brought many a visitor from London.

At twelve a procession was formed at the parsonage, consisting of eighteen priests and deacons, who walked two and two, vested in cassocks, surplices, stoles, and caps. Last of all walked the Epistoler, the Gospeller, and the Celebrant.

On arriving in the Church a most interesting sight presented itself. The sacred building was adorned throughout with evergreens, and the choicest flowers of the season. Round the chancel arch were worked the words appropriate to the paschal solemnity, "The LORD is risen indeed." But the Holy Table itself was the great point of attraction. It was decorated with an antependium and superfrontal of white silk richly embroidered, and the fair white linen cloth for the Sacrament was edged with a border of rich lace. (This cloth only covered the upper part of the altar, hanging over at the north and south ends.) On the superaltar was placed a cross, between two lighted candles, reminding us of the True Light, of Whom S. John the Baptist came to bear witness only. There were also standards as at S. George, Windsor, on the floor of the chancel. The holy vessels were on the credence table, covered with a richly embroidered napkin. But a still more pleasing sight was the congregation, which consisted chiefly of the poor inhabitants of the parish, and completely filled the Church, the men being according to the primitive practice placed on the right, and the women on the left. Upon the entrance of the Clergy, a solemn strain was played on the organ, and all the congregation rose.

There as the Priests in white array,
Took in the choir their place,
With one consent the flock arose
To do God's servants grace.*

* A Lay of Holy Land, from "Songs of Christian Chivalry."