A Praise Service
St. Paul’s Cathedral, London, is “the Parish Church of the British Empire.” When the repairs were completed after seventeen years in 1930, a memorable thanksgiving service was held under the renovated dome which was Sir Christopher Wren’s masterpiece. This famous architect was the son of a clergyman and such was his consuming devotion to his work that he could have said with Michael Angelo: “It is enough to have bread and to live in the faith of Christ.”
The Thanksgiving service was attended by one hundred and sixty bishops of the Anglican Church, assembled from all parts of the Empire. It was broadcast to New York, Melbourne, Calcutta, Toronto and other cities. Dean Inge, of St. Paul’s, standing on the chancel steps, exhorted everyone to “give praise to God that he hath called us to take part in the joy and adventure of his glorious Kingdom.” The feelings of the occasion were voiced by seven thousand people through Henry Lyte’s hymn:
“Praise, my soul, the King of Heaven!
To His feet thy tribute bring;
Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
Who, like me, His Praise should sing?
Praise Him! praise Him! praise Him! praise Him!
Praise the Everlasting King!”
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