Seventeen Years in Paris: A Chaplain's Story

by H. E. Noyes

The “Figaro” thus describes the service:—

“Les Parisiens sceptiques et volontiers gouailleurs, ont été fortement impressionnés par la très simple cérémonie d’hier matin, la plus grande peut-être de ces trois jours de fête. De la rue Royale à l’avenue de Marigny dix mille curieux descendent tout endimanchés des faubourgs, se massent aux abords de l’Ambassade d’Angleterre, pour voir comment le roi de la Grande-Bretagne et d’Irlande et des possessions britanniques d’outre-mer, défenseur de la foi, empereur des Indes va faire-visite à Dieu. C’est à pied que S. M. Edouard VII., en tenue de ville, se rend à l’Eglise. Et quand il le voit passer ainsi, tout ce peuple saisi d’émotion, chapeau bas, s’incline, dans un silence solennel. La petite Eglise gothique de la rue d’Aguesseau regorge de monde. On a lancé neuf cent trente invitations. La nef, les galeries, les bas-cotés, les tribunes, tout est bondé.

“Les deux premières travées de banquettes sont réservées; et devant elles, à gauche du chœur un fauteuil recouvert de velours rouge, avec un prie-dieu sans appui, et un pupitre sur lequel sont deposés une Bible, et un livre de psaumes, marque la place du Roi.… Le Pasteur et ses assistants ont la soutane et le surplis garni de bandes de satin noir et rouge. Les enfants de chœur assis près de la chaire, ont seulement la soutane noir et le surplis. Sur un signe du secrétaire qui guettait à la porte l’arrivée du Roi, tout le clergé, le Rev. Dr. Noyes en tête, se porte au-devant de sa Majesté et l’attend sur le seuil. Edouard VII. et le Pasteur se saluent en même temps. Le Clergé remonte vers le chœur, précédent le Souverain, que suivent les membres de l’Ambassade d’Angleterre et tous les attachés militaires. Et des que S. M. Edouard VII. a pris place devant son fauteuil—et ouvert son livre de psaumes, l’office divin commence. Les fidéles, dont un instant très court de curiosité n’a pu troubler le recueillement, entument en anglais le Te Deum. Puis les hymnes, les versets de la Bible, les psaumes se succèdent chantés par toute l’assistance. Les fidèles s’agenouillent, et le Roi s’agenouille comme eux; et sa voix se mêle avec leurs voix. Il n’y a plus un souverain et des sujets, ‘Il n’y a qu’une famille dont tous les membres s’addressent, ensemble au Père, ‘Notre Père qui êtes aux cieux.’ C’est la prière que nous ne savons plus. Enfin les chants ayant cessé le Rev. Dr. Noyes se lêve et prononce le sermon dominical. Pendant un quart d’heure environ, il développe la thèse de la Divinite du Christ, et l’office termine, selon l’usage, par un dernier cantique, sans qu’aucune allusion, ainsi qu’il en avait exprimé lùi-même le désir, aie été faite à la presence du Roi.”

I have given the above in full as it is an interesting French view of an English church service.

“The Daily Telegraph” recorded this event of the day as follows:

“At the morning service in the English Church, Rue d’Aguesseau, the King was attended by his suite, and accompanied by Sir E. Monson and the staff of the Embassy. This sacred edifice is a building of great interest to English residents in Paris. The Rev. H. E. Noyes, D.D., has been Chaplain to the Embassy since 1891, and during that incumbency has known three eminent representatives of the Empire, Lord Lytton, the Marquis of Dufferin, and Sir Edmund Monson. Our compatriots in the French capital do not forget their Church. It is surely a matter of pleasure to know that at the last Easter celebrations there were no fewer than 930 communicants. To-day the Church was all too small. Though admission was necessarily by ticket, a crowd besieged the doors more than an hour before the beginning of the service. Notre Dame or the Madeleine would have been insufficient for the congregation anxious to be present. Indeed, one feels regret for the hundreds who failed to obtain a coveted ticket of admission. Practically small room was left after seats had been found for the regular congregation, among whom I was pleased to note a large number of English young ladies attending Parisian schools. Many a year hence it will be a pleasant memory for those young persons who participated in this historic service. ‘What a noble national possession is England’s “sublime liturgy,”’ to quote George Borrow’s description of it.

“Who has not felt its impress in a foreign land? I have heard it west of the Rocky Mountains, under the Stars and Stripes, beneath the Southern Cross, in the capital of China, on the Indian, the Atlantic, and the Pacific Oceans, and in war time in South Africa, and the effect is everywhere the same—a finer patriotic glow than almost anything else can call up. It appeals to one as part of the heritage of the English people, like their old Parish Church, or their very language itself. In the Rue d’Aguesseau the prayers for the King and the Royal Family of Great Britain were followed, as they always are here, by petitions for the Presidents of the United States and of the French Republic. The ‘Te Deum’ was finely rendered, as were the hymns ‘Children of the Heavenly King’ and ‘The King of Love my shepherd is.’ Dr. Noyes founded a short, eloquent discourse upon Matthew xiii. 54, 55.”

As the King left the Church the congregation sang the National Anthem with a fervour and emotion, which was natural upon such an occasion.

After lunching at the Foreign Office with that eminent statesman, M. Delcasse, His Majesty returned to the Embassy. Here a most interesting ceremony was held. The King had promised to plant a red chestnut tree in the Embassy garden, and the children of the British schools, to the number of fifty, and the inmates of the Victoria Home (an institution for aged British women who have lived in France for thirty years) were invited to be present. It was a memorable occasion. The King handled the spade as one accustomed to it, and the tree thus planted has flourished remarkably well ever since. It bears a plate stating the date, etc., and will, no doubt, be an object of interest in the beautiful garden of the Embassy for many years to come. The King has a wonderful memory for old friends. I heard him on this occasion asking kindly after the Hon. Alan Herbert, M.D., whom he had known in Paris many years ago. Another interesting incident took place on this afternoon. Among those invited to the Embassy garden was an old soldier, George Colman, nearly ninety years of age, who had been dispatch writer to Lord Raglan in the Crimean War. He was presented to the King, who had a long chat with him, and asked him “Where are your medals?” Colman replied, “Your Majesty, they were stolen from me at the time of the Paris Commune.” “Well,” said the King, “we must see to that.” Colman was not forgotten, and not long after the medals were received at the Embassy. He brought them to shew to me in great delight.

In the evening a large official dinner was given at the British Embassy, which was attended by the President and Madame Loubet, members of the French Government, and many other distinguished guests. Three French artists had the honour of being invited, MM. Carolus-Duran, Detaille, and Bonnat. The City was brilliantly illuminated, and presented all the characteristics of a National fête.