"THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD."

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 267, 4 August 1908, Page 8

"THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD."

FAMOUS UNVEILED IN ST. /PAUL'S. Holman Hunt's picture, "The Ligut.ottne; World,',' which has been presented, ta'the Doan and Chapter of St. Paul's by Mr. . Charles :Booth, was formerly unveiled and dedicated in the cathedral on June 6. jit is the last-replica of the picture which the artist painted, and, as Canon Scott Holland pointed out,;, he, sought to emphasise'in'his 1 work the human, rather than tho ecclesiastical,.element. , ■'■A new order of-servico was.designed for the dedication ceremony. After' Evensong the choir proceeded'from the chancel to the south-side of the nave, upon the wall of which the painting'had been hung, and here they the section' of the 119 th Psalm opening with-the: Words: "Thy word is a , lamp unto my feet ;' and a light unto my path.''-- •• ' , ' . . The Bishop: of Stepney, as Canon-in-resi-dehce, accepted .the r picture on behalf of the Doan and Chapter and Treasurer of St. Paul's. He said that tho .artist was one of great name, whoso "work was known to all and'would for ever recall one of the most remarkablo periods, in the history of British art.' Perhaps no picture had more deeply touched the imagination and soul of oiir contemporaries,, and they .felt that the mossago it had to give would still speak through that placo to multitudes' who would enter from the throng of the great City and all parts of, the.world. It- conveyed a message which all .could understand; it was an; allegory, which required no commentary to bring it home to tho thoughts and consciences of men! Every man knew what it was to havo this knocking- at tho soul and inmost, spirit, and it was-well-for; him, if he heard it,'to open the door and find that there was conio to him the Light of Life. The inscription beneath the picture is "Behold, ! stand at the door, and knock; if any man hear-My voico and open the door, I will como in to him and will sup with him and he with Me."