"SOUL OF A NATION"

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2524, 27 July 1915, Page 6

"SOUL OF A NATION"

BRITAIN'S DAY OF NATIONAL PRAYER GREAT CEREMONIAL IN LONDON Br IWegrapli-Presß Association-Oopyriffht (Rec. July, 26, 9.35 p.m.) London, July 26. Yesterday, the.' day of national prayer, the Bishop of London, in full canonicals, with an.escort of the London Rifle Brigade, of which ho is chaplain, preceded by a cross carried 'by chaplains, headed a march- of 2500 London Territorials from Trafalgar Square to, St. Paul's Cathedral, and conducted an open-air service on the front steps. Despite a heavy downpour crowds, largoly composetl of women, lined the routo. There was an immense crowd outside the Cathedral during the ceremony. The people sang "O God, Our Help in Ages Past," accompanied by the Royal Artillery Band.

The Bishop of London preached on "The Soul of the Nation." France, he said, had lost some territory and Belgium the'wholo of hers, but the soul of the nations was untouched, but rather would rise with renewed strength as the result of the sacrifice.

/'Russia within a week flung aside vodka aiid the nation became unified. Under a leader Russia will never be conquered while the world lasts, not only because of her extent, but also because of her solid people. The leaders in Britain callcd for xmiversal military service. Only now England had come back to her best self, and she can save the world to-day." A special intercession litany for those killed in battle, followed by the liymii, "Lord, in Life to 'Biee we Cry," ended the service.

The "Daily Telegraph" says'that the Bishop's sermon, prompts the question: "What is the soul of Britain ?• Are we emerging from the ordeal as nobly as.France and Russia? We have been spared the unspeakable horrors -that have befallen them." Are we doing all that we ought in order to-mark our gratitude?■ England is slow to move, but the movement is' palpable. .We do. not fear for .tho future." DECLARATION DAY. GREAT DEMONSTRATIONS IN GREAT BRITAIN. ' London, July 25. . The National Patriotic Organisation has arranged meetings at the chief centres for August 4,. at which the citizens will-'be asked to record their unalterable determination to continue to a victorious, end, to maintain the ideals of liberty and justice which the Allies hold in a common and sacred cause.