“Do you who disbelieve want your wives and children to be unbelievers? You don’t; but you leave it to them to worship in our churches. And you yourselves, if not unbelieving, at least half hearted, are holding feebly to the Faith with one hand, and with the other greedily grasping the pleasures of the world. Men of England, whither are you drifting? You cannot serve God and Mammon. Choose!--make your calling and election sure. Believe, as that man of towering intellect to whom this great church is dedicated, believed; as your own great countryman, William Ewart Gladstone, believed; as the great Lord Salisbury believed, and many another brilliant thinker who loved our England and her Church. Believe, as he believed who said, there are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamed of in our philosophy. “Those who walk in pride, He is able to abase. Never suppose that in this little world, this ante-chamber of life, where our own armchairs outlive us, we shall see otherwise than darkly through a glass. Not yet would be revealed the deep and secret things, and what is in the darkness. Patiently must we work out our national and our individual salvation, and with fear and trembling, lest what happened to the idolatrous nations of old should happen to ourselves. Wherein is London greatly better than Nineveh? Our idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands. Fire from heaven fell upon the Cities of the Plain. Is London free from what is earthly, sensual, devilish? Repent! Repent! lest this great Babylon, like that other Babylon, pass into nothingness. “Never forget! The faith and the works of Christianity are indissolubly bound up with the strength and greatness of England. What God hath joined together let no man put asunder.” * * * * * Before the high altar, archbishop, bishops, dean, canons, and choristers, with glittering cross raised high, the organ pealing, raised the great song of praise. The long-drawn aisles and fretted vaults echoed the music of a nation’s worship. The people knelt in humble adoration as they sang: “We acknowledge Thee to be the Lord: All the earth doth worship Thee: The Father Everlasting.” It was a landmark in English history, a national acknowledgment that the Most High ruled in the Kingdom of Men, appointing over it whomsoever He would. * * * * * Twelve hours later the Old Year lay a-dying. Within the cathedral all was dark and silent. The voice of praise was hushed; the worshippers were gone. But the incense of adoration might be rising still, far above the mighty, shadowed dome, far above the night-encircled cross. “Have you read in the Talmud of old, In the Legends the Rabbins have told Of the limitless realms of the air-- Have you read it--the marvellous story Of Sandalphon, the Angel of Glory, Of Sandalphon, the Angel of Prayer?”