Arranged by the Brotherhood Movement from Whftefield's Church and Central Mission, Tottenham Court Road
The Service will be conducted by The National President, EDWARD SMALLWOOD , J.P., assisted by the National Sisterhood President, Cr. Mrs, C. BrcHANAK ALDERTON , J.P., and others
THE Tabernacle, Cardiff, is the oldest Welsh Baptist Church in the city. Its ' meeting-house' is a spacious and imposing building, with lofty roof and deep galleries, well adapted for accommodating a huge congregation for Nonconformist worship, in which, of course, preaching has so prominent a place, and the spoken word should be easily and distinctly heard. Its acoustics are practically perfect, and it has one of the finest organs in Wales, in charge of a gifted organist (Mr. E. J. Richards ), who knows well how to induce worship and create ' atmosphere.' Indeed, the building itself is strangely atmospheric, partly owing to its structure, but chiefly owing to its history and the traditions that cluster around it. One does not wonder that it is constantly in demand for central meetings of a religious character.
In its traditions one might name three elements:-
(a) A remarkable succession of ministers, from the world-famous Christmas Evans to the saintly Charles Davies, men famed throughout Wales for the eloquence of their preaching, and revered for their nobility of character.
(b) Again, there are the wonderful memories of the Revival of 1904, with which the name of Evan Roberts will always be associated. Night after night, for the best part of a year, the great building was crowded out, and indescribable scenes witnessed. Indeed, Pentecost was reproduced : men and women from all parts (brown, black, and yellow), being irresistibly moved to proclaim each in his own tongue the wonderful doings of God, and the deeper meaning of each message being understood by all.
(c) And then, as a third element, and complementary to the other two, there is the tradition of social service. The Church has consistently produced men and women who were leaders in public life, such as Lord Mayors of the City, City Councillors, and Magistrates. Two of the first women J.P.'s in Cardiff were connected with the Tabernacle, and in the late Lord Pontypridd, a lifelong and zealous member of the Church, the Baptists had, I believe, their only representative in the House of Lords.
The Church worship is conducted in the Welsh language, and the congregation is now gathered from the suburbs and outlying districts. But the services are well attended and there is a growing membership. Fortunately, the situation of the Tabernacle is ideal-at the very heart of the city, and within a stone's-throw of the tramway and 'bus centres; and where folk are seeking a Welsh service it matters little that a dozen English churches have to be passed on the way.
It is a great joy to us to be able, through the wireless, to share our worship with thousands of Welshmen far from their native land; and the multitude of letters received after each broadcast shows how deeply the services are appreciated.
The Singing will be led by the WHITEFIELD'S MEN'S OWN CHOIR Introit - Sentences of Prayer
Hymn, Men of the Future - ' These things shall be ' (Songs of Praise, No. 181)
These things shall be: a loftier race
Than e'er the world hath known shall rise,
With flame of freedom in their souls
And light of knowledge in their eyes.
They shall be gentle, brave and strong,
To spill no drop of blood, but dare
All that may plant man's lordship firm
On earth and fire, and sea, and air.
Nation with nation, land with land.
Unarmed shall live as comrades free;
In every heart and brain shall throb
The pulse of one fraternity.
Man shall love man with heart as pure
And fervent as the young-eyed throng
Who chant their heavenly psalms before
God's face with un discordant song.
New arts hall bloom of loftier mould,
And mightier music thrill the skies,
And every life shall be a song.
When all the earth is paradise.
There shall be no more sin, nor shajne
Though pain and passion may not die;
For man shall be at one with God
In bonds of firm necessity.
J. A. Symonds.
Scripture Reading- Cr.
Mrs. C. B. ALDERTON , J.P.
Praver-The Rev. A. D. BELDEN ,
B.D. Hymn , ' God send us Men '
God send us men whose aim 'twill be
Not to defend some worn-out creed,
But to live out the laws of Christ
In every thought and word and deed.
God send us men alert and Quick
His lofty precepts to translate,
Until the laws of Christ become
The laws and habits of the State.
God send us men! God send us men!
Patient, courageous, strong and true,
With vision clear and mind equipped
His will to learn, His work to do.
God send us men with hearts ablaze
All truth to love, all. wrong to hate,
These are the patriots Britain needs
These arc the bulwarks of the State.
F. J. Gillman.
Address by Mr. EDWARD SMALLWOOD, J.P.
Hymn, World-wide Worship - 'The Day Thou Gavest' (Ancient and Modern, No. 477)
Benediction
Vesper
THE National Brotherhood Movement aims at reviving the interest in religion of those who, for whatever reasons, have dropped out of church-going and are cither indifferent or hostile to religion. Its meetings for men are made as homely, as pleasant, and as sociable as possible, but the religious inspiration is the main motive. The Movement is interdenominational, and stands for practical religion, the religion of goodwill, character-making, and mutual help. At the Annual Conference a National President is elected. The President of the year is Mr. E. Smallwood, J.P., of London, who will be succeeded by Mr. Charles G. Ammon, M.P. The Movement gathers into its fellowship men of all parties, and does all it can to foster the spirit of conciliation in industrial matters. There is a very important Sister. hood side of the Movement, having equal rights with the men's side.