and a certain stilted appearance that the structure has, altogether a whole not perfectly pleasing or picturesque.  The view from the north-west is perhaps the most telling in point of effect, but this would be greatly improved by the addition of the tower and spire, which we hope will soon appear, but there is a certain comfortable-looking bell-turret which seems to say, “I answer all purposes required.”

The church is built of Kentish rag and Bath stone dressings, and the roofs are covered with slate in bands of colour.  The gates and approaches when finished will add greatly to the general appearance.

If the outside is peculiar, the inside, perhaps, is more so.  The building, which is slightly cruciform on plan, covers a large area, about 135 feet long by 87 feet wide.  These dimensions are sufficient to give a great idea of space, and this effect is increased from the fact of the floor being nearly free from the usual obstructing columns; for although there is the general arrangement of nave and aisles, yet the slight iron columns, that support the arcades offer but very little impediment either to sight or sound.  The acoustic properties are exceedingly good, and the preacher can be seen and heard to advantage from all points; whilst the large north and south windows admit such volumes of light that there is an entire absence of that “dim religious light” favoured by a section of the English Church.

Architecturally the iron columns are suggestive of having too much to do—looking weak and unequal to the task of supporting the pretty nave roof and coloured-brick arches; this is especially the case with the columns at the transepts.  The iron, as we have said, from its lightness, assists sight and sound, but then beauty is sacrificed to utility, which to some extent we think unfortunate; but the church has evidently been designed to assist the preacher’s voice, and therefore we must congratulate the architect, Mr. J. H. Godwin, of Brompton, on his complete success.  The prevailing buff colour of the bricks, being imitated in the painting of the columns, is not pleasing, and we think may be altered with advantage.  The church will hold 1,700 persons, and the galleries add to the auditorium, but are no assistance to effect, and compel the use of a stilted and old-fashioned pulpit.

The organ-chamber and a capital vestry are at the north-east angle of the church, and the baptistry, at the west end, is well arranged and contains a handsomely-designed early font.  The east window is of stained glass, illustrating the life of Christ.  The doors are ample and admit of good entrance and exit.  The pewing is comfortable and compact.  The school class rooms and offices below account for the stilted appearance before referred to.

St. Jude’s is one of the latest and most noticeable instances of aggressive effort on the part of the Established Church.  It was originated by the Rev. J. A. Aston, late Vicar of St. Stephen’s, Kensington, to provide for the spreading suburban population in that part, and has cost, as it now stands, 10,000l., which is entirely the munificent gift to the district of Mr. J. D. Allcroft, of 55, Porchester-terrace, and Wood-street, E.C.  When all complete, including the site and the vicarage shortly to be erected, the cost will be about 19,000l., the additional 9,000l. being jointly guaranteed by Mr. Allcroft, the Rev. J. A. Aston, and the present Vicar.  There is a capital organ, ably presided at by Mr. M. Lochner, having four manuals, and favoured on the choir organ with that very rare stop, the Vox Humana, and capable of enlargement.  This fine instrument was built by Mr. H. Wedlake, of Fitzroy-square, at a cost of 700l., and is another of the grand offerings in connexion with the St. Jude enterprise—being the sole gift of Mrs. Walter Powell of Notting-hill.  The largest of the three rooms underneath the east end of the church is forthwith to be fitted up.  It is capable of holding 400 people, and to be used for the purpose of meetings, Sunday-schools, &c.  It is not intended at present to have day-schools.

Although opened for Divine Service so recently as the 23rd of Dec., 1870, it has within three months collected within its walls one of the largest congregations to be met with around London.  It is estimated to accommodate 1,700 worshippers—and on a special occasion it might very well contain 2,000.  On Sunday morning, February 26, there were from 1,500 to 1,600 present, and the church did not present a crowded appearance.  A glance over the large assembly showed that it contained scarcely a sprinkling of the lower or labouring classes.  It was composed almost entirely of the aristocracy and gentle people of the district, together with the middle and trading classes.  The sittings are let at 2l. 2s., 35s., 30s., and 20s. per year; but as one-third of the entire number are to be free, it may be hoped that the “rich and the poor” will here also meet together before Him “who is the Maker of them all.”

The service is a vigorous rendering of the plain Church Service, cautiously guarded against Ritualistic signs.  The members of the choir are not robed in white, nor have they anything to distinguish them but the place they occupy.  The clergy wear a simple surplice at prayers, and appear in the pulpit in a black gown.  The Rev. R. W. Forrest, M.A., of Trin. Col., Dublin, the first vicar of this new church, was transferred to it from the Lock Chapel, Paddington, having been previously incumbent of St. Andrew’s, Liverpool.  In Paddington he enjoyed a well-deserved popularity, which appears still to attend him in his new sphere of duty.  In appearance he is about forty years of age, tall and commanding in presence, and possessing a strong pleasant voice, used with ease and heard without effort in the remotest corner of the spacious edifice.  His reading of the Holy Scriptures is specially distinct, natural, and impressive.  The pulpit discourse was founded on Heb. iv., and part of the 16th verse, “But was in all points tempted, like as we are, yet without sin.”  It was a practical and touching illustration of our Lord’s temptations in their bearing upon the experience and present comfort of his people, and, being delivered extempore, brought the preacher into direct sympathy with his audience.  The Rev. F. Moran (curate) assisted in reading the prayers—a clergyman who also possesses a clear and distinct enunciation—suitable to the place and the congregation.  Among Mr. Forrest’s hearers on the occasion of our visit were Bishop Barker, of Sydney, Metropolitan of Australia, and the Dean of Ripon.

ST. MATTHIAS WARWICK ROAD, EARL’S COURT, SOUTH KENSINGTON.

The Church of St. Matthias, Warwick-road, Earl’s-court, Kensington, is within sight of St. Jude’s, and, like it, stands almost alone in the open fields.  It has no boundary walls or fences, unless a broken-down hedge on the east side can be called a fence.  Externally, as a structure, there are no very pleasing features; the permanent and temporary portions do not harmonise, and, indeed, the chancel and aisles, the only parts finished, have not in point of detail and design much to recommend their brick walls with bath stone dressings and window tracery of simple character.  Of