device he has displayed in St. Mark’s, Notting-hill, St. George’s, Campden-hill, and elsewhere, has given a free adaptation of early French Gothic.  There are a nave and aisles, separated on either side by five handsome columns of Devonshire marble, with carved-stone capitals, and supporting an entablature of six arches on each side, from which a lofty groined roof spans the nave.  The arches are of variegated brick, with Bath-stone dressings; and the higher part of the side walls in the same, the lower part being faced with Bath-stone ashlar.  The choir and chancel are ample in dimensions, the former being furnished with high cathedral-backed stalls, and the former ornamented with neatly-illuminated texts, the Ten commandments, &c., and over the communion-table the words—which it may be hoped, will be a faithful index to the ministry ever to be exercised in the church, “Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to him that believeth.”  The organ is a borrowed instrument of very inferior quality, and which is shortly to be supplanted by one more adapted to the beautiful and spacious edifice.  Towards this most desirable improvement 40l. only has yet been raised, towards 250l., the estimated cost.  As the congregation and immediate neighbourhood are mainly poor, it would be a real boon if some wealthier person or persons beyond the district could devise the means to present to the church a suitable instrument.  The church is admirably adapted for the free passage both of light and sound, and the plain but variously-stained windows, without Scripture or canonical characters, add to the beautiful effect of the whole structure.  There are no galleries; but the ground floor, well laid out with substantial open pews, supplies accommodation for 950, but is capable of taking 1,000 without overcrowding.  We regretted to observe that the congregation present at the morning service were not anything like half the number.  The audience in the evening, however, is said to be much larger, a feature very characteristic of poor localities, where many week-day working people are seldom prepared for church before evening on the Sabbath.  The place is well warmed by a large stove, which sent a comforting glow of heat through the entire space; and is lit at night from ornamental pillars, each having four branches, and each branch three jets, specially designed by Messrs. Johnson Brothers, of High Holborn.  The floors of the aisles, choir, and chancel are inlaid with tessellated tiles.

The first builder was unable to fulfil his contract, which occasioned considerable delay; but ultimately it was taken in hand by Messrs. Scriven and White, of Camden-town, who carried out their engagement to perfect satisfaction.

Church work, in this case, is yet in its infancy, and seems to ask for assistance.  There are, however, the seeds of what, let us hope, may prove a future moral and spiritual harvest.  The population requires to be wrought upon outside the walls, that they may be brought more fully to comprehend their privileges.  It appears quite certain that within there are all the means of good to them.  The service is devoutly and earnestly performed in its Evangelical interpretation, the prayers, psalms, and creeds being read, and responded to by the congregation.  The musical part is Gregorian plain-song; but sufficiently varied to prevent the sense of severe monotony.  The choir is at present a mixture of male and female voices; and there is some room for improvement, which will doubtless come when it is assisted by a better organ.  The hymn-hook is the “Church and Home Metrical Psalter and Hymnal.”  The Rev. Robert Towers, B.A., the Vicar, was without assistance in the clerical portion of the service.  He reads in a distinct and feeling manner; and preaches extempore, purely and properly so.  His text was taken from Matthew ix. 12: “They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick,” &c.  In this discourse in simple language and illustration, we verily believe was preached the truth as it is in the Gospel.  We could not but wish that the place had been crowded to hear it.  The disease of sin was scripturally set forth as inherent in man’s nature, hereditary, loathsome, contagious, and by all human means incurable.  Mr. Towers is a preacher who is not afraid to speak of sin in appropriate terms, telling his audience plainly that “it damns the soul and fills hell”; and that in the world wherever it is found, “the blast of the devil passes over, and carries its accursed infection beyond.”  As to its human incurability, “Not even religious ceremonies in themselves could avail.  Baptism was not regeneration.”  Sin would still reign and increase “its deadly and damnable effects in the soul,” for there was “no getting through or living it down.  It was very death itself.”  “But thanks be unto God that though the wages of sin be death, the gift of God is eternal life, through our Lord Jesus Christ.”  The character and ability of the great Physician, and the Divine mode of cure, through the application of “the precious blood” by “the Holy Ghost” to the repentant sinner, were impressively and unmistakeably set forth, together with the delightful effects in the experience of men.  In short, we have never listened to more real Gospel within thirty minutes of time than on the morning of Sunday, November 12, 1871.  We sincerely hope the church will soon be filled, from the chancel to the baptistry.  There is a Sunday-school with about 150 scholars, and an excellent staff of teachers.  A Church of England Young Men’s Society has been established about six months, and supplies a number of very competent male teachers to the school, which at present meets in the church in the afternoon.  A near site, however, for a school is already purchased, and will be built upon as soon as funds are secured for the purpose.  Mission-rooms attached, capable of holding about 100 persons, are at 15, Appleford-road, where a missionary is employed and holds service Sunday afternoons and Monday evenings; three Bible-women are also doing their useful work in the parish.  There would appear, therefore, to be much of the machinery requisite for carrying on the work in this new locality; but the church is entirely dependent on voluntary support, and, the people being poor, that support is as yet but feeble.  The weekly offertory was at first adopted; but soon discontinued, being considered unpopular, and boxes were placed at the doors.  The financial result, however, is most insignificant; and it is evident that something more is necessary, if this fine church and zealous few are not to be crippled in their energies.  An earnest appeal is therefore being made by the Vicar and the Churchwardens, Mr. W. J. Murlis and T. Horsman, for help to meet the expenses.  One thing should not be unnoticed; a provident fund is established for the poor, from which the sick, aged, and persons suffering from want of work, are aided in time of need.  The society adds two-pence to every shilling deposited by the members when able, and already between 60l. and 70l. stands to the credit of the fund.

ST. JUDE’S, SOUTH KENSINGTON.

The new Church of St. Jude’s, South Kensington, is situate close to the Cromwell and Gloucester-roads, and stands out boldly, tree-less, and alone, a striking object in the surrounding plain, looming largely in the distance.  Nor is it less striking on a closer view.  It is in the early Gothic style, some fair detail of which it possesses, especially in the character of the west front, which is a happy composition; but its most remarkable features consist in the number of gables, gable-crosses, terminations, and chimneys, the great size of some of its windows,