The Mission of the Church A CELEBRATION FOR THE CENTENNIAL OF YE CHRISTIAN HERALDS GO PROCLAIM Ye Christian heralds, go proclaim The Choir, preceded by a Crucifer, comes in processional up the centre aisle. In their midst come three figures in the friar's cowl and gown representing THE VOICE OF DIVINE MEDIATION, in soft white or cream, lined with very pale yellow or with purple, and carrying a large processional Cross; THE WORD OF GOD, in a soft blue, lined with rose, and carrying a Bible; and THE APPEAL OF THE HUMAN SPIRIT, in soft rose, lined with blue, and carrying a Flaming Torch. At the head of the aisle the Choir divides, the parts going to places at the front corners of the Nave, where they lead the singing of the Congregation. The three Voices go to their respective places-in front of the Altar; at the Lectern; and at the Pulpit. From the Chancel door or the Vestry door come Angels to meet the three Voices. Two, in lavender with golden wings, attend the Voice of Divine Mediation, one on either side of him; one in rose with golden wings attends the Word of God at the Lectern; and one in blue with golden wings attends the Appeal of the Human Spirit at the Pulpit. With the Choir may be carried the American and Church Flags in procession; these should be placed at either front corner of the Nave. At the close of the hymn, the Voice of Divine Mediation, standing facing the Congregation, raises the Cross high above him as he speaks. VOICE OF DIVINE MEDIATION The Lord is in His Holy Temple: let all the earth keep silence before Him. (Habakkuk 11, 20.) WORD OF GOD For the earth is the Lord's, and all that therein is; the compass of the world, and they that dwell therein. (Psalm xxiv, 1.) APPEAL OF THE HUMAN SPIRIT Lift up your hearts! Yea, lift them up unto the Lord! CONGREGATION We lift them up unto the Lord. The Voice of Divine Mediation, lowering the Cross, turns and kneels at the Chancel Rail to offer the following Collect. The other two Voices turn partly toward the Altar but remain standing. The four Angels also kneel. The Congregation remains standing. VOICE OF DIVINE MEDIATION O God, Who hast made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on the face of the whole earth, and didst send Thy blessed Son to preach peace to them that are far off and to them that are nigh: Grant that all men everywhere may seek after Thee and find Thee. Bring the nations into Thy fold, and add the heathen to Thine inheritance. And hasten, O Lord, the fulfillment of Thy promise to pour out Thy Spirit upon all flesh, through Thy Son, Jesus Christ. Amen. The Voice of Divine Mediation rises and turns round again, and speaks in a loud voice, as not merely addressing the Congregation but also those that are far off. VOICE OF DIVINE MEDIATION Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of Glory shall come in! APPEAL OF THE HUMAN SPIRIT Who is this King of Glory? WORD OF GOD It is the Lord, strong and mighty, even the Lord mighty in battle. VOICE OF DIVINE MEDIATION Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of Glory shall come in! APPEAL OF THE HUMAN SPIRIT Who is this King of Glory? WORD OF GOD Even the Lord of Hosts; He is the King of Glory. (Psalm xxiv, 7-10.) The Congregation sit down. The Organ plays softly the Beethoven theme used for the hymn, Light of Those Whose Dreary Dwelling. The hymn should not, however, be sung. During this music there comes in a group of people representing the Domestic Mission Field. They may be Pioneers, Indians, Negroes or Immigrants, of any race or color to be found in America, so they be akin to the people in the Congregation either in blood or in association of some kind. Their condition of need is important rather than their race. They are poor, even destitute, unkempt, untaught,—a man, a woman and girl or two, and two or three children. They look about them hopelessly, and then sit down, the man sprawled out, on the steps of the Choir. In a pause of the music the Appeal of the Human Spirit speaks meditatively: APPEAL OF THE HUMAN SPIRIT For I am a stranger with Thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were. O spare me a little, that I |