HARP AND HYMN.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIII, Issue 214, 6 September 1912, Page 8

HARP AND HYMN.

EVOLUTION OF CHURCH MUSIC. " The Evolution of Harp and Hymn" armed the topic of a very enjoyable vcning last night at the \y.Y.C.A. Miss r . .lames presided, and introduced the seturer, Rev. J. Olphert. The stages in lie development of the stringed instrulents which preceded the modem piano 'ere referred to, with illustrations of the ncient use of the harp. It was suggested bat the harp itself may have Ween disovered by primitive man in his handling f the bow-string in the early days when unting provided him with the means of übsistenee. Hymns were not used in üblic worship till 200 years ago, and iany of our best hymns dated from hat period. Before that song had played n important part in worship, the 'salins being largely used in Jewish nd Christain services. The Dissenters rerc known for their hymn-singing, and or long it was considered unseemly to ing hymns at a service of worship. An xample of some lines of doggerel illusratcd why this opinion held its ground i many uarters. The hymns composed iy Isaac AYatts were of a much higher rder than those then in use. The apcarance of his first volume of "Spiritual iongs " marked quite an epoch, and opics of that book were so rare to-day hat a volume was sold recently for Cl4O. The place of music and hymns ii any widespread religious movement iad been recognised by every evangelist inep. Popular tunes were used by Chas. Vesley, who wrote suitable verses. Of he 6,000 hymns he composed, many were till in use, " Jesu, Lover of My Soul " >eing perhaps the best. Incidents concerning various hymns vere given, and musical illustrations vera given by Miss V. EUinghani and diss Olphert.