To THE EDITOR OF THE PRESS.

Press, Volume XLVI, Issue 7356, 8 July 1889, Page 6

To THE EDITOR OF THE PRESS.

Sir,—l have just read the letter signed "Se'l Help," in your issue of this morning, making certain suggestions in regard to carrying on the Cathedral Services under present monetary difficulties. In regard to the Canons of the Cathedral doing < '* bona fide work," I quite agree with your correspondent, but would go further and say that they should in the first place be in a position to do such work. As an instance, I am in-, formed on good authority that one of tbe Canons resides at such a distance from Christchurch as to render it quite impossible that he should be able to do " oona fide work " in connection with his office. He, at all events, might well be called upon, under present circumstances, to forgo his £200 per annum. In regard to your correspondent's last suggestion, that the music of the Cathedral should be supplied by voluntary help, I totally disagree with him. Had " Selfhelp" the experience of the writer of volunteer choirs in churches, he would know what a broken reed they are in most cases todepend upon.Thatthereare brilliant exceptions is doubtless true, but if such a large and efficient choir as is required at the Cathedral were left entirely to voluntary help, tbe musical portions of the service would become anything bat what they now are. What is really wanted to revive the Cathedral and to obtain monetary help, not only from churchmen but from citizens generally, is a good preacher. It is no use beating about tbe bush any longer. Let that crying wane be supplied, as is the practice in cathedrals in the Old Country, and we would soon see a very different state of affairs to that which we are all, irrespective of denomination, lamenting in connection with our beautiful cathedral. The music is good, let the preaching be I good too. Finally, I would remark that the dismantled tower is a bad enough advertisement outwardly; let us not add to it a dismantled service inside. —Yours, I &c, I " Episcopalian.