CHURCH MUSIC.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 866, 5 October 1888, Page 15

CHURCH MUSIC.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEW ZEALAND MAIL. g IRj I see by the Synod report in the N.Z. Times that Captain Hewitt has denounced the new reredos and the choral service at St Paul’s Cathedral, London. T hope that, as a consequence, one of the finest examples of modern Christian art wiil not forthwith be demolished, nor the beautiful and reverent service, which (draws hundred of devout worshippers to the cathedral day by day, be discontinued. It is truly pitiable to see the attitude taken by certain members of our Synod on the subject of church music and art. They seem to regard these things as inventions of the devil, and to be used only in his service. It is much to be wished that they could temporarily work their will, and, as a first step, abolish church choirs. The result would come home to them at once in a mnnner that would astonish them. It is really time that this nonsense about “ high-class music should be put a stop to. If music is to be used at all in church, it should surely, be of the best that we can offer. No one recognised this more fully nowadays than the great dissenting bodies, in whose services music is being fostered and encouraged in every possible way as one of the most powerful handmaids to religion. I know as a fact that in many dissenting chapels music is used of a more elaborate character than we find' in our churches here. But “the congregation cannot join ! ” No ! Because the congregation (taking some of our local congregations as an example) is too lazy and indifferent and respectable. Some time ago an earnest effort was made at St Pauls, Thorndon, to encourage congregational singing ; special practices were held and music provided—everything in fact was done that could be done, except by the very people who clamour so loudly for congregational singing. These showed itheir earnestness in the matter by conspicuously holding aloof. After all, our church authorities, clerical and lay, can no more stay the progress of church revival in art and music than could Mrs Partington stay the waves of the Atlantic, and if they could they would find themselves left alone to mutter in their empty churches. —I am, &c., Churchman. October 2.