CHURCH MUSIC.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 867, 12 October 1888, Page 24

CHURCH MUSIC.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEW ZEALAND MAIL. Sir,—l am pleased to find that there is one churchman bold enough to come forward and speak his mind in regard to the slipshod manner in which our Anglican service is -coirducted"‘in this town. One thing our Empire City can boast of, and no very enviable boast either, viz., there is not a cathedral service to be heard in this town. I was peifectly astonished on going to St Paul’s pro-Cathedral one Sunday, . morning, in tho full hopes of hearing one of those lovely choral services that our churches in the Mother Country are so proud of, to hear and prayers read, and the choir stalls nearly empty—it made me wonder whether I was in the cathedral of the city or merely in a “ chapel of ease.” On’asking the reason, I was told that some of the elder members of the congregation objected to the music, and a quiet service was held in the morning to suit them. Surely, Sir, this seems to me a most outrageocs proceeding—that our beafitiful Liturgy should be spoilt because a few of the pillars of the church set their backs up against it. I would like to know, Sir, whether these gentlemen have ever heard the grand services sung and intoned in the Anglican churches ,in the Old Country ; if they had, I douht very much if they would object to the services being given in a true and spiritual maimer here. I agree with your correspondent when he says it .is laziness that keeps members of the congregation from joining in the singing. I have Been some people standing perfectly mute during the singing of some of our easiest hymns. I have often wondered how it is that the Anglican churches in New Zealand lack the zeal and energy that is so perceptible among congregations in the Old Country, and have coma to the conclusion that it is the want of true church praise and service, which perhaps some of our members would be pleased to call ritualism. ) I would, iu conclusion, ask members of our community to become possessed of a little work called the “ Congregation in Church,” which will teach them how a Church of England service was always meant to be conducted.—l am, &c., Anti-Humbug.