CORRESPONDENCE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VII, Issue 1140, 6 October 1880, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

[Wodont hold ourselves rc.p^twiiile for opinions expressed by correspondents.] ENGLISH CHURCH MUSIC. [ To the Editor of the Herald.] Sir, — During the past few months various letters and local paragraphs have appeared in your paper on the above subject, many of which have been open to question. Some of the writers object to the Anthems aung by the Choir on the ground that the music is too scientific, that the congregation prefer only the simplest chants and tunes, that many members of the congregation are so strongly opposed to Anthem singing that they remain seated whilst they are being rendered. In your issue of last evening you are unnecessarily severe on those who did not stand up during the rendering of the Anthem by characterizing their conduct as an ''Exhibition" and the practice as "unseemly." It appears to me, Sir, that from first to last, not one of your letters or locals on the subject has been fair, impartial, or to the point. With regard to the Anthems themselves. Some few of the congregation may object to them, but I am assured that the great majority enjoy them, for, as a rule, they are very creditably sung. It is possible that the objectors belong to that class of experts who insist on having a thorough ''go in " at church ; who must roar (generally in a jerky, piping, altotenortreble) through every Chant, Hymn or Anthem in the service, regardless of tune or any such minor considerations. Naturally enough, these object to an Anthem of which they know northing } fqr ? though they sing it— as a matter of course— it must occur, even to themselves, that they are occassionally a few notes out of tune. 1 believe, however, that with the exception of these last mentioned individuals, the major portion of the congregation prefer an Anthem in the service. Now let us consider the sitting down part of the subject. You, sir, and the majority of your correspondents hive coolly and roost unjustifiably assumed, as a matter of course, that certain peojgle. I remain seated because they object to the anthems, and because they consider it a convenient mode of shewing their disapprobation. Believe me, my dear, sir, you a,nd your correspondents are as. far mistaken, when you make such statements, as you ever were in your lives, Did it never ocpur to yourself and your aapint correspondents that it was possible that those who I remained seated during the anthem, did so because they found it to be as economical to sit as to stand ; because they would not attempt to part jn the anthem, because' they could listen to the music more comfortably sitting than standing ? Did it nevgr occup to you, air, that, whilst one could throw a biscuit from your house to the Ohurch, Homo of the most regular attendants (hoido of them ladies) walk nearly two miles to the evening service and that, therefore, it is not altogether "an exhibition" or " unseemly conduct " on their part if they do remain seated during the anthem.

I would suggest that the clergyman should put an end to all this paltry discussion by annunucing publicly to his congregation, either from the pulpit, through the columns of your widely circulated and well conducted journal, or by any other mode preferable to himself, what his ia opinion on the question, whether or not it is proper to remain seated during the Anthem. If Mr. Williams does consider that those who sit down are wanting m respect or reverence, there will be an end to the subject for it will be an easy matter for those who live at a distance from Church to remain at home on anthem nights if they feel unequal to so much standing up during service. I am, &c. , F. D. [To the Editor of the Herald.] Sir, — You v«ry justly remark that it is a most unseemly practice for some persons to be sitting and some standing during the time Anthems are sung in Church. To say the least of it, these half-dozen persons or so who sit down, show exceeding bad toste to be singular in Gods House. People who go to Rome should do as Rome does. If persons have not the good |manners to avoid singularity in public worship, I would strongly advise the Incumbent to have no Anthem sung at all, so that uniformity might prevail. — I am, &c. , Decency.