THE INFLUENCE OF SONG.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 829, 6 October 1916, Page 9

THE INFLUENCE OF SONG.

DIOCESAN CHORAL FESTIVAL

Yesterday afternoon choirs representing 15 churches gathered at the Cathedral to participate in the thirty-second annual festival of the Christehurch Diocesan Choral Association. There was a fair attendance of the public, and the choirs were conducted by Dr Bradshaw, Mr R. Lake (Avonside) acting as organist. The choirs appeared in the following numerical strength:— Christehurch Cathedral, 45; St. Luke's, 15; St. John's, 18; Holy Trinity, Avonside, 41; St. Barnabas, Fendalton, 20; St. Mary's Merivalc, 31; St. Chad's, 13; New Brighton, 13; St. Mark's, Opawa, 31; St. Paul's Papanui, 17; St. Peter's, Riccarton, 18; St. Matthew's, St. Albans, 43; St. Martin's, Spreydon, 10; TempletonPrebbleton, 5; Hornby, B;—total, 334. The Rev. E. H. Shore was the officiating clergyman, the lessons being read by the Rev. P. J. Cocks and Canon Hamilton. The service, which opened with the processional hymn, included the beautiful anthem "The Lord is Loving Unto Every Man." At the evening service the choral music was completed, and at the conclusion the full choir and congregation sang the National Anthem. The Rev. E. H. Shore again officiated, and the lessons were read by the Revs. H. T. York and A. More.

A thoughtful address was delivered by the Bev. G. S. Bryan-Brown, chaplain of Christ's College, on the influence of song in church life. He described the ennobling part played by song in the battles of the early Christians, and ils wonderful heartening influence on the troops who were now lighting the battles of the Empire. Song had often averted a panic, had given consolation in lime of danger and sorrow, had turned darkness into light. When the doomed Lusitania was about lo sink, the passengers lifted their thoughts from Ihe dread of Ihe coining death with the hymn "Abide With Me." British soldiers of all times had gone into battle with songs on their lips, and iiad died singing praises lo God. The inmost feelings of the heart —joy, sorrow, exultation, triumph,—were all expressed in song. When speech and song joined, music reached its highest level. The Psalms were priceless song jewels of the church. He appealed to all choristers lo treat church song with the seriousness and consideration which was it due. and as a duty to God. The service was concluded with Ihe Benediction, which was pronounced by his Lordship the Bishop of Christehurch.