THE BAGPIPES IN CHURCH.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 3157, 17 September 1892, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE BAGPIPES IN CHURCH.

Tun Rev. R. Brown Borthwiok, All Saints Viroiiniffo. Scarborough, writes to the Scotchman .—Will yuu allow me, as a Scotsman domiciled in to expression ir vour columns to the unfeigned pride .;nd pleasure with which I attended the military service last Sunday in York Minster, in which as is known, the bagpipes took part—aud a very imp ntant part, too—iu the ac'ual service of the sanctuary ? Eight Kilted Highlanders of the Royal Scots—uuder the able leadership of Pipe-Major liXthoson—played a Highland ' L-iinent , as aa integral pavt of the anthem. The afFect was iiiliuitel)' touching and beautiful. The thousands mvsout, most of whom had no doubt associated the bagpipes only with whisky and reels, or with" the sinsrle Highlander of the streets who too often greets you in the broadest Irish broaui; seemed to be quite astounded and timChod. There was noticeable at the first skirl of the pipes a liL'bt. tendency to a smile ; but it appeared to be instantly subdued by the solemn and pathetic wail, accompanied throughout by the soft re 11 of the muflled drums! For myself, I freely confess teat I was fairly overcome. Of course, the beautiful ' Lament'—so beautifully played—might have had a very different effect in a town hall or in the streets. But the lofty nave and pillared aisles of tho stately Miuster caused the plaintive wail and'the impressive drone of tho bagpipes to sound much as they do unionist their native hills. Aud who that has once heard the bijrpipes amongst the hills of bonuie Scotland does not kuow tho difference between their sound there and in ordinary surroundings? To me one thing- is certain, after the experiment in York Min-ter — viz. that the bagpipes, properly used, should not be excluded from the service of the sanctuary if other in.-tramenta arc admitted—at any rate in their nutivo country. But tbeir use would have to bo guarded by th" scrupulous selfrestraint and perfect execution of such pipes as those who played on Sunday as well as by the masterly insight into this most effective u<o shown by_ Dr N-iylor, the eminent organi-'t of YorkMinster, who with so fine a sense of arti-tic fitness iutroduced them into his truly noble and affecting anthem.— Oban Times.