The Monmouth inquirer., 1865-10-05

tlonal singing, our one remaining voice
with the aid of pitch-pipe. leading the
tune; bnt bit by bit the congregation
grew tired of duty which had always
devolved uyon paid officials, and many q
tune was sung by old Jamie and the chill
dren-he with spectacles on nose and
book in hand while the other hand
hooked in his red waistcoat, beat time on
his breast to the tune; save when, in
some pathetic verse, it was released to
cuff some youngster who gave tongue too
Justify, and didn't appreciate the tenn
per" of the strain Then in our perplex
ty we procured small barrel-organ
which had seen service in a room used
for dancing on week days, and service on
Sundays. 1t was peculiar instrument;
the first time we tried it, it went off like
musical snnffbox, and played all the
tunes successfully, including a waltz and
i" Merrily danced the Quaker's wife. y
Earndale has not forgot that Sunday yet.
The wardens and sexton managed to
carry it out (it was not large) into the
churchyard, and even there it fred away
tune after tune amid the snow and cold
till all the machinery was unwound. Be
fore the next Sunday we had it put in
order, but it seldom went right. Some
times the wires jnst elevated the keys
enough to let portion of the wind into
the pipes producing mournful whines like
key hole music; sometimes, from want of
pinning the barrel. it wound from one
tune into another with marvellous dexter
ity; sometimes the wires were bent, and
discord harsh and strong grunted and
thundered in one line, while in the next
for halt a line, was vacuum of notes of
any sort. At last we understood it bet
ter, and congregational singing of some
sort was actually inaugurated.
Like most old churches, Enrndale had
suffered under the beautifying Juror Of the
eighteenth century: whitewash, a ceiling,
large, square pews; one description serves
for all Far be it from our sober criticism
to join in the outcry against that age;
what would have remained of our old
churches without such Identification ?"
At all events, its preserved them to us,
and probably in more seemlv state than
they have been since the Wars OF the
Roses.
Earndale church had suffered in the
process-rood screen, chancel, arch, rere-
does were gone; some windows we're
square, some circular, some Grecian, and
there was an urn in the corner, and sun
dial over the door We began to restore,
and little by little replaced arch and
screen and window, chancel and oak roof;
sea- ed the nave afresh, and quarreed
over the seats, and churchmen will to
etel nifty. We paid our bills. The church
was seemly one; and we began to think
it was not quite the thing for the district
chapel of Oatgate to glory in finger
organ, while we ground music on bar
REL
So we formed committee, Farmer
jolly, our churchwarden, in the chair =
We ordered new organ-a handsome
instrument; "plenfy of music In it," was
old Jolly's instruction to the builder. The
subscriptions didn't quite make up the
cost, but then committees never look at
that insignificant item, and we resolved
to open the organ with eclat, and have a
collection.
A week or so before the day, deputa-
tion of the ladies Of my parish called at
the rectory with mission to the rector.
| am a man of simple and retired habits.
| felt nervous on hearing it was deputa-
ton of ladies, but was relieved to read on
the cards the names of Miss Fanny Pea
flower and Miss Betsy Floskin, two OF the
youngest young lad es in Earuda'e, both
very musical, both pets of the rector from
childhood-and knew it too | suspected
they had some deep scheme in their pretty
heads, but all the same was indefinitely
glad that they, and not the widow, my
lady Tor sticks-who always talks on pa
thetlc topics, goes to balls and can't come
to church-or Miss Stiers, whase CONVEX
saton is learned or religious had been
chosen to represent the ladies of Earn
dale. don't think | abuse confidence if
| say that all the pretty speeches they
could frame. and all the charming looks
they could put on, were on that morning
Forthcoming, just to fathom the temper in
which their errand would be received.
They managed their mission adroitly
The ladies Of EarHdale, as ! knew, were
fond of music, and they had often heard
me say that church music ought to be
more cultivated than it is, and they wish.
ed very much they were sur, | should
not oil ject--to celebrate the opening of
the organ with choral service.
''Choral servicew exclaimed |, aston
ished, "and where is the choir to bt found?
You wouldn't have old Jamie and the
school children attempt it ?"
No; the ladies woul undertake that
duty, come and sit in the chancel, and
sing all the responses
And do you know we have practiced
so much, we can do it perfectly ?'
But how can you manage" said !,
" without male voices +? Your small
sweet notes will sound angelic, and all
too unearthly."
Oh, there's young Seabody. and hall
dozen more who have attended all the