The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1879-01-26
CONGREGATIONAL SINGING.
WHAT IS POSSIBLE IN ORDINARY CATHOLIC
CONGREGATIONS AT vEsPERs.

| WHAT IS POSSIBLE IN ORDINARY CATHOLIC
| CONGREGATIONS AT vEsPERs.
"A Catholic Reporters letter to the Liverpool Catho
| lie Times.
Some few weeks back there appeared in
Catholic as we'll rs in general newspspers
a series of letters discussing the advisable
| ity eff introducing various reforms in the
| music now in use in our churches, and sug
| gesting alterations snd Improvements.
| The writer's of thnse letters were evidently
men possessing a thorough grasp aud ap-
probation of the subject in all its bearings,
| and the merits of the reforms sought to be
introd uced, in comparison with the method
at present prevailing, were advocated and
questioned with vigor aud ability which
left little to be said on either side. One
distinct feature of the question, however,
which might with advantage to many,
have been made more leading and dis
tinct point in that discussion, remained
very much in allegiance throughout, if in
deed it was not altogether ignored. The
omission of any extended reference to con
gregational singing is to be regretted when
! the objects of the scussiou are consider
ed. The expediency of inducing the con
gregations of our churches to participate in
the music of the services, alike as means
to increase their number, and to instil into
the minds Of all deeper interest in every
thing relating to our faith, has been recent
ly in a state of revival. As a Catholic re-
porter. it has been my privilege to visit
most of the churches in London and many
churches in the principal towns in England
and Scotland. may therefore have had
exceptional opportunities .of seeing aud
hearing how variously the services are con-
Quoted.
IrI NOW THE RULE
in many of the London churches for the
congregation to join in the Vespers and
hymns sung at Benediction, with the re
suit of increasing the attendance in a
noticeable degree. This can only be
asctibed to the love Of music Inherent in
the majority of people, aud desire to
bear u part.ia oGr religious services when
ever practicable. The NJ 1sses bequeathed
to the Church by the great composers as
rule exhibit 30 many difficulties of a tech
ncal nature rs to put aside as impractica
ble tbs idea of any body of unframed
| singers taking part in their execution.
Therefore, 1t would be needless to discuss
| the question of the congregation j)ining in
the N usc of the Macs. But the same ob
| lection does not hold good with the greater
portion OF the music sung at the evening
services. These compositions vary very
! widely from the Masses, aud present no
| iDsurmountable difficulties to those who
| are possessed of q moderate knowledge of
music, or a good ear. Should congrega-
| tional singing be adopted, at the outset
there would doubtless be found csvillers
|
would, in all likelihood, be an abundance ;
but practice would soon leave no room for
| complaint, and as matters now stand holes
| can easily be picked in the rendition of the
music in many places by those who are 30
willed. Churches can be pointed out in
London, not small missions bat among the
most fashionable in the metropolis, where
any improvement in the singing would be
| gladly welcomed. Already many churches,
| not alone in London, but throughout Eng
land and Scotland, have adopted congre :
gatonal singing with every reasonable
euccess. A new element of interest per
vades the service when young and old can
join in the song of praise, and the people
show their appreciation of the privilege
| by thronging in greater mum bers than when
they were listeners only. 1t is no more
| than reasonable to think that it should be
| go.
FEW WITH LOVE FOR MUSIC
can hear the grand anthems aud hymns
pealiug through our churches without feel.
ing strong desire to DIN the strain, and
| when the desire can be realized the church
| will have still another attraction for such
minds.
The present seems q most fitting time
when a movement in favor of cOngreg4
| tional singing could make rapid headway
| The wonderful progress in the study of N usiC
during recent years in England has cleared
the way to very great extent for suct
work. Singing, as an important element
in education, has received SO much consid
Grafton of late years that it is now included
| in the list of subjects taught in the most
elementary schools. As the natural result
of this there is growing up in our midst &
large number Of the young of both seIei
who are thoroughly grounded in the ele
ments of a science which, if carefully cult
vated, tends in great measure to exercise
a refining influence on the mind and ele
vate general habits of life. 1t seems bu
just to suppose that if higher STANDARD
of musical education obtained amongst the
masses
MANY OF THE GRossER VICES.
would be swept away through its reininJ
influence. Certain it ia that the resorts, b,
some misnomer called music halls, bu
which in many cases are but hotheds o
vice, would speedily undergo great i'm