Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-01-18
TROUBLE OVER A CHOIR.
Bishop Paret Expresses His views,
but Trinity p. f. Church Differs.

Bishop Paret Expresses His Views,
but Trinity p. K. Church Differs.
EarIy last autumn the congregation OF
Trinity P. E. Church, corner OF 30 ana =
streets, decided that to keep pace with
the improvements they were making In
building a fine parish hall and altering
portion of the church's interior arrange
ments a vested choir would be necessary
and so Musical Director D. w. Middleton
was authorized to take the necessary steps
to organize one. He drilled the raw re-
cruits for upwards of three months ana
at the morning service of the last Sunday
in December they made their first appear
ance, winning praises on all sides. But MI.
Middleton, and, for that matter, everybody
interested, forgetting Bishop Parets cft-re-
peated disapproval of vested women, ADD
ed nine ladies to the choir and thence the
origin of the trouble.
The bishop hearing first of the mixed
choristers by rumor wrote letter to Rev.
Dr. Thos. G. Addison, the rector a Few
weeks ago, H. which he expressed ms Sor-
row at the innovation and urged MN. 10
give it up in Difference to his well known
views on that subject. The voices OF the
young ladies have, however, had such
scientific effect in toning the shr1ll treble
of the boys that DR.. Addison knowing his
congregations wishes, found it hard
matter to give them up, and so another
letter was forthcoming from the blShop.
In this Bishop Paret stated that Though
he had not the authority to compel them
to dispense with the ladies, still Trinity
was acting very defiantly, especially as
two articles on the question making Known
his views had already appeared in the
MARYLAND Churchman The latter of these
two articles cited the examples of two
well-known churches. one in Washington,
both of which had partially conformed to
the bishops views by adopting a simpler
letters
Vestry last Thursday and provoked sc me
sharp discussion. One gentleman in giving
his views said that the bishop had never
given the reasons for his diSapproval OF
vested women, and that until he did for his
part he thought no change should be made.
Whether the church choirs are under the
control of the rector of the vestry is a
me otcd question, especially as a canon Of
the Protestant Episcopal church adopted
last October gives the music to be rem
dered and the music only to the direction
of the minister. The vestrymen dispatched
a letter to the bishop Monday last, asking
his reasons in a very courteous manner,
but plainly stating the congregations posi-
ton.
The answer and the result of the con-
flict of wishes is awaited very eagerly by
churchmen, especially as the question con-
Germs not only Trinity, but in a broad sense
the whole Protestant Episcopal church in
America. The question of high and low
church is raised also that of the powers
of bishop a rector and his vestry.
The question Will undoubtedly come up
for discussion at the general convention,
which meets at Minneapolis next autumn,
and will probably be settled then and there.
AS to Trinity, an amicable compromise is
the result now in sight. The choir num-
bers thirty-five. and is composed Of the
following: Masters Berry, Brown, Burn
side, Bryan, Carter, Collins. Forester. For
ker. Kerr McCauley, French, D. w. Mid
dleton, jr, T. Wayland and P. Wayland,
the Misses HALEY. Wheeler, Durfee, Beam.
Weldon, Ballman, johnson, Washington
and Keyser, Messrs. Ariss, Moses, Lane,
Boyle, Newcomb Watson, Foley, Forker,
DR.. A. c. Merriam and Dr. E. A Skillman;
organist, DR.. e. F. Frost; choir master,
Mr. d. w. Middleton.