The Washington times., 1902-05-04
True Poetry Should Mark the
Religious Song.
DR.. H0RDER EXPLAINS VIEWS
Declares 'Bathed in Blood an Ideal
"Suited to Slaughter House" - Too
Many Hymns About Heaven - Visits
America to Lecture and Collect Data.

The Rev. W. Garrett Horder. of Ealing
London. author of several works on the
evolution of modern hymnody. has beer
spending a few days in Washington.
DR.. Horder has come to this country
with the purpose of delivering some lee
lures on hymnody in general and Ameri
can hymns in particular. The latter sub
ject is one to which he has given espe-
cial attention, and collection of Ameri-
can religious poems was recently edited
by him. under the title THE Treasury OF
American Sacred Song
After inspecting this little volume tn.
average American is likely to come to
the conclusion that DR.. Horder knows
more about the poetry which Americans
have written than they themselves do;
for there are in 1t many exquisite and un-
familiar things by American authors,
which certainly deserve wider publicity.
DR.. Horder believes that modern hymno-
dy needs m .ch revision. and that some
so-calied sacred songs now frequently
heard ought to be eliminated from the
hymn books. In conversation last even
ing he expressed himself rather forcibly
on this subject
An Objectionable Hymn.
81 was asked after my first collection
Of English hymns was published he
said ''why l did Lot include a certain
hymn containing many aliusions to the
blood of Christ. / said that money could
not induce me TO put that hymn in the
collection. / didn't publish the book for
money, though ! hoped to make a little
money cut of it. and would not for any
consideration have included that hymn.
IL do not see any warrant in the New
Testament for the use of phrases of this
kind. Christ himself seldom used such
imagery. and it must be remembered that
the Oriental mind allows the use of fig
ures of speech which are not natural to
us.
"Such ideas as that of being bathed in
blood are suited rather to the slaughter
house than to a church"
Dr. Hcrder is not the typical English
man in appearance. and ones imagination
would have to be very active to fit him
to the picture of the typical John Bull.
His hair is iron gray. his eyes are dark,
aud there is a twinkle in them which be-
trays a keen and lively sense of humor.
He is very much interested In American
life and customs. and quick to feel the
distinctive atmosphere OF a place or the
characteristics of any individual with
whom he comes in contact.
Too Many Hymns of Heaven.
IL may have shocked some OF the good
people TO whom have lectured." he went
on, reflectively. "by saying that there
ought not to be so much attention given
to hymns about heaven. We don't want
TO 20 to heaven; we want to know how
TO live. Hymns which deal with ethical
subjects should be given the preference.
Il have heard little story which Illus
trates this bishop was on a boat
crossing the channel when a storm came
up. and a wreck seemed likely to occur.
The bishop came to the captain, very
much frightened. and asked If there were
any danger. The captain said. Indeed.
we may all be in heaven in an hour The
bishop Immediately began to pray that
the boat might be saved. You see, even a
bishcp doesn't always want TO 90 to
beaver"
Dr. Horder advocates the use OF hymns
which are poetry. set TO music which Is
essentially sacred. In one OF his lectures
he makes the statement that poetry Is
the natural language OF religion. He has
included in his collection of American
hymns several by Ray Palmer. Mary A.
Lathbury. Sake Holm. John @. Whittier.
end other authors not generally known
as hymn writers. and these poems, if set
TO music he believes. and properly intro
duced, would undoubtedly supersedc some
of the hymns which are now being sung
in places of worship.
DR. Horder firmly believes that the
people will choose the best If it is Of
fered - them. and that when sponta- |
neous expression of religious feeling in
song occurs the hymn chosen is almost |
invariably true poetry.
Essential to Clergyman's Training.
He considers knowledge of hymnody |
an essential part of clergyman's train
ing. believing that without this the clergy |
man misses much Of his opportunity for |
usefulness.
During his stay in America DIR. Horder |
has been the guest Of several American |
authors whom he has long known by |
his work bringing him |
into communication with most American |
pocts of note. He spoke with much ap
rreciation OF the work of Miss Anna
crapnis, author of two charming poems
included in his collection. and OF two Or
Ilir,c hooks. She is native OF small
Connecticut town. and has worked In
,Ac.ory nearly all her life II seems to
be case OF another Lucy Larcom.
DIR. Horder expressed himself as de-
lighted with his stay in Washington, and
spoke with warn admiration of President
Roosevelt. upon whom he called. In
'pcak.ns Of Senator SDooner's speech on
he Philippines, he observed that with
,nc or two changes. it would almost nj
he cc,::h African situation. He considers
he tvo problems as very much alike. and
Is presenting 1ificulties apparently al
most insurInount able.