New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-07-31

narium, which was in agreement with the rite
established at Rome. To find the Oldest reference
10 such collection must go back to the middle
Of the preceding century. when. about \. u. 100
Pope Paul I sends to Pipn. King of the Franks
and friend ana protector of the Church. IAN Anti
phonary and Responsary." Back of this time We
grope in the dark. no authentic document, no con-
temporary testimony. mentions the epoch in which
the work of composing the songs was ended But
we must bear in mind that the time of Charlie
magne there liturgical books among them
mssal. or sacranentary. which were called Gre
gorian." This. doubtless. the reason why the
notion arose I'm the ninth century that the organ
ization of the Church chant the work of Greg
DRY l. surnamed the Great. the first and most
famous of the three popes Of that name who sat
in the chair OF 81. Peter before the appearance OF
the Frankish munarchS in Rome. In his history
or the life and miracles of St Gregory. the Bene-
dctine monk Johannes Diaconus relates that the
great Pope colated the Antphonary and founded
the Papal singing school. the famous Schola CInto-
rum. Iie even goes 50 far To tell us that We
took part in teaching the children 70 sing. The
good monk assured that in his time Uhat i.
nearly three hundred years laterl the cushion ON
which the holy Pont!n rested while teaching a"d
the rod with which ne Threatened iuattentivc pu-
pills st,u shown in Rome. Although this
anecdote has becu accepted almost unques,ioningly
for "a thousand years. there are weiehty reasons
why It should b. disbeieved.
OBJECTIONS DISCUSSED
First objection: The report of Johannes Dacoua,
is not confirmed 10y a single old document Neither
tho epitaph OF Gregory !. nor the notice in the
lIber Pontihcalis. nor single OF the boE
raphors and panegyrists OF the saint -isidor oc
Seville. his contemporary tho Venerable R,fe OF
century later Paul Watuefried under tH1.lo-
r1agnc-knows anything about the matters Of which
johannes Diacouus discourscs. In the ease OF lsi-
dor and iode this silence an the more scuil-
cant from rho fact that they we both musical
writer's and occupied themselves much with tho
liturgy.
Second objection. St Gregory IS the Pope of
whose writings the greatest number have been PIE
served. lie las left MS not only large mass Of
theological treatises and hOmiiies. but also coy
respondenee numbering more than eisht hundred
letters. covering the entire field Of his public and
private activits during his ronudcate OF thirteen
and half years In all this mass OF writings 1t
does not appear that a single line has been found
up 10 the present time bearing on his lauors "r
connection with the Church chant. on the con-
rary, whoever examines tie literary remains Of
Gregory without prejudice must plainly that
the great Pore took 10 direct interest IN the must
cal part OF divine worship. once. indeed, ne
compelled 70 concern himself with Il. but it IN
entirely different direction from that OF which
the tradition speaks. Here are his words in de-
Of the synod Of a. d sos: In this holy Roman
church. the direction Of which has been Entrusted
70 mo by Providence, ceHsu.ahlc habit has long
existed. Singers are chosen for the divine scr
vice who they have been advanced %
tic exploitation OF their voices. whereas their duty
lies in the direction Of preaching and miulstcrrs
to the poor. Hence it often happens that a priest.
keeping only the beauty Of his voice in view, neg
Iects 10 lin" odifyng life. and offends God while
he ravishe- the people with his singing. Therefore
do I ordain that throughout my jurisdiction the
the holy altar shall no longer sing. but
at the celebration OF the mass conhne themselves
TO reciting the Gospel Tie remaining Hturgtcal
songs are be sung by sub-deacons. and. If
necessary priests Of lower grade Although the
disciplinary regulation turned out to have excellent
results In the development OF the ecclesiastical
art it scarcely be called measure in its favor.
Third objection: The documents upon which 10
names Diaconus bases his assertion notably the
Gregorian Antiphonary. in no respect in har-
mony with the Church calendar it existed at
the time OF ST Gregory; they are more In con-
sonance with the liturgical customs the begin
ming Of the Franksh period "a. D. 800. Able
Duchesnes indeed. advances the date of the prep
aration of the Cregorian Sacramentary. published
by Muratori to the time Of Pope Hadrian, in the