but, therefore, solemnly commend the subject, first, to Him "who is greater than our hearts, and knoweth all things," that He may make use of what I have written as seemeth to Him good ;-next, to "him that is spiritual, who judgeth all things," that he may find in this doctrine "the savour of life unto life";—and, lastly, to the worldling himself, that he may not find in it "the savour of death unto death." And I make this commendation of the subject the more solemnly, because, if I am not mistaken, there is in this "preaching of the Cross" a something, which gives eternal emphasis to that repeated saying of our Lord, “If any man have ears to hear, let him hear":-and yet again to another saying of His, "Whosoever shall fall upon this stone, shall be broken; but upon whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder."

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TRAININGUL

THE FORMATION AND TRAININGIB

OF CHURCH CHOIRS.

THAT "the service of song in the house of the Lord" should be rendered in a manner worthy of Him to whom it is offered, is a sentiment which will be echoed in the heart of every Christian. For many generations this service unhappily has been suffered to fall into decay, and the voice of praise and thanksgiving has grown faint and discordant. Perfect desolation has even reigned in many a holy place, and choirs and all the adjuncts for the rendering of the beauty of song have disappeared. In these latter days, however, this grand element in real worship has received more attention and culture, but the progress to general revival is slow, proving how easy it is to lose ground, and, when lost, how difficult to recover it.

To trace out the music of the Church (1) from the day when the first song was sung by the Children of Israel down to its full development during the ages of undivided Christendom is no part of the subject before us. I may, however, recall to mind the fact that the bulk of the offices of our Book of Common Prayer consists of acts of prayer and praise-those which the priest and people recite together, and those in which the priest's part is followed by a congregational response.

If public confession, prayer, and praise are to be adequately rendered by a congregation, it must be duly led. A clerk or clerks for this purpose is the provision made by the church. When a body of clerks or choristers lead the congregation in the people's part of the church's offices the service is choral. It is a fundamental error to suppose that choristers have only to sing what is to be

(1.) As a result of a survey of Old Testament History, with reference to the precedents and rules it affords on the question of church service, it is observed that, "We learn that God's "Church is emphatically a singing church; that music, vocal and instrumental, is designed by "His express appointment to constitute one essential element, one necessary feature, one "integral part of His public ritual, that the absence of music and suitable ceremonial in the 'history of His ancient church, is, in every case, not the result of His will, but of man's sinful "disregard of that will: an infallible sign not of faithfulness, but of the unfaithfulness of "His people.-The Annotated Book of Common Prayer, by Rev. J. H. BLUNT.

sung.

"

A choir

"Choral service" may be more or less elaborately musical. may, on a fast-day, or at ferial seasons, say" every word, yet the service so “said” is not only rudimentally musical, but strictly choral. It is not, surely, comely that congregations in these days should be led by choristers who are uneducated, who cannot recite well and enunciate distinctly. The mother tongue ought not to be degraded in the House of God. Moreover, the difference between acts of prayer and acts of praise should be marked by a suitable difference in utterance and expression, and choristers should be instructed in the intent and meaning of the church's services, not only as regards the Eucharistic office (2), the Matins and Evensong and the Litany, but also in the occasional offices. They should be trained or educated to minister in all-the one-voiced utterance being the foundation of all true choir work.

But our first consideration is how to form a choir. I will premise the most discouraging circumstances in which a church can be placed. Now, there is, in any case, the clerk. However imperfectly this office may be filled, it is one which ought to be recognised and utilised, and generally can be utilised. The clerk probably is susceptible of training-of acquiring a clear and distinct articualtion. Associate with him other male adults, even though their number be few, who have the disposition and the ability to devote themselves to the service of God; being communicants, and possessing some little musical taste, they will presently fit themselves to lead the congregation. If possible, they should include men of position and education, who, by their example, will induce others to join them. Their primary qualification, however, must be that they are devout men, willing to consecrate their powers to God's service; their second being that they possess, in a greater or less degree, inclination for the work. Upon this foundation the nucleus of a choir can be formed, and presently built up; and where is the parish which does not possess such material? Further progress is made by inviting the aid of boys, of whom I speak hereafter. All that is at first desired is to lay the foundation of a distinctly and devoutly said service. This being gained, the education of the choir begins, and a clear, outspoken, and musical utterance becomes general. The speaking in monotone, or upon one note, throughout the prayers, is the surest way of securing general response and oneness of expression-Oneness of utterance is a type of oneness of accord throughout the church. No authority can be cited for the polytonic. discordant sounds resulting from congregations speaking on different notes, and the general failure of this system proves its mistake. Whilst advocating choral services, let me be understood thoroughly to deprecate any part of it in which, being complicated and difficult, the people cannot easily join. Showy anthems and florid chants turn a choir into performers and a congregation into an audience. A cathedral service of modern times is the last thing to be imitated.

(2.) The introduction of the hymn on the solemn occasion of our Lord's celebration of the Holy Eucharist in the Upper Room, is evidence that the "Service of Song" was deliberately sanctioned by our Saviour- by His own most blessed practice and example. One of the special times at which music is most appropriate is in this service, where, now alas, it is so seldom

heard.

It is

There are few clergymen who would not confess that most of their troubles and worries come from their church choir. Instead of being a source of strength and comfort, the choir is, as a rule, a source of weakness and sorrow. determined, for instance, to possess an organised choir. A number of voices, chiefly those of boys, are brought together, and a selection is made rather on account of vocal powers than for other more important qualifications. In a very short time disappointment arises. The singing becomes worse and worse, discipline is weak, reverence in God's House is set at nought. The numbers diminish, and regret is felt at having embarked on so troublesome an expedition. The fault here committed is a double one, too much has been attempted, and the composition of the choir has been defective.

The question whether a choir should be voluntary or paid is important. The office of ministering in the House of God ought to be deemed an honour and a privilege; and the inquiry, "Am I worthy ?" ought to take precedence of every other. Comparatively few possess great ability wherewith to contribute towards church work, but all have some talents of one kind or of another. No offering can we bring to the service of the temple more suitable than nature's own gifts; and from as many of us as are endowed with the faculty of song, what tribute is more appropriate than this? Impressed with this feeling, there are few who would approach the office of a choirman as hirelings. Are we to receive everything from above, and give nothing in return-not even our poor vocal services on the Sunday and other days, or as often as circumstances permit? A paid choir, as a rule, is not a devout choir. Being mercenaries, they come for the pay, and not the performance of a religious act, in a religious spirit. To the clergyman they are an endless trouble, and as self-wili, (a characteristic of the age) is frequently predominant, their minister is too often their slave, instead of their leader and spiritual father.

Having obtained, as a foundation, the aid of one or more adults who offer their services from proper motives, by degrees boys may be added. Here care must be taken to choose those only who are looking forward in time to confirmation, and whose disposition and home associations lead to the belief that they may become future communicants; one leading rule of the choir, to which there is no exception, being that all its members, if of age, and when of age, shall be required to become such. Every village national shool possesses ample material from which to form a choir of boys, and each day a certain portion of the school time might be set apart for musical instruction, one or more classes being taken in turn where the arrangement of classrooms permits. It is only by this moans that the quality of each voice can be discovered. So far from proving a hindrance to general education, the practice of music in schools is found by experience to be of great value in developing the mind and sharpening the intellect. Vocal exercises obviously teach pronunciation; they present a contrast to other school work, and tend to produce a certain amount of life and energy in the school itself. The making of boys choristers simply because they can sing is a mistake. The primary reason should be that they feel it an honor to serve God in His House as Samuel did. And when they know that unworthy

behaviour will end in expulsion they will then value a position which is in itself a testimony in their favour.

The practice of the entire choir should take place at least once a week, and always under the superintendence of the clergyman. Inability to attend this, unless in exceptional cases, is a disqualification for the office of chorister. The men are supposed to possess trained voices, but as this is not always the case, they, too, should meet together for private practice, That of the boys should be separate, their first lesson being to speak distinctly and musically on one note, beginning with the Confession and Lord's Prayer, and then proceeding with the Creeds, Canticles, and Psalms. Care, of course, is taken that the note is sustained; this is done by keeping up the pitch to that of some instrument. After this the scales and other simple exercises may be gone through, by which alone purity of tone and the knowledge of notes can be obtained. The second half-hour should be given up to the preparation of the church service, and this preparation should especially embrace a pure pronunciation, a careful accentuation, and an expressive rendering of our incomparable Liturgy. Of course daily service makes the matter much clearer and easier; in fact, real excellence in choir work is scarcely attainable without daily service.

The school or private practice may embrace others than the choir themselves. The younger boys, or indeed any who indicate ability or have the desire, when qualified, to take part in the church services, should be allowed to join the class. A reserve force is thus formed from which recruits can be drawn when vacancies occur in the choir. The monotony of practice is relieved by the occasional introduction of rounds and catches, and of popular airs. One of the best methods of teaching the first lessons of music is by the use of a large black board. And it may be worthy of mention that the amateur teacher is not without his reward. Irrespective of the interest and pleasure of the work, the act of teaching is a means of instruction to himself.

During Divine Service the position of the choir is in the chancel, one-half of the voices being on one side and one-half on the other. These sides are termed "Decani" or the Dean's side, usually the South side, and "Cantoris" or the chanter's or precentor's, which is on the other side. The chanting should always be antiphonal both by choir and congregation. Where more than one row of boys exists the junior ones should be in front and the senior ones behind. Care must be taken that the voices balance, and that on no account the tenors and altos preponderate. Occasional singing in unison may be found desirable, and where there are many verses in a hymn, the last verse but one is effectively sung without any organ accompaniment. The offering up of a prayer in the vestry before or after the service is recommended by ancient usage. Such forms of prayer, I believe, are found in may of our old office books. The propriety seems beyond a doubt. Of course care must be taken that it does not degenerate into a mere form.

The spectacle of a trained choir, ministering in the face of the whole congregation trained, I do not mean only vocally, but devotionally, is of itself