The Cultivation of Church Music

Abstract

Two accidents in combination must form my excuse for the present attempt to address you on so important a subject as Church Music. I was asked to read a similar paper at the recent session of the Church Congress at Newcastle. After my return in the middle of October, and while my mind was still occupied with the subject, our worthy Secretary inquired whether I could occupy a blank unexpectedly occurring in his arrangement of papers for the Musical Association. With great diffidence I inquired whether he thought an afternoon might be thus occupied, and he was good enough to say it was a “grand subject,” and would be acceptable. But I must disclaim any intention of going into any one of the practical parts of the subject, since to do so within an hour's compass, in a way worthy of this Association and of my audience, would be simply impossible. What I really wish to do is to put before you certain facts as regards the “Cultivation of Church Music” in England, with a proposal for a distinct step in advance, which I trust you may be disposed to encourage.