ORGANS AND ORGANISTS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 455, 13 March 1909, Page 5

ORGANS AND ORGANISTS.

ADVICE BY BISHOP JULIUS. (BI TELEGEAfH—SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.) Christohurch, March 12. A little homily on organs and organists was given by Bishop Julius last evening at the ceremony of tho dedication of the now pipe organ at Woolston. In a great many churches, tlio Bishop said, it eeemed to bo forgotten that tho organist was one of tho worshippers, and ho was usually screened olf from view with a. railing and curtain. "I see. you have here, ho remarked, "one of those little abominable curtains, the only uso of which appears to be that the organist may go to sleep during tho sermon or prayers; I can't for tho life- of mo understand why an organist should stick to his seat all through tho service as if he were the ono individual in the congregation who had no more to do with the worship in the church than the metal pipes which ho controls." An organist, however, should not lead, but encourage and' assist the- congregation in the service of praise. The Bishop had had the pleasure of hearing many organists and choirs. He had heard somo wonderful voluntaries, and had waited with pleasurable anticipation for the hymns. Somo of the organists who had played these voluntaries could not play the "Old Hundredth" without making fifteen mistakes. They had practised tho voluntaries, but had never thought it necessary to play the hymns and chants ! through. His Lordship concluded with a : word of advice to organists: "Piny voluntaries ; play them nicely and sympathetically; but by all means (and this is of much more importance-! play tho hymns and chants ns ' ono who knows them, has prnrtised them, ' and feels' tho beauty of them."