NOT THE REAL THING

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 90, 13 October 1934, Page 5

NOT THE REAL THING

CHURCH. BROADCASTS

AN ORGANIST CRITIC

(Frpm "The Post's" Representative.)

LONDON, August 31,

Dr. J. H. E. Dixon, organist of tho Lancaster Eoman Catholic Cathedral, at Portsmouth, in a recent address, said:— .

. "You cannot broadcast a soul. Neither can you broadcast a soul's highest aspirations—and this is prayer. When a person communes 'with his Maker, all thoughts of broadcasting technique come as intrusions, to spoil his devotions. Therefore, prayer is one of the least suitable subjects for broadcasting.. Again, for similar reasons, prece3 and responses are also unsuitable; unless all ideas of sincerity are to ba ignored.

"The talks and sermons should reach a more positive level of instruction and encouragement thait the cold and neutral spirit of benevolence with which 8.8.C. religion seems to have identified itself. Do not let us regard a broadcast service as a substitute for the real thing. The real thing cannot be broadcast.

"Passive. 8.8.C. broadcast religion will empty our churches, as so much, passive listening-in has. emptied our concert halls and teaching studios. The 8.8.C. ought not to expect church officials to do the extra work entailed by a broadcast service without financial recompense Organists' salaries aro not on a., princely scale. The 8.8.C. is neither a charitable society nor a poor relation. It-receives sufficient public money to justify our asking them to consider the adequate payment of those who contribute to the programme. Many listeners to church services do not contribute to the polleetion but do contribute to the 8.8.C. This body should therefore, in. strict justice, mete out to the churches and their officers a fair share of the collection money."