PSALM-SINGING EXTRAORDINARY.

Kumara Times, Issue 669, 19 November 1878, Page 3

PSALM-SINGING EXTRAORDINARY.

At Stokealey, in Yovkhshire, there lives a man who once assisted in sing. ing> the whole of the 119th Psalm. This feat, added to the fact that he is descended from a long line of gravediggers, has gained for him the respect of his fellow-townsman, oue of whom tells this Story. It see us that about sixty years ago the parson of thut parish thought it his duty to attend marriage-feasts, and the parish clerk thought it his duty to assist at chistening tea-parties. It so fell out that these two functionaries quarrelled, and the parson, scorning to do an unchristian act, one day commanded the clerk's presence only at an hour when he knew that certain tea-cakes and muffins would be at their best. The clerk saw the move, and determined on his revenge. Haviiig got the choir and band oil his side, on'a certain Sunday morning, when the parson had shortened his sermon in order to eat with Darby and Joan just married, instead of giving out part one of the 119th Psalm, the clerk gave out, " Let us sing t» the praise aud sory of God the 119ih Psalm,—all onV The parson, with his head on the pulpit cushion, for some time did toot notice what was going on, and by the time that he did the'musicians were fairly at work, and, in spite of all he could say or do, were not to be denied. Sometimes only one voice and one instrument could be heard,. but still the air was never lost. Th« fiddlers wore out their bows and strings, the flute player nearly blew out his front teeth, the clarionet never recovered its toue, and the singers all suffered more or less, but th«y kept it up to the bitter end*