Service of Sacred Song.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2630, 13 June 1877, Page 2

Service of Sacred Song.

The Service of Sacred Song given in the Academy of"Music last night for the purpose of augmenting the funds of the Grahamstown Wesleyan Sunday School attracted a good audience, the front seats —which occupied nearly the whole body of the Hall —being well filled, also the gallery, while the pit was but indifferently patronised. For some time previous to 8 o'clock, the Thames Scottish Band played a number of airs on the balcony of the Academy, the strains of which were wafted by the stiff breeze then blowing all over the town. ; -.On the curtain being elevated, on the. stage a large number of performers presented themselves, but it wa,s remarkable that by far the .largest proportion of them ; could not properly, or Without danger+of injuring their feelings^ be termed "school children; "nevertheless the singing was none the worse on that account., Amongst: the singers we noticed several well-known ladies and. gentlemen of vocal talent. The proceedings commenced by the Rev.B. S. Bunn announcing himself as chairman (be did not give an introductory address —he said there was neither room nor occasion for it) and he called upon the Key. J. T. Hinton to offer up prayer, which he did. The Service of Song is well compiled, and contains some good airs. Pamphlets containing the whole service, that is, the hymns, chants and connective readings, were to be had, and those who possessed them could better appreciate the singing, as the singers (in keeping with the rule, and which is perhaps excusable) did not make it easy to distinguish the words. Throughout, the service was creditablysustained, and it would be rather inviduous to , pick out a few pieces as being better rendered than the rest, but perhaps the finest tunes were among the following:—"The Creator of the Earth " (grand chant), " Lights in the Firmament," " The Waters bring forth Fish," " The Creation of the Cattle," " God rested from His Labor," " Man in his Sovereign Dominion," "God is Love," and '* All God's Works are Good." The Rev R. Laishley ably read the connective readings, which were all well suited to the nature of the singing. Mr S. Meachem acted as conductor, and good assistance was given by the orchestra. The Service was brought to a close by the Chairman pronouncing the benediction and the singing of the " Doxology," and the audience seemed to have appreciated the Service of Song.