Untitled

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3157, 1 April 1879, Page 3

I hats before me an original communication which illustrate? the " narrow religiousness " which dwarfs Christianity. A Saturday's concert had been announced for the benefit of the organ fund of a small and pooily supported suburban church. Then this is addressed by some persons (three of one family) to the minister :— "We see that amongst others a number of comic songs are to be given.' 1 (Awful enormity!) " JSTow, we cannot help feeling that it is inconsistent and disreputable to use such means as the singing of comic and other light and frivolous songs "for' the, purpose of raising money on behalf of a Christian church. . . Is the singing of comic and other frivolous songs on Saturday night a fitting preparation for the sacred engagements of the sanctuary on the following morning—the morning of the Lord's day ? " The minister was required "to refuse his sanction" to this profane entertainment. He explained that he had personally nothing to do with the concert alluded to—that he regretted that worldly expedients had to be resorted to to defray legal obligations, but that he placed the responsibility for this upon those who systematically withheld their pecuniary assistance. (Good blow, Mr Parson.) As to the secular concert, he said that if it resembled cne previously given, though the music was not strictly classical, many &f ngs were very touching ; that even the comic songs were innocent, and afforded, genuine amusement; and that the public behaviour was unobjectionable. Somehow I don't think the sour formalists got the best of this little encounter.—^Egles.