quires and places where they sing," that side of the question must be considered. I ought to make it quite clear that the hymn tunes that I have written were only intended for trained voices. Many of these tunes have been already tested and sung in church by a well-trained choir. The music is, therefore, often purposely high-pitched, and often difficult, and the intervals are by no means invariably easy, but my experience has been that the more difficult a tune is, the better a good choir and an intelligent congregation will sing it.

Then can these hymn tunes be called congregational? That raises at once the vexed question of congregational singing. If people will practise them, they can sing them, but the parts certainly cannot be "put in" extemporaneously by the singer. A perfectly plain service, said throughout, is reasonable, intelligible and edifying; but there can be no half measures. If there is to be music at all in the worship of Almighty God, it must not be something inferior or practically worthless. Therefore it behoves congregations also, not only those who are engaged in leading the singing, to contribute their musical best. If people are going to sing by way of worship (and I am assuming that they do this not merely for the sake of hearing their own voices), let them practise the music first. It must not surely be said that " anything will do" in this connexion, and where people are capable of better things, a "bright, hearty" service is no excuse for offering to God that which costs them nothing. It has also struck me as being unfair on other people for an untrained singer to make his voice obtrusive in music more or less elaborate, without any practice beforehand, while the choir and others will only sing it after careful rehearsal. Naturally, there are certain parts of the service in which all may and should join heartily-the responses, for instance-but it is appalling to anyone with a musical ear to hear a droning vocal accompaniment to a hymn tune two octaves or so below the treble part, or to hear, as I have heard in cathedrals, ladies "singing second," i.e., singing thirds below the melody, often regardless of the key. Is that instinct very far removed from the strong desire that ofttimes impels people to join in a rousing

chorus? Is there not sometimes such a thing as silent worship? To such queries I do not pretend to give an answer, but in submitting these tunes now to a wider public, I put forward some explanations with the hope that they may carry conviction, and that the music may prove acceptable and useful, perhaps interesting. I feel very strongly that dull music can only be classed with ugly architecture and drab decoration; and that only the best, musically and artistically ought to be offered for the service of Almighty God. May He not be extreme to mark what is done amiss.

In conclusion, I wish to offer my sincere thanks to the following authors or owners of copyright, who, for the convenience of singers, have kindly allowed me to print the words with the music :-The Archbishop of Armagh, The Rev. S. Baring-Gould, Messrs. Burns, Oates & Co., J. E. Bode, Esq., The Rev. F. G. Ellerton, Mrs. M. F. Maude, Messrs. J. Nisbet & Co., Geo. H. Fellowes Prynne, Esq., The Rev. A. Havergal Shaw, Mrs. Thring, The Rev. Mother (S. Margaret's Convent, East Grinstead), The Rev. R. Hayes Robinson, The Rev. H. Walsham How, and last, but not least, The Proprietors of Hymns A. and M. Every endeavour has been made to discover the holders of copyright words. If any words in which copyright exists have been printed without permission, I ask for kind indulgence.

It only remains for me to thank cordially Dr. Frederick Karn for correcting the proofs, and for much kind help.

S. PETER'S VICARAGE,

LEE, S.E.

October, 1905.

It has not been thought necessary to print the music for the Amens to any of the hymns. These are intended to be sung as usual.

safely brought, Restored to life, and power, and thought.

ed d

New mercies, each returning day,
Hover around us while we pray;
New perils past, new sins forgiven,

New thoughts of God, new hopes of heaven.

If on our daily course, our mind

Be set to hallow all we find,

New treasures still, of countless price,

God will provide for sacrifice.

The trivial round, the common task,
Will furnish all we need to ask,
Room to deny ourselves, a road
To bring us daily nearer God.

Only, O Lord, in Thy dear love
Fit us for perfect rest above;
Aud help us, this and every day,
To live more nearly as we pray.

Amen.