The Choir (1917)

Post date: Feb 01, 2014 7:42:37 PM

Extract from Parish Magazine of August 1917

THE CHURCH OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST, WATERINGBURY.

Vicar: Canon Grevile Mairis Livett, B.A,, Cantab., F.S.A.

Assistant Curate: The Rev. F. Maurice Richards, M.A., Cantab.

Churchwardens: Mr. Richard French and Dr. G. Southwell Sander.

Sidesmen: Messrs. A. Baker, C. B. Benfield, A. Longley, S. Head, George Cheesman,

George Head, — Whiffen, S. Hadlow and George Rogers.

Organist: Mr. E. A. Smith, A.C.P.

Sexton: Henry Martin.

Clerk: Mrs. H. Anderson, Old Road.

NOTES AND NOTICES.

For three or four Sundays the organ has not been available for the Church services, and the choir have sat in the chancel, Mr. Smith accompanying the singing with a harmonium kindly lent by Mrs. Flint. The choir have shown themselves to be a model of good behaviour. There has been nothing of that fussy whispering and handling of music-copies that in many churches that have east-end choirs is so destructive of reverence and devotion both in choir and congregation. And the position has proved favourable from a purely musical point of view. It is not to be wondered at that some members of the congregation have expressed a wish that the choir might be permanently placed in the chancel. I should like to take this opportunity, therefore, of saying that such a change cannot be made. When I first came to the parish I hoped that it might, but I soon realised the impossibility. There are two objections to it, either of which is fatal. The recent experiment proves that there is not sufficient room: with only two men, instead of our usual number of eight or nine in peace-time, and with an extra form in the central passage (which could not be made a permanent addition), the space is over-crowded; and no re-arrangement of the seating would overcome the difficulty. In the second place, it is quite impracticable, for the proper conduct of the music, to have the choir at the east end and the organ in the west end gallery; and there is no possibility of removing the organ to the east end, as there is no place there to receive it, while the suggestion of retaining the organ in its present position and connecting it by pneumatic tubes with a console for the organist seated in or near the chancel would entail the entire rebuilding of the organ and the prospect of continual trouble and expense afterwards. There are other reasons against the change, but I need not discuss them, for, as I have said, either of the two I have given is sufficient; and I hope, therefore, that the idea may be allowed to drop. What is really wanted, and is quite feasible apart from expense (some hundreds of pounds), is the rebuilding of the organ right across the west end of the Church, in the gallery, so that all its parts might be easily accessible for the purposes of tuning and repairs; and also the rebuilding of the gallery itself, at a slightly lower level, with its front brought forward some few feet, so that there would be room for the whole choir to be seated in front of the organ.

While in these strenuous days any idea of 'treats as usual,' as of many other forms of recreation and pleasure, is out of the question, no one will grudge the choir its recent excursion to Folkestone, of which Mr. Smith sends us the following account for publication. In face of the many other attractions of war-work activity Mr. Smith has found some difficulty in keeping the choir together, and it is right that he should be enabled to reward those boys who have stuck to their job:—

"On Wednesday, July 25th, the members of the Church Choir (with one exception) spent a pleasant day at Folkestone, this being the nearest seaside town it was possible to visit with the chance of spending any reasonable time by the sea. The party left by the 7 o'clock train, reaching Folkestone soon after 9, and did not have to leave until 8 p.m., when a quick train brought them home by 9.30. The weather at first was inclined to be wet, but eventually cleared and was as fine as could be desired. Some of the older boys had a bathe, but found the water very cold. All were greatly interested in the soldiers and the transport. Also an airship and large numbers of aeroplanes attracted considerable attention. The choirmaster (under military escort!) visited the Harbour Station to call on a former choirman, but found he was on holidays. Several visited Hythe in the afternoon and went to the fine old church there. Folkestone Parish Church was also visited during the day. Meals were provided at the "Central Cafe" very satisfactorily, considering the difficulties caterers have to contend with under existing conditions and laws. The choirmaster would like to thank all those who so kindly contributed to the fund for providing this day's excursion, which was more enjoyable probably this year from the fact that many had not had a day at the seaside for so long a time."

Another form of innocent relaxation, for children and adults, is being promoted by Mrs. Livett in the Garden Fete that she has announced for the 22nd inst. It is to include a Scouts Display, a Maypole Dance, a Baby Show, and Parades of decorated perambulators and bicycles, and representative Groups of war-work activity. The proceeds will be given to the Red Cross Funds. For further particulars we "must refer to the bill exhibited outside the Church Rooms.

On Sunday, August 5th, observed in churches as the anniversary of our entrance into the Great War, the collections in our church amounted to £8 odd, to be divided between the Church Army and the Y.MC.A. for their Huts. Special forms, issued "by authority," were incorporated into our Church Services. Evensong was preceded by a Memorial Service for Private James Edward Wells, Royal West Kent Regiment, who died of heat-stroke in Mesopotamia on July 11th, and for Private Albert Thomas Herbert, Duke of Connaught's Light Infantry, killed in action at Guillemont, Sept. 3rd, 1916, reported missing till last month. (On the previous Tuesday a Memorial Service was held for Private Charles Winter, 17th Royal Fusiliers, privately reported missing, but killed in action at Beaumont Hamel, Nov. 13th, 1916. We also regret to have to report the death of Robert Charles Ralph, King's Own Yorks Light Infantry, killed in action in France, July 17th, 1917).

*****

As we enter upon the fourth year of the war our papers are full of proofs of the responsibility of Germany for the war and of her duplicity in bringing it about. On July 4th, 1914, a Crown Council was held at Potsdam, under the presidency of the Kaiser, and attended by the Emperor of Austria, at which war against Russia and France was decided upon and preparations for mobilization were made. Secondly: On the eve of the outbreak, Russia was induced to mobilize her army by the receipt, from her Ambassador in Berlin, of a certain report purposely published in a leading Germany newspaper. The report was officially contradicted immediately it appeared, but the Russian Ambassador's telegram to inform his Government of the contradiction was purposely kept back by the German Government until the Russian Government had proceeded with their mobilization. The Germans then made that mobilization an excuse for declaring war against Russia. Thirdly: The Germans for years had been making preparations to invade France through Belgium, a country whose neutrality they, with England and France, had undertaken to preserve. In the German Parliament the Chancellor admitted the invasion of Belgium was "a crime," and said it was a necessity. The crime was excused by the assertion, falsely made, that they had knowledge that France had made preparations to occupy Belgium. Fourthly: On August 10th the Kaiser sent to the President of the United States, to throw dust in his eyes, a telegram full of lies and misrepresentation. It was written in the presence of the U.S. Ambassador, who has just published it. The worst of the lies was that our King had privately promised the Kaiser that England would not intervene in the event of a war on the Continent involving Germany, France, Russia, and Austria. (This lie needed no official denial. Our King is a constitutional monarch, the head of a democratic or self-ruling nation, and he governs, not by his personal will, but through his ministers representative of his people.)

These are examples of the kind of diplomacy that is adopted by military autocracies and which causes war. That is the kind of rule which the Allied democracies are determined to cut out of civilised life. Will they succeed? Will they succeed now? That depends entirely upon their proving themselves; able to submit to the necessary discipline, to the curtailing of personal freedom in order to achieve a larger freedom. Democracy is on its trial: will it stand the test? Germany is sorely wounded, but not yet rendered powerless; autocracy is scotched but not killed: the question is, will the elements of British democracy stick together in a single endeavour to reap the fruits of victory?

*****

The number of immigrant hop-pickers, "foreigners," will be small this year. We hope to carry on the dispensary for out-patients as usual, but we shall not open any coffee stalls, and the Club Room (Church Rooms) will be opened only for an hour or two, two or three evenings a week, and only for the purposes of letter-writing. Subscriptions pro rata will be asked for, and help in the Rooms welcomed.

*****

Rainfall in July : 4'60in.—A.L.