Comments on: Review: Room 217 http://www.presbyterianrecord.ca/2010/02/01/review-room-217/ Tue, 07 Sep 2010 19:34:42 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Fraser McKee http://www.presbyterianrecord.ca/2010/02/01/review-room-217/comment-page-1/#comment-887 Fraser McKee Mon, 01 Feb 2010 22:42:04 +0000 http://www.presbyterianrecord.ca/?p=12626#comment-887 CHURCH MUSIC: The sub-note on the cover of the February "Record" struck an odd note: "Why The Music...No Longer Inspires," and the whole series in the issue was well done, indicating it cartianly can inspire. Maybe the problem is the selection of music? Now we're back to the old argument of the traditional vs. the new to gain potential newcomers. I know of few that come solely because the church has selected "modern" hymns; but know of several who left because the old ones have been dropped in lieu. Tough to prove, except the latter is indeed factual. So it's emphasis, one would guess. When I was working in Montreal in the late 1950's, Rev'd. Rawson of St. James United Church had lunch gatherings for some 60 businessmen, which included at least one of the well known cross-denominational hymns (plus a brief appropriate sermon and good lunch!) If he felt we were not singing his selection properly, he stopped us, pointed out our transgressions and began again.. forcefully! As the naval gunnery section said "GET IT RIGHT!!" In the spring there was an all-comers evening service, plus wives, and you ain't heard nothing (outside a Wales/England footba' match)until you've heard 250 or more Canadian men singing Cwm Rondda under his direction. "Guide me, oh Thou great Jehova" indeed!" And we were all there voluntarily, noon-time and that annual service. It's not what it is, but how it's used. Fraser McKee Glenview Presbyterisn, Toronto CHURCH MUSIC:
The sub-note on the cover of the February “Record” struck an odd note: “Why The Music…No Longer Inspires,” and the whole series in the issue was well done, indicating it cartianly can inspire. Maybe the problem is the selection of music? Now we’re back to the old argument of the traditional vs. the new to gain potential newcomers. I know of few that come solely because the church has selected “modern” hymns; but know of several who left because the old ones have been dropped in lieu. Tough to prove, except the latter is indeed factual. So it’s emphasis, one would guess.
When I was working in Montreal in the late 1950′s, Rev’d. Rawson of St. James United Church had lunch gatherings for some 60 businessmen, which included at least one of the well known cross-denominational hymns (plus a brief appropriate sermon and good lunch!) If he felt we were not singing his selection properly, he stopped us, pointed out our transgressions and began again.. forcefully! As the naval gunnery section said “GET IT RIGHT!!”
In the spring there was an all-comers evening service, plus wives, and you ain’t heard nothing (outside a Wales/England footba’ match)until you’ve heard 250 or more Canadian men singing Cwm Rondda under his direction. “Guide me, oh Thou great Jehova” indeed!” And we were all there voluntarily, noon-time and that annual service.
It’s not what it is, but how it’s used.

Fraser McKee
Glenview Presbyterisn, Toronto

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