Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), Monday 7 July 1884, page 6


ST. JOHN'S CHURCH, ASHFIELD.

A speclal service in connection with the dedication of the new organ recently imported from the maufactory of Messrs. Hill and Sons, the builders of the St Andrew's Cathedral organ and sundry others in the city and suburban churches, was held in the church on Saturday afternoon. Although the service was a choral one, the hymns and chants used were of the simplest congregational character, the only deviation being the rendering of Kent's noted anthem, "Thine, O Lord, is the greatness". Mr. T. Sharp, jun., the organist of the church, and formerly organist of St

Matthias', presided at the instrument, and one or two select pieces were played during the service, which to bring out its power and quality of tone. With the exception of a tendency to harshness in the reeds, which is usually the case in new organs, the tone is ad-mirable, the gamba, bourdon (pedal), and the violon-cello being exceedingly effective. The organ is a two manual one, the compass in each being from CC to G, 56 notes, and pedal compass CCC to F, 30 notes. The great organ contains open diapason, stopped diapason, dulciana, principal, wald flute, and fifteenth; on the swell open diapason, gamba, principal, flautina, mixture, three ranks, and oboe. The bourdon and violoncello are on the pedals. The whole number of pipes is 844, and the cost in London was £400 . A bout £130 has been expended in packing, freight, erection and illuminating of pipes. The Primate delivered an address at the conclusion of the liturgical portion of the service, and also read the dedicalion prayer used on these occasions. Basing his remarks on the second and third verses of the 14th chapter of Revelations, he referred at some length to the influence of music, which had been truly called the handmaid of religion. Combat-ting the assertion so often made, that the plainest and simplest music should alone be found in use in the sanctuary, he contrasted the present condition of church music with what was in use half a century ago. At that time music now so generally in use, not only in the Church of England but in other Christian churches, was never heard except in cathedrals and collegiate chapels. It was now found what a powerful auxilliary music was to divine worship. It was one of the highest arts given to man, and deserved to be dedi-cated in the most perfect way we are capable of to the praise of Him who gave it. The most liberal use of a thing often led to abuse; and the danger lay in making divine worship subordinate to music — in a word, our religion emotional by appealing to our tastes rather than to our humble devotion. As the day was also the anniversary of the founding of the church, the Bishop urged on those who had been in the habit of worshipping in it, as well as those whose connection had been more recent, to use these anniversaries in a retro-spective way and examine themselves as to how far they had truly dedicated themselves to God. During the singing of the offertorium, a collection was made in aid of the organ fund which was substantially augmented . There was a considerable number of the suburban clergy present, including the incumbents of Petersham, Enmore, Cook's River, and many other parishes. The church was well

filled.