JOH N CAMP BELL

IN THE TOLBOOTH C H U R C H F O ST G ILES, ED INBU R GH

T H E P A S S I N G O F THE P R EC ENTOR

B Y

D U NC A N FR A SER , P rece ntor t o the Umted Fr ee Chu rch Gen er a l Assembly

l I ’ THE EMPTY D ESK BOSTON S KI R K , , ‘ P hot o ra h d ’ ‘ J u n ( g e s ecwll for th l i book by r La r en . ) p p y ! , k u

E D I N B U R G H ! P U B L I S H E D A T

’ “ HA Y W . J . J OH N KNOX s HO U SE , B Y LOND ON ! SA MU EL BAGSTE R §ONs LIMITED

M C M V I s

P R EFACE

IN this little b ook the writer is well aware that he only touches the fringe Of a subj ect whi ch by - and - by may

His o is receive fuller treatment . h pe i el kee that , meantime , t may h p to p alive the memory of th e Old meth o d of Uptaking the Psalme until that time comes for , unless something regarding

e o n th Precentor is put record speedily , b o th the man and his work will soon be forgotten by a generation that has not been distinguished fo r valuing eithe r of em th too highly .

The craftsman of the Middle Ages , whose conscience called fo r the highest artistic skill in the unseen work rele PREFACE

as as gated to dark nooks , well in the work exposed to the glare of the su n and the gaze of the multi

was no t his tude , without counterpart

re ce n t o rh oo d in the ranks of the p , who wi ei r , th all th shortcomings and

mannerisms , did right loyal work in the days when musical taste and sen t ime nt ei r were at th lowest , alike in

pulpit and in pew . The portraits embodied in this work form a somewhat unique gallery of

musical celebrities , and the author tenders his warmest thanks t o the friends who placed the original photo

at graphs his disposal . To Mr J . M . B . of Free Taylor , Curator the Museum ,

his Paisley , thanks are also due for per

of R mission to copy the portrait . A . mi S th in that institution .

vi PR EFACE

Some o f the sketches in Part I I .

The We ekl Scotrma n appeared in y , and the writer acknowledges the courtesy of the proprietors of that j ournal in

ei r allowing th reproduction .

EDINBU R G H, I rt D ecembe r I 90 5

vii

CONTENTS

PA RT I

O LDEN-TI ME P R EC ENTI N G — U ptakin—g of the Psalm Order of the Service Reading the L ine —Time of — — D ecadence A Revival Scotland inte re st e d

PA RT I I P R EC ENTOR S A N D TH EI R WOR K m — — A . S it h J ohn J R . Templeton ohn W —D — L . H ilson avid Kennedy T . ately H — u J G e t c . T . M . nter oseph eoghegan , Type s of Country Precentors

PA RT III LI G HTS A N D SHA D OW S OF P R EC ENTI N G — The D e sk - The G o n Innovations — w — The Band Personal Traits A mateur Pre ce nt ors

PA RT IV

CON C LU SION The Power of Psalmody—The Old Order change t h

ix ’ Tm! frontispiece is reproduced from Kay s E ” l dinburgh Portraits , and depicts the we l k - u - nown non ch rch goers of the day listening , in the Tolbooth Church (portion of St E D r A x W — dinburgh , to le ander ebster the A s most evangelical preacher of the day . the Ka J precentor, y selected for his model ohn Canon at e Campbell of the g Church , a notable teacher of music in the city . Campbell was a Te nducci favourite pupil of the celebrated , who , ’ on leaving the city, had Campbell s portrait engraved and presented to his circle of patrons, k thus establishing Campbell , without his now H . e ledge , as his successor was for twenty five Canon at e years precentor in the g Church , and Burns was a frequent guest at his table . It was through Campbell that Burns sec ured permission for the erection of the tombstone F e to Robert ergusson the po t . POR TR AITS

C MPBE P of Canon at e C A LL , recentor the g hurch ’ in St Giles (qft e r Kay) Fr ont irpieee

’ TH E D ESK B ST N S CH U C H ETT I CK , O O R , R Vig net t e on

R OBERT ARC H I BALD SM I TH Fa cing P ag e

JOHN TEMP L ETON

JOHN WI LSON

D AV I D KENNED Y

THOMAS LEG ERW OO D HATELY

TH MA HU NT ER O S M .

D A V I D STEP H EN

W I I I E LL A M M . M LL R

D AV I D TAYLOR

LuDOVI c GRANT SAND I SON

xi

The

Pa ssin g O f t h e Pre c e nt o r

THE of passing the Scottish precentor ,

View it how we may , is not without an element of pathos ! it affects o ne like

of or the removal an ancient landmark ,

Of was the end an auld sang , as said of o f the Union the Crowns . And such things appeal to the Scottish nature ; fo r of , alongside his sterner character ist ics o f , there has ever lain a vein senti ment in the Scot , like the red thread that is spun into the thickest rope o f R the oyal Navy . Before viewing the precentor under the lights and shadows which o ur ar THE PASSING OF THE PRECENTOR rangement o f the subject may cast upon S fi him , it is necessary that we hould rst glance briefly at the Offi ce and the Offi cial as they are to be seen at the

Of fi time their rst institution .

ORD ER OF T HE SERV I CE In the Presbyterian Church of Scot

at land , and for many years after the R eformation , public worship was divided into two parts . fi R The rst part consisted of eading , Praise and Prayer and the end of each of these exercises was intimated by the

o f ringing the kirk bell . It was not until after the third bell that the minister ascended the pulpit and the sermon began . ’ “ In Knox s Directory o f Public ” Worship we can only fi nd mention THE PASSING OF THE PRECENTOR made of two places where a psalm was to be sung ; but when we remember that singing occupied one third o f the time given to the fi rst part of the ser it vice , can easily be seen that music occupied an important place in the early Church worship . The name given to the leader of the singing in public worship at this time ” U ta eer the P sa /me was that of p of . This Offi ce was conjoined in many in “ ” Of R ea der stances with that the , and in others with that o f the teacher of “ ” ‘— the Sang Scu le a very important institution in Scotland in those days . From a record Of the “ Burgh o f C an o n at e 1 8 we g , Edinburgh , 5 4 ,

1 Sir Edward Henderson was the Master of the Sang e E S ule of dinburgh at the time of the Reformation , hav 1 ing been appointed in 5 5 3 by the Town Council . THE PASSING OF THE PRECENTOR se e how the offi ces were often c on j oined . “ The q u hilk day the bailies and c o unsall has appointed and ag re e it with Walter Bro nne to serve in the kirk in reading the prayers , Uptaking Of the

P salme s , and serve as ane Clerk in the S i ” e ss o une .

In the Second Book of Discipline , “ ” 1 8 1 Psalme s 5 , the Takers up Of are twice mentioned in the list of classes entitled to receive a share of the re venues Of the Kirk That this share was not burdensome can be gathered by referen ce to many Town Council or K - R irk Session ecords . Thus “ 1 Aberdeen Burgh , 5 7 7 . The said

! rant id o f day , the counsel g the sum four pu ndis t o the support of James

S mso une do ct o u r Scuill y , of their Sang 6 THE PASSING OF THE PRECENTOR

— clo t his fo r his to help to by him , guid service the tym bygane , and in houp of his continuance in tym to ” com . Or Glasgow Kirk - Session R ecords fo r 1 604 H e that taks up the line in the ” K 2 0 High irk to get merks quarterly .

1 d 1 5 d . (A merk was 3 . 4 . Scots , or 3§ o f the present day . ) Also from the same R ecords

and A sark a bonnet , and after

a wards coat , to be bought to him that K ” carries up the line in the High irk . “ 1 6 2 1 u hilk Stirling , . The q day

bre t he rin de s ir o f the of the kirk , at y

C o unc e ll the Magistrates and , consentis

M u sit ion e r to give David Murray , , for uptaking of the psalme in the kirk and teaching of ane musick school in THE PASSING OF THE PRECENTOR

this toun , xx merk yearly during his ” service . Extracts like the foregoing are to be met with in abundance in Dr Living

’ st on s beautiful reprint Of the 1 6 3 5

Scottish Psalter , to which we would refer anyone interested in a far-Off view of the monetary value of an Uptaker of the Psalme s in the early Church of R the eformation . The fi rst time that we fi nd the term Precentor applied t o the leader of psalmody in the Scottish Church is in a Minute o f the Glasgow Kirk- Session

1 6 Of 5 3 , which says ’ TO the precentor a quarter s salary o f 2 6 1 pounds , 3 shillings , and four ’ pence ! and to a year s precenting in ” the outer kirk , pounds . As a pound Scots is of the value of 8

THE PASSING OF THE PRECENTOR

M u SIc Teacher of , shall sing in the High Kirk from the ringing o f the

’ fi t o rst hell , the minister s coming in ; and appoint four men to sit beside

him , beneath the pulpit . In the year following there is an other Minute That the sang st e rs in toun sing with ” o n Mr William Struthers Sunday .

san st e rs o r These g were assistants , district teachers o f music in connection

Scule With the Sang . There is a greater advance towards the development of the “ band ” to be seen in a R ecord of the Stirling Kirk Session o f 1 6 2 1 An alteration of the pulpit and the R eader ’s lectern had been

C o uncIl agreed to , and the Town direct those in charge of the work to see That they mak commodious se at t is

I O THE PASSING OF THE PRECENTOR

fi t fo r about the thereof, meit the maister of the Sang Scule and his

sit o n of bairns to , for the singing the psalme s in the t yme of the h olie ser ” vice Of the Kirk . In a Minute Of the General Kirk of ” Edinburgh of 1 5 7 4 we get a glimpse Of one of those little family t ifi s that sometimes arose between Kirk—Sessions

P salme and the Uptaker of the . The Kirk o rdanis Edward H ender

salme s soune and his sonne , to sing the p on the preaching days in sic touns as me K ” are maist column ( ) for the irk . Later on we meet with another instance “ 1 6 1 Edinburgh , 9 . Mr Patrick

H e nriso n e , reader , being summoned ,

compeered before the Hie Commission . H e was accused for absenting himself I I THE PASSING OF THE PRECENTOR

Owne o n from his place Christmas day , and placing another in his ro u me to tak

salme up the p . An act was made that

he should be deposed , if he did the like hereafter —against which act he ” protested . This H e nriso n e seems t o have been

of an independent type precentor , for a few years later we read of him being finally deposed because he would not — use the Church Service Book on it s

introduction . w From the foregoing extracts , as ell

as from other sources , we are warranted in believing that the Uptaker of the

P salme K in the early Scots irk , whether ” e he was Maister of the Sang S ule , “ o r Lettergae , or simple Sangster ,

was or all combined , a singularly com

ffi wh o his petent O cial , did work faith

1 2 THE PASSING OF THE PRECENTOR fully according to his knowledge and the requirements of the time .

Moreover , there is abundant evidence to show that psalmody was an import ant element in Scottish Church life until the time o f the Westminster

Assembly , when it , and the precentor t o o , got a serious check by the impor t at io n from England o f the custom of

EA T HE I E R DING L N .

It is an old story now Of how the

Scots longed for , and were willing to sacrifi ce much on behalf o f a Universal

Presbyterian Church . This attitude accounts for many Of the transactions of

of D i the Westminster Assembly iv nes , which otherwise would be inexplicable . One Of the enactments Of this me mo r able Assembly runs as follows I S THE PASSING OF THE PRECENTOR

fo r That the present , where many

Of is the congregation cannot read , it convenient that the minister o r some other fi t person appointed by him and the other ruling offi cers do read the psalm , line by line , before the singing ” 1 thereof. The Scots Commissioners resisted this proposal most strenuously , thinking it a reflection upon the intelligence and education of their people ; but e v e nt u

o f ally , for the sake peace and uni formity , they acquiesced in the change . The Scots custom of using doxologies “ or, as they were called , conclusions , had to be given up at the same time , although , again , the Scots Commis sio ne rs strove hard to preserve their “ ancient custom , Calderwood saying I

1 Here we see the ludicrous effect of lit e r a l interpretation . 1 4 THE PASSING OF THE PRECENTOR entreat that the doxologie be not laid aside , for I hope to sing it in Heaven .

was fo r But this not all , in this craze fo r uniformity the old versions of the psalms had to go also , their place being eventually fi lled by the version of R 1 Frances ous . The Scots people were at first very bitterly opposed to these changes , viewing the introduction of the “ read 1 Baillie and several of the other Scottish Commis sione rs to the Westminster A ssembly of D ivines in 1 64 3 were strongly opposed to Rous ’s version of the Metrical ’ R owallane s Psalms , preferring and other Scottish poetical paraphrases to that of the English rhymster ; but t heir J 1 6 scruples were overcome , and in anuary 5 4 the Scottish Committee of Estates ratified its amen ded form for use in E public worship ; while the nglish congregations , for whom it was really intended , neglected it , and even treated it I d with scorn in many instances . t is still treate with ridicule by many English people ; but it ought to be re membered that it was in deference to English wishes that x the Scottish Church accepted this version , at the e pense of more delightful native effusions . I S THE PASSING OF THE PRECENTOR

ing of the line with special aversion , as being not only unseemly , but an insult t o b - their better education . Yet y and by , as interest in praise declined through apathy and neglect , and by the degrad ing mannerisms that crept into the service , succeeding generations began to look upon the habit of reading the line ” as a good old custom peculiar to — Scotland alone a heritage to be dearly prized , and , if need be , to split churches rather than be given up There is n o doubt that the changes to which we have referred , along with almost universal clerical apathy , did much to injure the musical part of Pres b t e rian y worship in Scotland , and it took the better part of the following century to recover from the blow inflicted by these and other adverse influences .

I 6

THE PASSING OF THE PRECENTOR ! valley below , and lo shortly , there springs up upon your right hand and your left , from the verdant mountain side , pellucid fountains that will not be denied freedom t o discharge their heaven-appointed mission

o u r So people , denied an outlet for their musical sentiments in the Church , had t o seek for it in secular song ; n o r

fo r did they seek in vain , it is remark able that when Church music in Scot

was land at its lowest ebb , national song and lyric poetry were at full tide , com prising amongst its forces not only the fi R proli c genius of Allan amsay , James

o f Thomson , William Hamilton Ban R gour , and obert Fergusson , but such a flood Of musical sentiment as that ex pressed by the minstrelsy of the Jacobite movement .

I 8 THE PASSING OF THE PRECENTOR

A REVIVA L

H appily , there were potent influences at work which by-and-by led to a re l v iv a of Church music all over Scotland . “ The Musical Society of Edinburgh ”

had much to do with this change .

1 2 8 Formed in 7 , for more than seventy years it took the lead in musical matters

not only in Edinburgh , but in all the

principal towns of Scotland . In the R ’ late obert A . Marr s excellent book , “ ” Music for the People , there is a most interesting account given o f the work done by this Society ; and all who wish to se e the high point to which musical taste and performance had at t ain e d in Edinburgh early in the eigh t e e nt h century will be highly gratified

of by a perusal this work . Another factor in the progressive I 9 THE PASSING OF THE PRECENTOR

movement of this time may be ascribed

o f to the genius H andel , whose fame

had early spread northward , and whose

choral works , with their sacred themes , were making a deep and lasti ng impres sion upon the religious world .

As might have been expected , the Church could not but feel in time the stress of the musical forces which kept beating against her walls , and we begin to meet with evidence that she realised something must be done to bring her self more into line with the improved musical sentiment of the people . “ of Cornforth Gilson , a chorister

Durham Cathedral , came to Edinburgh in 1 7 5 6 as master o f music in the city churches . The appointment arose out of an Act of the Town Council dated

2 6t h 1 re November 7 5 5 , when it was THE PASSING OF THE PRECENTOR

t o solved that , owing the very indecent and offensive way in which Church

’ was music performed , a master well skilled both in the theory and practice of Church music should be immediately ” employed to teach in the city . The scheme was comprehensive , and aimed at giving everyone an opportunity o f learning to read music . With this in view , several schools were opened and conducted by precentors or teachers com petent for the work , the whole being under the direction of Mr Gilson . Glasgow was also moved by the

fo r we The rising sentiment , read in Mer cury of 2 2 nd November 1 7 5 6 the following notice “ of By order the Magistrates . To encourage and promote t h e improve ment of Church music , the Magistrates

2 1 THE PASSING OF THE PRECENTOR have directed Mr Moor to open a free

’ o n school in H utcheson s Hospital ,

’ 2 2 n d Tuesday the inst . , at seven o clock

of in the evening , when the inhabitants the city will be admitted and taught at

on the public charge , their producing proper certifi cates of their character from the mIn Ist e r and elders of the ” parish where they reside . Aberdeen and other towns also came under the influence of the revival ; and had the Church Courts been as anxious to bring about improved singing as the

we no t Civil Courts were , might have

o had s long to wait for better times . Coming t o the beginning of the

fi n d nineteenth century , we that there was a considerable increase of the

musical societies of Scotland . The per fo rmance of the choral works of Handel

z z THE PASSING OF THE PRECENTOR and other composers by the Edinburgh Musical Society had made it necessary that professional singers from the Eng

as lish cathedrals , as well from the Epis copal churches in Edinburgh , should be engaged in order t o adequately render them . But a knowledge of music was now spreading amongst the wealthier classes of society , and the larger towns were feeling themselves less dependent upon Edinburgh and London for artistes to enable them to perform the works of the great masters . The choral societies which sprang into existence at this time usually began with psalm tunes and simple anthems .

The reason for this , doubtless , lay in their lacking confi dence to try loftier flights ; but underneath it there was also the conviction that there was little 2 3 THE PASSING OF THE PRECENTOR hope for success unless the clergy were propitiated . There is something almost pathetic in the kind of inarticulate cry for better Church praise which came from all who laid any claim to the po s

of session musical taste at this time .

Fo r 1 8 1 0 instance , in the Edinburgh ” was Church Music Society formed , the object being “ the improvement in the principles and practice o f vocal

1 8 1 Church music . Then in 4 a public meeting was held in the City Chambers

was of Edinburgh , when it resolved to “ establish the Institution o f Sacred

Music . The objects were generally stated to be “ the instruction of singers in Church music and oratorios , with the view of improving the musical se r vice in the various churches in the city . 2 4

THE PASSING OF THE PRECENTOR

’ “ ” H ullah s fi fruits . xed doh system ,

’ o r rather Wh e lim s system espoused by

H ullah e v e nt u , had to be pushed , and

’ C u rwe n s ally dropped . easy , cheap , and true Tonic Sol-fa system had to spread over the land , and show the staff singer the beauty and simplicity “ ” — of the movable doh thus open “ ing up a new era , when singing for the million ” became not only a possi bilit y, but an accomplished fact . A glorious consummation surely but before all this came about the precentor was faithfully doing good work , with

meagre materials , and amid depressing

surroundings .

26 PAR T II

PRECENTORS AND THEIR WORK

RO BERT A RC H I BA LD SMITH (Fro m a P rin t in P ars ley M useu m )

PRECENTORS AND THEIR WORK

of Although the child Scottish parents , Smith was born in 1 7 8 0 in the town of R eading , Berkshire , whither his father

of had gone from Paisley , the trade silk weaving , at which he worked , being dull in the latter place . Smith ’s musical gifts early asserted themselves , and when very young he had taught himself to play on the flute and the violin . His ear was more than usually acute , and as a boy he accus t ome d himself to note down every bit i of melody that came into h s memory . This habit served him well when in later years he was preparing his great work , The Scottish Minstrel .

’

Smith s family returned to Paisley . in 1 8 0 0 and here it was that young “ R o f . A . made the acquaintance

o f Tannahill , the setting whose song , 3 0 PRECENTORS AND THEIR WORK

’ ’ Flow r fi Jessie , the o Dunblane , rst made him known to the world as a musical composer . But we should have to traverse a wider fi eld than pre ce nt ing implies were we to speak of

’ Smith s secular compositions . They are as varied as they are numerous , f and beauti ul withal . Smith was appointed precentor in

of 1 8 0 the Abbey Church Paisley in 7 .

sh Being somewhat y and very sensitive , every appearance he made in “ the desk ” caused him more anxiety and perturbation than even his most in timate friends were aware of, and it was long before he could face his Sun day duties with comfort . Working away , however , with all his might , he soon got together a well - trained ” “ band , which made the soft sing 3 1 PRECENTORS AND THEIR WO R K ing of the Abbey Kirk famous all over the west of Scotland . The work Smith was doing in Paisley soon reached the ear o f D r Andrew

’ o f Thomson , the minister St George s ,

Edinburgh , who was himself an excel f lent musician , and , a ter permission had been given by the Town Council , the worthy Doctor and his session invited R . A . to become their precentor . f To the metropolis , there ore , he came in 1 8 2 3 and from that time a new era began in Church music . It would be impossible to speak too highly

’ of Smith s varied gifts and his industry . i Teach ng music from morn till night , he yet found time to write sacred and secular music that might have taken the

of whole time any man . In psalmody , the “ Sacred Music for St George ’s 3 2 PRECENTORS AND THEIR WORK

Church , which he wrote along with

his minister , is an excellent book ; and “ “ such tunes as Invocation and St

’ ” George s , Edinburgh will hold their own as long as the spirit of psalmody

lives in the Presbyterian Church . But it was “ Sacred Harmony for the ” Church of Scotland that made Smith ’s name a household word all over the land . Many psalters have come and gone since “ Sacred Har ” fi mony rst saw the light , but it still commands respect on account of it s excellence as a high -class compendium of praise . Then there were the “ Congrega ” t ional Anthems . These were the sheet-anchor of singing classes fo r more than half-a-century ; and happy indeed was the precentor and choir about the C 3 3 PRECENTORS AND THEIR ! WORK

“ sixties when ‘ they could give a public concert at which they rendered H ow beautiful upon the Mountains ’ “ ’ ”

R . or The Earth is the Lord s , by A .

Smith . To the universal regret of his church and the community this talented pre

c e n t o r 1 8 2 and composer died in 9 , in the mid- time of his days and the full

of f flood his popularity and use ulness . Beautiful tributes were paid to him by

his was Press and Church , and name long affectionately cherished by all who

his h of knew wort . Paisley is proud

as Smith , , indeed , it is of all its eminent — — sons and its claims are many and h as in its museum his violin and many o f

his manuscripts . A few years after Smith ’ s death a stranger was standing beside “ Mons 3 4 PRECENTORS AND THEIR WORK

Meg in Edinburgh Castle , evidently delighted with the grand scene pre sented by the city and its su r

roundings . A gentleman addressed “ ! him , remarking A splendid town , ” On Edinburgh . which the stranger

looked at the speaker a moment , and “ ° Oh said , guid enough ; but , tell me t hiS ° What wad it be wit h o o t Paisley ! fi How so said the rst speaker .

’ ’ Weel , ye see , it s no that I m

’ ’ a Paisley man mysel ; but d ye se e C ! the ollege Weel , Professor John Wilson ’s a Paisley man ! And d ’ye ’ K R ! . see St George s irk Weel , A .

’ o t Smith was the precentor . And tell ”

me this , he concluded triumphantly , Whaur wad yer singin ’ hae been had he no ’ cum ’ frae Paisley ! 3 5 PRECENTORS AND THEIR WORK

JOHN TEMPLETON

wh o John Templeton , became known to the world as one o f the most famous

of his his vocalists time , began musical career as precentor in a Secession church in Edinburgh , of which the minister was of Dr Brown , the father the author “ ” of R ab H is and Friends . Temple ton ’s connection with the Seceders

1 8 2 2 began in , when he was j ust twenty years of age ; but in spite of his his was se t youth voice well , and its beautiful tenor quality drew large numbers o f strangers t o the church t o hear such precenting . The psalm tunes o f those days were not like those of the present , syllabic chorales , but were florid and melodic ,

as sa and , the older precentors used to y ’ They gied your v ice a chance . 3 6

PRECENTORS AND THEIR WORK

JOHN TEMPLET ON

John Templeton , who became known to the world as one of the most famous

his his a vocalists of time , began music l career as precentor in a Secession church

in Edinburgh , of which the minister

was Dr Brown , the father of the author “ ” His of R ab and Friends . Temple

’ ton s connection with the Se ceders

1 8 2 2 was began in , when he j ust twenty y e ars of age ; but in spite of

his his was se t youth voice well , and it s beautiful tenor quality drew large numbers o f strangers to the church to hear such precenting . The psalm tunes of those days were

e e not like thos of the pres nt , syllabic

and e odic chorales , but were florid m l , a as o se t o sa nd , the older precent rs u d y ’ v ce They gied your ice a chan . 36 JOHN TEMP LETON

PRECENTORS AND THEIR WORK Templeton made the most of his ” t o chance , and soon was advised

-sin make solo ging his profession . There was much head - shaking amongst the worthy Seceders when their young pre ce nt or resolved to go to London and study music with a View to operatic

his singing ; but study he did , making

fi n 1 rst appeara ce on the stage in 8 2 8 . His career as the leading tenor in opera was brilliant , and his association with M alabran and other great artistes brought him fame and fortune . B ut opera alone did not absorb his talent he also gave splendid ballad con

His certs and musical lectures . beauti ful singing of Scottish songs was o n e of the most memorable features of his con certs ; and it is as a brilliant exponent of the songs of his native land that he 3 7 PRECENTORS AND THEIR WORK doubtless owes his medallion memorial at the south—west side of the Calton

of Hill , Edinburgh , beside those Wilson K and ennedy . Templeton retired from public life fi when little more than fty years of age , and thus escaped the awful sense of waning power which so often makes

of the lives eminent singers painful . H e enj oyed the esteem of hosts of

re devoted friends , and died much

re t t e d so 1 8 8 6 g , recently as I st July , in — his eighty fourth year . Here are two precenting incidents in

’ Templeton s life , which , so far as we

v . know , have ne er been recorded

is It told that , after he had become

fi da famous as the nest tenor of the y, he returned to Edinburgh for a short

of on holiday , and made a point calling 3 8 PRECENTORS AND THEIR WORK

— o ld D r Brown his minister , then in

Broughton Place Church . In the course o f their conversation

Oh o hn Dr Brown said , J , I wish you ” would give us a day in the desk . Templeton at once cordially complied with the request , but stipulated that the arrangement should be kept quiet . Whether it was owing to the birds of o r the air , some equally unusual

agency making the matter known ,

does not appear , but when Templeton “ entered the desk the church was

crowded to the door . The service

began by Dr Brown giving out a psalm , to which the famous singer took the grand double common metre tune called ” St Matthew . Those who know this tune will recall that the fi rst part

is grand and inspiring , opening in C 3 9 PRECENTORS AND THEIR WORK

is Major . The second part equally

fi ne , modulating into A Minor . The

t wo last lines return to the original key ,

fi o f and nish with a ring triumph . As Templeton soared through the

his varying modes with beautiful voice , the congregational singing gradually

off fell until , when the second stanza was was reached , not a voice heard

o r from the pews , emotion , something

t o akin it , bringing an impressive still ness over all . When the prescribed number of verses had been sung , but before

Templeton could shut the book , Dr

B rown leaned over the pulpit , and

his in kindly voice , touched with “ o emotion , said Just g on , John j ust go on Ye s when voice and tune and spirit 40

PRECENTORS AND THEIR WORK

by the farmer and his family , the storm stayed singers found the eve ning pass pleasantly away . When the hour for retiring to rest

wad drew near , the farmer said they ’ tak the Book . The foreign artistes

n o t did at once understand , but Tem

le t o n p did .

What psalm he asked . ’ ’

Oh we d 1 0 rd. , better tak the 3

So , having handed round books , the farmer began the psalm to the tune of ” o f Coleshill . The family had most the singing to themselves in the fi rst m verse , when suddenly the walls see ed

of to open , and such a burst harmony filled the room as farmhouse never

heard before nor since . Next morning as the strangers were leaving they proffered some acknow 4 2

JOH N W I LSON

PRECENTORS AND THEIR WORK ledgment for the hospitality that had been shown them . “ ” What , said the farmer , gie money to u s ! I dinna ken wha ye ’ if ’ ’ are , but I m far wrang we ve no been entertaining angels unawares .

JOHN WI LSON f John Wilson , a amous precentor ,

was but a still more famous artiste , born

1 8 00 at Edinburgh in . Like many other singers , he began life as a printer , but while learning his trade he also

o f worked hard at the study music . He early became a member of the

of D u ddin st o n choir g Church , but soon after was appointed precentor of R o x burgh Place R elief Church Here he won golden opinions for his fi n e Sing

of ing , his voice being remarkable 43 PRECENTORS AND THEIR WORK — compass , from B to B in Alt two

o f octaves pure tenor quality . Wilson

n ot R did stay long with the elief folk , fo r in 1 8 2 5 we fi nd him appointed to

’ St Mary s Established Church , and also leaving his trade , and devoting himself wholly to the teaching of music . While teaching others he still worked hard to improve himself, taking lessons in Singing from the best teachers in

Edinburgh and London , and studying harmony and counterpoint with eminent masters . It is little wonder that such an industrious and talented musician

his should have made precenting famous , and have drawn large crowds t o his church . I n January 1 8 3 0 Wilson left St

’ fi t o be Mary s , having nally resolved

of come a public singer . In March 44

PRECENTORS AND THEIR WORK

1 8 2 mouth Castle in 4 , Wilson had the 1 honour of Singing before her . Tours by concert companies were common

’ at this time ; and Wilson s were famous , visiting all the chief towns in this country , and also those of America , not a very easy matter in those days . When in ! uebec in 1 8 49 Wilson went angling one day , and got so soaked

with rain that he took a chill , from

which he never recovered , dying there

of - in the month July , in his forty ninth

year . There must hav e been something very magnetic about Wilson ’s personal

ity . We have more than once spoken

1 On W this occasion , after ilson had sung the songs H e r chosen by the ! ueen from his list , Majesty said “ There is a song which is not on your list that I should k ‘ W ’ li e to hear . Can you sing ae s me for Prince ’ W Charlie ilson , fortunately, could sing it, and did ’ so, much to the ! ueen s delight . 46 PRECENTORS AND THEIR WORK to some old friends about certain Singers o f ou r Scottish songs , and have had commendation cut short by the remark “ I ’ve heard John Wilson In a London drawing-room a lady was singing a Scottish song very nicely fi indeed . At the close of the rst verse an elderly gentleman was observed to

leave the room , and was heard later on to frankly give as his excuse I ’ve heard John Wilson sing that song I t is a

’ pity that the o ld gentleman s hero wor

ship made him forget his manners . Th e late Sheriff Watson of Aberdeen remarked to the writer that he had asked Wilson how it was that his songs were f always so resh , although he must have

o f sung many them a hundred times . “ Wilson replied ! It is just because I

have sung them a hundred times . 4 7 PRECENTORS AND THEIR WORK

” sir D o you not know , , he continued , we never enter a town where we are to give a concert at night but we have a full rehearsal of o u r pro

gramme , although we may have given every item at a concert the night ” before .

was h A true artist Jo n Wilson , whether as precentor in a R elief kirk — o r as fi rst tenor at Covent Garden one who knew there was no royal road to success save the somewhat toilsome one of taking pains .

D A VID KENN EDY Another notable precentor in Edin K burgh was D avid ennedy , the famous

Scottish vocalist . Before coming to the metropolis he had been a precentor

his i in nat ve city , Perth , where his 48 DAVI D KENN EDY ( Fro m a phot o ra h b C e g p y mak , W e! PRECENTORS AND THEIR WOR K

” sir Do you not know , , he continued , we never enter a town where we are to give a concert at night but we have a full rehearsal of our pro

gramme , although we may have given every item at a concert the night ” before .

was A true artist John Wilson , whether as pre cen t or in a R elief—kirk or as fi rst t e nor at Cov en t Garde n one who knew there was no royal road to success save the so mewhat toil some one of taking pains .

D A VI D KENNEDY

Another not able precentor in Edin b was a K e s urgh D vid enn dy , the famou

a B f e i Scottish voc list . e or com ng to the metropolis he had be en a precentor DAVI D KEN N EDY

' Fr o m a hot o r a h b ( p g p W. Cm ake Edmé y , u rg lz)

PRECENTORS AND THEIR WORK

with the cheery remark No , no , let ’ him stay ; h e s n ot a bit too young ; he ’ll maybe be a precentor yet —wha

as kens A prophetic remark , it

turned out . But precenting had to give way to

of the fascination the auld Scots sangs , and the Scot at home and abroad g o t what the Church lost We learn from K ’ ennedy s memoirs , however , that the improvement o f the musical services of the Church was a matter he had

on his always at heart , and that long and arduous tours through Canada he would lead the psalmody in the two

o n Presbyterian kirks Sunday . Kennedy ’ s admiration for Templeton

his and Wilson , two great predecessors as o f al exponents Scottish song , has ways seemed t o u s a very beautiful 5 0 PRECENTORS AND THEIR WORK

his feature in character, and his kind ness in restoring and making arrange ’ ments for the upkeep of Wilson s tombstone in ! uebec Churchyard is in the highest degree noble . David

K 1 8 8 6 ennedy died at ! uebec in , greatly mourned by Scotsmen in all

of parts the world . We confess that we have always been most impressed by the marvellous pluck and industry of Templeton ,

K ad Wilson , and ennedy , even while mitting and admiring their talent .

The heights to which some men have reached Were not attained by sudden flight But they , while their companions slept , W ” ere toiling upward in the night .

THOMA S LEG ERWOOD H A TELY was - another notable printer musician . SI PRECENTORS AND THEIR WORK

In early life he was a member of R ’ . A . Smith s choir , and afterwards held the offi ce of precentor in North

’ Leith and St Mary s (Edinburgh) Es

t ablishe d churches . At the Disruption in 1 8 43 he left

the Established Church , and led the singing at the fi rst Free Church — General Assembly continuing to do so at each Assembly fo r twenty-three

years . He is distinguished for the com position of several popular Church tunes and as a successful teacher o f

was congregational classes . He held in high esteem by all wh o knew

him . His death took place in 1 8 67 3

1 A s Mr Walter Hately intends writing at length re ’ garding his father s work it is unnecessary to expand

these notes at present . 5 2

I n early life he was a ber f ’

R . . rds A Smith s choir, and afte held the offi ce of precentor I n North

’ L e ith and St Mary s (Edinbu Es t ablishe d churches . At the Disruption in 1 8 43 left the Established Church , and the singing at the first Free Church

years . position of se veral popular tunes and as a succe ssf te er of

5 2 LEGER WOOI) H A ELY T . T

PRECENTORS AND THEIR WORK

R Old S . iddell , in Greyfriars Church , along with Dr Lee at the beginning O im of the rgan Crusade , marks an portant epoch in Scottish Church music . H olding many important appointments in school and college as a music master ,

was Geoghegan led a busy life , and

His widely known and appreciated . memory is kept green by a flourishing

his musical club , which bears name .

A U E THOM S M . H NT R was on e of the most notable precentors

of his . time Striking in appearance ,

of was light foot , it almost impossible t o meet him on the street without con

was cluding that he no ordinary man . His school and private work might

t oo have proved much for most men ,

o t t o but he g through it with ease , and 5 4 T. M . H U NTER PRECENTORS AND THEIR WORK R l Old 8 . iddel , in Greyfriars Church , along with Dr Lee at the beginning O im of the rgan Crusade , marks an

portant epoch in Scottish Church music . Holding many important appointments

as a in school and college music master ,

was Geoghegan led a busy life , and Hi widely known and appreciated . s memory is kept green by a flourishing

a s his musical club , which be r name .

A S U E THOM M . H NT R was one of the most notable precentors

his . of time Striking in appearance ,

was light of foot , it almost impossible to meet him on the street without con

u was nar man cl ding that he no ordi y . His school and private work might

u have proved too m c h for most men, u it h as but he got thro gh wit e e , and to 54 T . M H R . U NTE

PRECENTORS AND THEIR WORK

the end his fi ne tenor voice retained the quality and power that it had when fi rst he appeared in the Music Hall as ’ tenor soloist in Handel s oratorio of ” Samson . As precentor of R ose Street United

Presbyterian Church , Edinburgh , he

was very popular and painstaking , and the congregational Singing long retained

quite a distinctive character . Pressure o f engagements prevented

his rofe s Hunter , like many others in p f sion , rom fully exercising his talent for

composition , although many of his

school songs are popular .

A BE A J . C MP LL GR NT was a well-known precentor and Singing fi master in Edinburgh . His rst church ’ was Lady Ye st e r s Established and 5 5 PRECENTORS AND THEIR WORK

fo r -fi v e thereafter , twenty years , he led the singing in Lothian R oad United

Presbyterian Church . H e was also a very good exponent of Scottish

on song , and lectured frequently the subj ect .

It is impossible within the limits o f the present work to do more than men tion the names o f a few other precentors

who in the eastern district , , with those “ fi already given , have nished their course ”

Gle adhill K , enward , Palmer , John and George Bishop , W . Templeton ,

R Ebswort h H utton , Hume , amage , , K Darling , Heriot , err , Cairns , Wilson

R o f K o f . Dalkeith , and oss elso

’ Dundee s wild , warbling measures have never lacked exponents in the 5 6

DAV I D STEP H EN D U ND EE ’ ofi e n t o the memory

MR DA VID ST EP HEN

e r s a s as one of h mo t typic l precentor .

1 8 2 a Born the year 3 , in the p rish

. a de o and b of P n , F rfarshire , eing

osse sse d fi ne a very tenor voice ,

I ng the 5 m mg in one of the Car no ust ie

e e to se ttle . For a

PRECENTORS AND THEIR WORK

as demand a soloist at concerts , etc . , but as music was not his sole profession his musical talents were latterly e xe r cise d almost exclusively on behalf of

Church work . His congregational choir and musical association were noted for their excel

lent training , and their work , along . of with that their conductor , was an important factor in advancing congrega t io nal singing in Dundee . “ his In excellent work , Scottish

h as Church Music , Mr James Love some interesting remarks about several Scottish composers who were also pre

ce nt ors is . While it obvious that we cannot present an anthology o f all “ ” the famous tenants of the desk in

Glasgow , yet we desire to record the names of a few familiar to the 5 8

WI L L I A M M MI L L R . E

GLASGOW

PRECENTORS AND THEIR WORK

churches wh o are treated at greater length by Mr Love James M e rryle e s ; James Allan ; “ Bro omfi e ld of William , composer St K ” ilda ; Neil D ougall , composer of K R ilmarnock obert Simpson , com “ of poser Balerma Hugh Wilson , “ ” composer of Martyrdom ; H enry Boyd ; William Brown ; Alexander

‘ Duncan ; John M Lau chlan ; James

Steven .

A E WILLI M M . MILL R

1 8 1 William Mackie Miller, born 3 , was a distinguished teacher o f music

A s and a successful precentor . an ardent exponent o f the Tonic Sol-fa

method , he took a leading place in

Glasgow and the west of Scotland , and

did much , by classes and school song 5 9 PRECENTORS AND THEIR WORK

t o of books , spread a knowledge music

in the community . He also rendered invaluable service as a Music Superintendent of the Glasgow School Board Miller gave up precenting on being appointed Musical Inspector for the Church of

Scotland .

Few men led a busier life , and his ffi fill death left a blank di cult to .

If the honoured veteran , William

of of Carnie Aberdeen , Editor the ” us his Northern Psalter , should give reminiscences of the famous precentors

o f the north , what an interesting book ' it would be Until that desirable

of we t o piece work is done , venture ’ mention a few of Aberdeen s famous precentors .

60

PRECENTORS AND THEIR WORK

Of a different type was another of ’ Aber‘deen s famous precentors

A A X E A WILLI M M W LL SH W .

was of H e a pupil Urbani , and a frequent performer at the concerts of the Musical Society of Edinburgh about the close of the eighteenth century .

More , doubtless , would have been heard of Shaw had he not removed to America

1 8 0 in 5 , where he died after a residence f o only a few months .

R his has egarding precenting , it been said His manner of singing ‘ t h e psalms

was fi ne characterised by a simplicity , blended with sparing ornament and his taste was so much admired that the congregation accompanied him very

t o softly , that they might be able hear

6 2

DAV I D TAY LOR

’ Fro m a hot o ra h 6 ! a m es E w h ( p g p 3 j mg , A e r a e en)

PRECENTORS AND THEIR WORK

his i beautifully round and manly vo ce , which appeared to fill the church Without any exertion or disagreeable ” loudness .

t o we In addition the foregoing , would present t wo typical examples of the nineteenth -century Aberdeen pre

ce nt o r , from notes supplied by Mr

William Litster , himself a popular

of teacher music in that city .

M R D A VID TA YLOR

was precentor o f Free Trinity Church for seventeen years ( 1 8 5 7 H e was an enthusiastic musician and took a deep interest in the marvellous wave o f musical progress that swept over the

his o f o flic e city during term . Although neither a professional

of musician , nor a teacher classes for 6 3 PR ECENTOR S AND THEIR WORK

the people , he made a high reputation for the manner in which he trained his own church choir .

wh o Mr Litster , succeeded him in

1 8 of 7 4 , speaks in the highest terms his work .

MR LU DOVIC GR A NT S A NDISON was leader of the old historical church of was Greyfriars , which taken down t o make room fo r the U niversity build ffi ings . He held this o ce for twenty eight years ( 1 8 5 6 and practically

his died at post , being but a Short time ill .

o n Besides Church work , he carried numerous public classes , which did much to make music popular with the “ ’ ” Sandiso n s people . Indeed , Classes were household words in Aberdeen 64

PRECENTOR S AND THEIR WOR K

the people , he made a high reputation for the manner in which b e trained his o wn church choir .

Mr Litster , who succeeded him in 1 8 7 4 , speaks in the highest terms of his work .

MR LuD OV Ic GR A NT S A NDISON was leader of the old historical church

was of Greyfriars , which taken down to make room for the U niversity build ffi ings . He held this o ce for twenty eight years ( 1 8 5 6 and practically

his died at post , being but a short time ill .

h a Besides Churc work , he c rried on a numerous public cl sses , which did much to make music popular with the “ ’ ” d S ndiso n s lass . a people Indee , C es were household words in Aberdeen 64 G . N L. SA D ISON

Fr o m a hot o ra h b A . A da m s ber ee ( p g p y , A d n )

PRECENTORS AND THEIR WORK

TH E COUNTR Y PR ECENTOR

we o u r So far , have been drawing types of re ce nt o rs as p from the town , it would require a larger canvas than we have allowed ourselves t o portray all the men who in the north and west were h t equally elpful o the churches . The rural precentor was unique but in many provincial towns there were precentors possessing good voices who fi lled the desk creditably , and who frequently found their way to large town churches , where a precentorship often carried with it the appointment to a good j ob in an offi ce or a factory .

Sometimes , both in county town and ffi rural parish , precentors were di cult

to get . In such cases certain failings 6 6 PRECENTORS AND THEIR WORK in a possible candidate were often winked at. It was like the case of the old Scottish lady of bygone days , wh o , when cautioned about a certain applicant fo r the position o f cook in “ ' ! her house , exclaimed Character What care I aboot her character ! Can she mak ’ collops ! ”

was So with church managers . It “ often ° Never fash your head what

is ! he . Can the lad sing I n country districts many a good voice held forth and gave loyally o f it s best , receiving small encouragement in the form of fee from either heritors or people . When the schoolmaster could Sing he often added the duties o f ffi the desk to his other o ces , but often the minister had to lead the sing ing himself. Sometimes a yearly col 6 7 PRECENTORS AND THEIR WORK

lection , taken up in the ladle , was all the payment the precentor g ot and we have known many instances where men walked long distances to precent in cer

’ tain churches for A3 a year , grudgingly doled out . There is a district known t o us where the precentor received a suit o f

of clothes once a year instead wages . The poor man was sorely distressed as the time for sending round the ladle drew near . When the fateful Sunday came , and the minister intimated that the collection would n ow be taken to provide John with a suit of clothes , poor John could stand it no longer , and “ ’ shouted o u t I tell t ye I wadna hae it ! I tell ’t ye I wadna hae it l ” and

o u t o f rushed the desk , never to return . Al a s interested in matters pertain 68

PRECENTORS AND THEIR WORK

The worthy man who filled the ” oflic e s of desk held several , one them being that of village postmaster ; but it was when leading the singing o n Sunday that he appeared in his ffi greatest o ce and in his fullest glory . The impression made o n my mind then was that precenting must be a somewhat painful occupation . The

of strange contortions knitted brow , twisted mouth , and staring eyeball could only arise from some such sensa tion ; whilst the sounds which ae com panie d these actions were suggestive of anything but calm enj oyment . And yet he could unbend and b e come wonderfully familiar with some chosen crony as they made their way homeward by the kirk loan . Johnnie Burton even reported t o some of us at 7 0 PRECENTORS AND THEIR WORK

damside the one day , that he had heard Mac tell the beadle that he was

’ ’ rfu in wo nde v ice last Sunday . But this act o f condescension was never fully

be side s o h nnie proved ; , J had the reputa “ ” tion of being given to romance a bit . The conduct of t wo or three boys in the sparsely fi lled back gallery was

o u r a sore trial to friend of the desk , and I often passed the whole forenoon wondering what would happen if he were really to leave his seat and take V them into custody . isions of dark cells below the church , where such offenders were said to have been con fi ned , were often before me . So also they seemed to be with a pale -faced lad who sat in the minister ’s pew on

- Sundays , but who on week days used to join us in the absorbing sport of 7 1 PRECENTORS AND THEIR WORK

-fi shin minnow g in the dark , still pools

o f of the Water Leith . But this pale

was faced boy no ordinary visionary , and he is n ow known to the world as R obert Louis Stevenson . I t is needless t o say that there is n o

n desk in that village kirk ow. Yet to some of us the place is all the poore r for the absence of Mac and his desk and the pale—faced boy in the minister ’s pew .

A Y A RROW PR ECENTOR

The worthiest type of the good old country precentor I have ever met was

M C a e rcle u ch . . , the pp schoolmaster Far in the heart o f Selkirkshire there lie

Fo r - the Yarrow kirks . forty two years

o n M . trudged Sunday from Capper cleuch t o the kirk down Yarrow and 7 2

PRECENTORS AND THEIR WORK

On members . this occasion , j ust in the middle of the second seat on the M right , sat . , his homespun grey suit making him very conspicuous among so many black coats . But never man gave more attention to a debate , not

was a word missed , and until the adjournment came he never moved . When I saw him in the autumn “ ’ ! Of of that year , he said a the

’ o n e seats in the house , yon s the I

’ like best , and I aye tak it when ’ ” I m up . Worthy man ! if service to the Church entitled a man to any par t ic ular seat , he deserved a front one . ’ K H e now rests in St Mary s irkyard , by the lonesome loch he loved so well , and the district is all the poorer fo r his loss . 7 4 PRECENTORS AND THEIR WORK

’ T HE PRECENTOR OF BOSTON S KIRK

In the neighbouring valley of Ettrick ,

of a few miles to the south Yarrow , is

of to be found the kirk Thomas Boston , “ ” “ of author The Fourfold State , The ” Crook in the Lot , etc . Here for fi ffi many years Andra M . lled the o ce of precentor . Twenty miles from the nearest railway station , it can easily be understood that he had few compeers , fi and no rival . The rst time I heard Andra precent was when we were holidaying in the valley twenty years fi ago . Seldom have I heard a ner natural voice anywhere high tenor , with a singular quality that thrilled the ear at once—perhaps the rich accents o f the Borders making it act all the quicker .

of his Like most us , Andra had foibles , 7 5 PRECENTORS AND THEIR WORK one of them being a proneness to resent any participation in the praise by o ut siders . I usually managed to smuggle in an obligato tenor to the high treble “ of the desk but o ne day a friend was with me who assisted with a sort “ o f was Methody bass . This more

so than Andra could stand , the next “ se t Ke w as tune was up to , my friend remarked , with the result that

o f us both were silenced . ’ If Andra s range of tunes had been at all in keeping with the range of his voice he would have bee n unrivalled ; but , unfortunately , he knew only seven o r eight psalm tunes , and had no means o f fo r adding to his collection , he could n o t his read music , and could not trust car in psalmody , although in song sing

as ing he w the best in the parish . 7 6

PRECENTORS AND THEIR WORK quired a good deal of diplomacy ; but

was eventually all arranged . On the Saturday afternoon previous to the Sunday in question we were angling up near the source of the

Ettrick , in that beautiful glen where , “ ’ as 0 Phaho e tradition has it , Will p ” o saw the fairies . It was n e o f those autumn days that in a pastoral region intensify solitude . Sunlight fi ltered through a gauze-like atmosphere ; there were fi t fu l pufl S o f wind that did not fi f blow fty yards ; insect li e there was , without motion , but not without sound , for from populated reeds and grasses there arose a tremulous hum as from faint ae olian harps hidden at their roots

’ while the wild bird s fi t ful cry and

’ the distant waterfall s alternating sound ,

completed the slumbrous diapason . At 7 8 PRECENTORS AND THEIR WORK such a time action is impertinent yo u can only lie upon your back among the

heather , and , with your eyes in the lift , se e visions . We were recalled t o life by seeing a fi real gure crossing our line of sight , for far up the slopes o f Bo de sb e ck Law a pedestrian seemed to be work ing his way towards the bridle-path that leads to the head of Ettrick . Who could he be wh om Fate had destined to climb mountains on such a day ! We had begun to weave a nice little history fo r him of the Wandering R i Jew , Ancient Mariner , p van Winkle

fa r order , when a voice hailed us up “ ’ ’ the heights ! H ey ! d ye ca that ’ fi shin

! It was Andra Good man , the thought o f an interloper in the desk 7 9 PRECENTORS AND THEIR WORK next day was too much fo r his loyal

of soul , so , despite the attractions

ff son Mo at and the persuasions of his , he was making for home by the short

e st cut in order to defend his post . The following (Sunday) morning we were making o ur way leisurely up the kirk loan when we saw Andra standing

at the Manse gate . H e accosted us

without a smile , as if his reception at the Manse that morning had been

t o somewhat cool , and in answer my

“ - Good morning , Andra , he simply ’ ! extended his arm , saying There s the

sau ms p . “ “ N o , no , Andra , I replied ; we ” are all too glad to see you back again . “ Aweel , he said , still holding the

’ saums list out to me , there s only twa p ” and a paraphrase , and , he added doubt

8 0

PRECENTORS AND THEIR WORK and privilege of becoming acquainted with many of the people and all the

o f O ne ministers the district . Sunday evening we were sitting in the back pew of Hillside Free Church when the beadle came along the passage, and in a loud whisper told me that I “ was v ast r wanted in the y. I said something about coming “ at the close ” of the service but the messenger was “ ’ ” n o obdurate ! Ye re wanted the o . There was nothing fo r it but just to “ e e ms follow J down the church , under the eyes o f the whole congrega

as o n e tion , with much dignity as could summon t o his aid on such short notice —and with the consciousness that a light- coloured Norfolk suit was n o t the

U nst most clerical attire even in . In the vestry I found the minister

8 2 PRECENTORS AND THEIR WORK

t wo of and the elders , also Geordie ,

wh o the precentor , stood beaming upon

his the party , and clasping tightly to closely buttoned pilot jacket a well

’ - worn psalm book . Without a moment s delay the minister began as follows “ I am sure it would give yo u life long gratification to be able to say that you had led the praise in the most northern church in the British

fo r dominions will you , therefore , sing us to-night But what will Geordie say I ven

o t red to remark , turning to that worthy

ffi o n o cial as he beamed all around .

’ It is Geordie s strong desire that you ” so should do , was the reply .

’ ” A o u r f for y, deed is t , said riend ;

se e e t aff ye , I never g a day ava , an ’ ” never hear a strange v ice . 8 3 PRECENTORS AND THEIR WORK

There was nothing for it but to

is u se of comply , for what the trying to explain that even a Singing master sometimes needs a rest ! At the close o f the service we were all mutually pleased , for a slight novelty is is welcome where routine unbroken . Geordie was noble and generous throughout . ’ Oh do as , you ll much for me some

his . day , I said in answer to thanks

’ ’ An that I wull the fi rst time I m in Scotland I ’ll gie ye a day I have been told that Geordie always means what he says , and keeps his word .

8 4

Light s a nd Sha dows o f Prec e nt ing

T HE D ESK A ND T HE GOWN

To many people , especially young

’ people in Scotland , the precentor s

- o r as was pulpit desk , dask it called

is in country districts , quite unknown .

’ Even the minister s pulpit is rapidly being demolished , and an elevated plat

is it s form taking place .

was The desk very small and narrow , and clung like a limpet to the main pulpit a tall man often could n o t stand

’ upright in it because o f the minister s

- book board proj ecting overhead . 8 7 LIGHTS AND SHADOWS

This often allowed of whispered communications between preacher and

was singer . Thus , when a bad cold

troubling the precentor , and he had t o sit down before the somewhat long piece of the psalm that had been given “ o u t was — ho o done John , my man , d ’ye expect to sing through a ’ eternity

’ when ye mak sic a wark aboot singing ’ ” a wheen extra verses o a psalm !

James , said a worthy of the homely

his was type to precentor , who strug gling amid the shoals and quicksands

o f o ne a minor tune Sunday morning , “ ” m ! Oh sir Ja es , what ails ye , , A ’m sair troubled wi’ a wee bit

’ ’ kit lin i ma throat this

Kit lin sa ! , did ye y it sounds mair

’ ” - like a auld full grown cat . 8 8

LIGHTS AND SHADOWS precentor once—and that he had only

of got the loan it . The matter was n ot settled in o u r presence at the time nor for many a

day after , the Session s plea being that

t o ffi the gown had been given the o ce ,

t o ho w and not the man . Eventually ,

n o t ever , they could well answer the argument of the claimant When o o r

’ ’ last minister left , did he no tak his

’ wi so t o goun him And , avoid the

of was gossip the parish , the gown

given up .

The primitive life in many districts of Scotland led to much freedom and plain

of ness speech amongst all classes , and n o t least amongst minister and people . —“ Thus I se e I hae forgotten my se r ’ mon ; and ye micht j ist wrastle awa 90 LIGHTS AND SHADOWS

’ wi the 1 l 9 t h Psalm till I rin ower to ” se e fi nd the manse and if I can it . There is something quaint in the following triple reproof “ ’ Tammas Scott , if ye re awake ye micht wauken the beadle and tell him to wake up the precentor .

fre e ns My , said a worthy minister

t o his in the north people , solemnly assembled to decide upon a new list of psalm tunes to be used on Sundays in “ fre e ns o u fi x on church ; my , y may

’ ‘ ony tune you like . E en sing Doun — ‘ the burn , D avy , lad and I will ’ follow thee . ff A liberal treatment , very di erent from that expressed by the good old woman in similar circumstances “ ’ ’ Awa wi your fal-de-rals ! I ve 9 1 LIGHTS AND SHADOWS

’ sung naething but the P sau ms o

’ ’ D auvid to the tunes 0 D auv id a my ’ days , and I m no gaun to change

1 1 00 .

INNOVA TIONS The making of mountains out of mole-hills is a process some people might patent . I remember seeing a

who was precentor, a bit in advance

of his time , appear in the desk with

- - a pitch pipe , and give the key note by it s is aid . This pipe an ingeniously

so contrived little brass tube , regulated that it gives forth a sort of t oy-trumpet

sound when blown by the mouth . The amazement of the congregation was something t o remember when the twa-a-a-ng of the pip e ran through a the church , and the visible wr th of 9 2

LIGHTS AND SHADOWS

r stumbling blocks to the unwa y . “ K Tammas , said the Auld irk pre c e nt o r in a village in the south t o the carrier who acted as messenger for “ ’ ’ the valley , Tammas , I wish ye d ca

’ at the ironmonger s when ye gang t o

the toun , and bring me a new pitch ” fo r fork Sunday . The carrier duly took note o f the

commission , and the next Sunday , as the folk were gathering in the kirk

yard previous to the service , he was seen coming hastily up the loaning with a six-foot- shanked pitch -fork over

his shoulder, and muttering something “ ’ about breakin the Sawbat h for this new—fangled nonsense That old woman must have been fi related to the carrier who , when rst she saw a stranger in the desk use a 9 4 LIGHTS AND SHADOWS

“ - ! tuning fork , exclaimed Ye villain , wud ye u se cauld steel in o o r kirk

we As have already indicated , the reading of the line was a frequent cause of irritation t o the more cultured in the congregation . Yet their irrita tion was nothing in comparison t o that o f those who obj ected to its discon t i a n u nce .

John Wilson himself, when obliging a clerical friend with whom he was staying in Old Kilpatrick by taking

o n the desk the Sunday , brought down the displeasure of the orthodox upon

t o his head by omitting read the line . At the close of the forenoon service he was accosted by o ne o f the elders “ Sir , are ye gaun up yonder in the afternoon

Yes ; I intend so . 9 5 LIGHTS AND SHADOWS

sir i Then , , ye maun read the l ne . ’ Nane 0 your Edinburgh tricks here

More characteristic , if not more

old of emphatic , was the woman , whom Dr Chalmers used to speak , who was opposed to the abolition of the reading o f the line on Scriptural grounds . Being asked t o give chapter and “ she ! verse , at once replied What ! says I saiah , D octor Line upon line , line upon line ; here a little , and there l l ” a it t e .

No o n e could enjoy this quaint exegesis more thoroughly than the wise and tolerant D r Chalmers .

T HE BA ND When the Edinburgh Musical Society ventured to introduce some of the choral 96

LIGHTS AND SHADOWS

’ Assembly Service in St Giles o n o ne — ’ occasion St Giles was the fi rst church in Edinburgh where a choir was in — t ro du ce d and when the psalm was

o u t given , and no voices sang it but

of those the choir , he turned round angrily t o a minister who was sitting “ ! behind , and said I came here to

praise my Maker , and not to hear a ” concert . “ o r as Choirs , bands they were

called , have certainly done splendid work fo r the churches without fee o r

reward , and it will lead to a serious state o f affairs should the advent o f the organ give church managers the impression that they can now afford “ to slight the band . When the pas ” sing of the band comes to be written it will be found that , as in the desk , 98 LIGHTS AND SHADOWS there h as been many a humorous in e ident within the choir seat . Mean time we shall keep to the precentor, Simply lifting the choir veil a little in passing by , recalling the mysterious remark o f a country choirmaster Oh

’ ’ a wi o o r y, we ve great satisfaction ’ band till it comes the time 0 the spring bannets The reader may have leisure some day to ponder over the hidden mystery

that underlies these words .

Just another word about the choir . We have heard the following incident quoted as a clever and faithful rebuke administered to his choir by a preacher when they had introduced a new tune into the services The choir hav ing just sung to their o wn praise

us and glory , let now sing to the 99 LIGHTS AND SHADOWS praise and glory of God in the 65 t h ” o ff Psalm . Which he forthwith led t o a familiar tune . We fail to se e where the point of the rebuke lies . To speak thus about

n o one voluntary workers where could , o r was was at all likely to retort , neither clever nor faithful ; on the contrary , we consider it splenetic and ungentlemanly .

R e v . The late Dr Charles J . was sa Brown wont to y, in a very different Spirit from that of the fore “ ! Ye s going divine , the —old tunes are good , very good ; but they are not inspired t o the exclusion of other ” Psalters . Sympathy and a keen sense of humour often save the situation in church as in other matters .

I OO

LIGHTS AND SHADOWS

‘ close of the service his satisfaction at having had such a large congregation , the latter modestly remarked Aweel

’ se e ye , sir , it s nae wonder , for folk a ken guid singing when they hear ’t Another very characteristic story comes from the south , regarding a pre ce nt o r who really was a very good singer .

on e After morning service Sunday , the minister being pleased with himself as well as with the Singing , said to the

! was precentor John , that singing

H ow was really very good . it that ” yo u attained such profi ciency ! “ ” Weel , sir, said John , taking the “ as we compliment quite seriously , ’ are spe akin confide n t ial - like atween

o o rse ls , I may tell ye that it took me the best pairt o ’ twenty years before I reached perfection

1 0 2 LIGHTS AND SHADOWS Of a different type was the precentor

o f wh o an earlier day , being rather R weak on the oman numerals , glanced at the 43 rd Psalm fi rst one way and fi then another , and nally made the inti mation We are to begin the service by singing the X and the L and the

’ ” c cd three Psalm . The danger of seeking fo r compli ments is aptly shown by a conversation between a worthy minister o f a pro v incial town in the south of Scotland and a stranger whom he met in the

o n e kirk loan j ust after service Sunday . Good-morning ; I think I have had the pleasure o f seeing yo u twice o r ” o u r thrice in church lately .

! uite right , sir, quite right . You are a stranger

A fi v e y ; I live miles frae the town . 1 0 3 LIGHTS AND SHADOWS Indeed then I trust your visit is’ to ” e difi cat io n your . ’ sir You re richt , your richt .

baand Div ye ken , your is the best ’ wad on i the county , and I stand y kind ’ ’ ” 0 re achin t o p just hear your singing .

A MA TEU R PRECENTORS

Fo r some years after the Disruption many o f the Free churches had the praise led by amateur precentors . This brought about some amusing impres sions and misapprehensions For ex

o f on e ample , we know instance where the precentor fo r the time being was an eminent legal gentleman in the city of Edinburgh . An acquaintance of his of equal social position had left the country several years previous t o

On was this . his return he speaking 1 04

LIGHTS AND SHADOWS

” Can you tell me , sir, who is to ” preach to- day ! asked a stranger of a man standing at a church door in

Edinburgh . ! Preach , did ye say I dinna ken

’ ’ wh a s to preach ; but my son s to pre

n ce t . Gang in , sir, gang in Perhaps the most striking trio of amateurs ever brought before the public

‘ was M Kn i ht that suggested by Dr g , who was clerk to the General Assembly of the Church o f Scotland more than a century ago . The business before the H ouse was the appointment of a committee to improve the psalmody of the Church , when the worthy clerk , wh o was wont t o enliven a dull seder

unt by a joke , solemnly suggested the addition o f the following names t o “ those already proposed ! Mr Sing e r

1 0 6 LIGHTS AND SHADOWS

Sa n ster of Humbie , Mr g of Fala , and ” er Mr Pyp of Pencaitland . ! uite recently there died a notable Border town worthy who in his young days became a member of the Free

occ u Church at the Disruption . H e ” fo r pied the desk a number of years , — but by-and by did no t please the con

re at io n g g . His services were gratuitous , and it was a delicate matter to dislodge “ ’ It s him . As the minister remarked ’ an unco mait t e r to fash wi them that

’ ’ tak pairt in the services 0 the Sanc ” t uar y. Several suggestions were made ,

and at last the idea was hit upon that , by giving him a small but inappro

riat e p present , he might take the hint

that his services were no longer desired .

A soiree was arranged , and the presen t at io n o f a silver snuff-bo x was made 1 0 7 LIGHTS AND SHADOWS

t o to him , when in reply , greatly the annoyance and discomfi t u re of his

enemies , he expressed his delight at this signal proof of their appreciation

’ of his ! As singing , adding I ve done so well in the past I hope t o give ” greater satisfaction in time to come .

1 08

C o nclu sio n

T HE POWER OF PSA LMODY

IT is impossible t o properly appreciate o r even to understand the tenacity with which the Scots cling to simple psal

mody unless we remember that , by “ ” long pondering over The Book , their thoughts unconsciously fi n d expression

h as in the language of Scripture , which enriched and made picturesque their f vernacular ; and , urther , that to all classes amongst them many o f the psalms are veritable tide - marks of

national or personal experience . The R eformation watchword in the

’ 46t h ; the Covenanter s hope in the I I I CONCL USION

’ 7 6 t h ; the Victor s shout in the 1 2 4th the contrition of the 5 1 st ; and the

- 2 rd e n child like faith of the 3 , have deared these psalms t o every Scottish heart . Yes ; the precentor passeth ; but that the psalms may never pass from the churches should be the fervent wish o f every lover of our land .

was Burns , who knew well what

t o dearest us , and who knew music a great deal better than is commonly f supposed , has le t not only a beautiful , but what we are assured is a true picture of the habits of the cottar o f his day

They chant their artless notes in simple guise ;

T far . hey tune their hearts , by the noblest aim P D ’ erhaps undee s wild warbling measures rise , ” Or v o f plainti e Martyrs , worthy the name ,

CONCLU SION were able to maintain it in proper condition , and have it properly played after they got it . Congregations in t o o many instances have literally found that “ their reach ” was farther than their grasp , and , by

of a spirit ostentation and rivalry , have lost the benefi t of a medium which by j udicious forethought might have proved a real aid to devotion . An instrument fi t for a cathedral placed in a small church is a violation o f the laws both o f taste and of acoustics . Church praise , after all , is a spiritual act ; and where its acces so rie s ff ae so o end the sthetic sense , far is it s in it weakened , and devotional

flu e nce vitiated .

so as o ur But , far theme is concerned , the whole matter may be summed up in 1 1 4 CONCLU SION

“ old a sentence The order changeth , ” t o ne w giving place the ; and , save in a few country places , the Scottish precentor as we and our fathers knew him is gone for ever . It may be said Surely not gone for ever when on e thinks of the people who fo r , various reasons , have recently

- re left organ using churches . Well , cru de sce n ce n ot is renascence , and the younger generation , even in the far north , have long since , in school and

of elsewhere , come under the Spell the

so musical forward movement , that the precentor is n o longer to them the

a offi cial he w s to their fathers .

True , he is still heard in the highest

of our Church courts , and strangers from distant lands greet him as one of the few things distinctively Scottish I I S CONCLU SION — as they understood it that yet remain

o u r I h in midst . But he s passing t ere t o o e his , and in a short tim chair will be vacant , and men will look in vain

of ffi for any vestige his o ce .

on So time speeds , and forms and forces which seemed likely to last as long as ou r nation cherished it s tradi tions , are discarded and neglected and

’ even while we marvel they are a wede away .

THE R IV ER SIDE PR ESS LIMITED , EDINBUR GH.