An old and respected Elder of the Kirk had lived out his active life away in a remote corner of the bush far from city churches and the influences of modern times. He was one who knew and loved God's Word - but he had never enjoyed the benefits which are the common lot even of children today. Many a Psalm could the old man repeat and he could put the younger ones to shame in his knowledge of the Catechism. But his acquaintance with the finer arts of music was limited indeed. He came to the city to retire, and sought out the minister in no little concern over the singing in the city church. He was distressed to find some of the younger people "singing a different tune" from the others in the Psalm. Thus did it appear to this old man of God. He was not at all sure that it was right for the young men to be "singing a different tune." You see, the singing of "parts" was to the old man something new and entirely strange.

On the wall there hung a beautifully coloured photograph of the Elder's old home in the bush. And what a picture it was! The old home nestling in the bush, with the smoke curling from the chimney. The minister looked long at it, and at last he broke the silence. "That's a picture of your old home, and I know you're proud of it." "That I am," the old man said, in tones which left no room for doubt. The minister continued. "Take away the background from that picture and wash out the colour. That leaves us with an outline in black and white. It is still a picture of your old home, but it just hasn't the same beauty and depth and colour it had before. Now our Church Praise is just like that picture. The ordinary tune that you sing - the melody - that's the outline in black and white. But we can add to that. We take that outline and we put in the parts, the Alto, the Tenor and the Bass. In one sense perhaps they will be a different tune, but they supplement the 'air'; they give to it a colour and a background and make it into one harmonious whole. Not a different tune - not a different picture, but truly a part of the whole." As he listened the old man's face brightened and when the minister concluded he smiled and said, "I've never had it explained like that before."

Four parts, being blended into one harmonious whole. What grander music can we have than that? Ideally, of course, the Precentor should not be singing the air at all, nor in fact should the male members of the congregation. The melody should (in theory at least) be reserved for the Sopranos, the Altos and the male voices supplying the harmony so that whatever our voice, be it male or female, high or low, there will be a part fitted to our own particular talents.

But you cannot play an instrument without instruction and practice. You may manage to extract some kind of a tune, but only instruction and above all, practice will enable us to draw from it the strains of music it was designed to produce. No more can we have true music in our congregations without instruction and practice. It may not always be possible to attend a Psalmody class, but we may practise among ourselves, and even by ourselves. We may learn our tunes or our parts in the home so that we are not at a loss when we come together in the congregation.

Finally, let us run through the cardinal rules:

Do not sing too loudly. Your voice ought not to be heard rising above the others.

Watch the Precentor, and keep strictly in time with him. ( Part singers are most often the offenders when it comes to "dragging.")

Be alert for the signs he gives, indicating softer or louder singing.

If you have an ear for music, learn the part for which your voice is best adapted.

If you think you can't sing, don't sit dumb, at least until you have your worst suspicions confirmed. Many people who could well sing sit quiet because they are afraid of their own voice. It may even be a little embarrassing, but do go and ask someone who is competent to tell you whether you sing in tune or not.

Let us ever remember that the object of our singing is to praise and to worship God. This being so, how can we presume to offer anything short of the very best of which we are capable. If we have not much to offer, neither had the woman who cast her all into the treasury; but let us bring it with a willing heart.

"Give thanks to God, call on His name;
To men his deeds make known.
Sing ye to him, sing Psalms, proclaim
His wondrous works each one.

See that ye in His holy name
To glory do accord;
And let the heart of ev'ry one
Rejoice that seeks the Lord."