25 JANUARY 1952, Page 15

"Congregational Praise"

SIR,—Mr. Hobbs does well to point out some of the fine tunes in Congregational Praise. I could add some more: Thornburv, Abbot's Leigh, Traveller, Vulpius—tbe list might be prolonged indefinitel% One cannot but regret the bowdlerisation of the General Confession, printed—a good idea—on the inside cover, and the somewhat ruthless pruning of the Psalms. However, such faults apart, it can lay claim to be one of the best hymn-books published in recent years, which, considering the depravity of the old book, is no mean achievement. One of the most noticeable improvements is the children's section, now at last emancipated from the baneful influence of Moody and