BEHAVIOUR IN CHURCH.
[To THE EDITOR or THZ " SPECTATOR.")
Sm—The sensitive and animated little study, so attractively typical of the Spectator's lighter phase, which last week's number contained presented a delicate subject suggestively and with sufficient precision, yet without dogmatism. I wish the same writer would treat similarly the question of the week- day uses of churches and chapels—uses not directly devotional. Need the conventions, then, be quite so rigidly observed? Think especially of the villages. Is darkness and dead silence and a closed door the only answer the parish church and the Noncon- formist chapel can give, in the name of their Lord of Life, to the cry of the rural population for light, warmth, encourage- ment, and even laughter? Responsible for nine Wesleyan chapels in villages around Canterbury, I have tried experiments, providing a programme of vocal and instrumental music and recitations, but always with the singing of popular hymns and a common recital of the Lord's Prayer. Incongruity? Not unless you bring it. Sixty folk have come instead of a faithful six who would have endured, possibly enjoyed, a sermon. But some of my Church of England friends have said—nothing! I do not expect reunion until we have worked at it and worked it out for the common good. It would be delectable to have the comments of your contributor on this real and, as I think, rather pathetic situation.—I am, Sir, &c.,
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