Take the familiar situation: The great festival hymn of the Reformation is sung. We have before us altar, pulpit, pipe organ; we have before us minister, organist, choir, congregation. The ideal of the problem is a _harmonious co-operation_ between all if we are to have VITAL worship and VITAL song. The good pastor of a large Lutheran church in Connecticut thanked his organist and choirmaster in a very hearty way after a fine Sunday morning service. The good organist and choirmaster answered: “Well, who cannot play and sing when the pastor preaches such soul-stirring sermons and conducts the liturgy so beautifully?” And the good pastor replied: “Well, who cannot preach and conduct the liturgy when the organist and choirmaster does such excellent work?” That is real co-operation—they helped each other in a beautiful way. They co-operated in the selection of hymns and choir music—every Tuesday or Wednesday evening that pastor and organist were together in conference concerning the song of the church. That is work very much worth while for the Church service. In our thousands of Lutheran churches throughout the United States of America, the American Lutheran Church is to be built up and built together into ONE great Church, into ONE people that really sings—a people of God. But when here devoutly soareth High the temple-anthem sweet, Grief grows calm, no plaint outpoureth— Hearts with holy rapture beat: Free from earthly clouds the soul Presses toward a higher goal, Takes from hope the comfort given, Speaks e’en now the tongue of heaven. O my soul, thy wing ascending, Yet on Salem’s mount shall rest; There where cherub-harps are blending With the singing of the blest; Let thy note of praise and prayer To thy God precede thee there, While e’en yet a care-worn mortal, Still without thy Father’s portal. Let us, Christians, here that wander, As our fathers in their day, Piously together ponder, Gladly sing and meekly pray; Be the children’s voices raised To the God their fathers praised. Let Thy bounty failing never Be on us and all forever. (From J. O. Wallin) ADDENDA REFORMED CHURCH SONG The founders of the so-called Reformed Church, Ulrich Zwingli and John Calvin, sought to restore apostolic simplicity in the matter of public worship. All images and ornaments were removed from the Reformed churches. The altars were changed to plain tables. Musical instruments were not allowed in the churches. Zwingli made the sermon the chief part of the church service. The Latin chants and songs were abolished, and their places were seldom filled with congregational singing in the vernacular. With regard to church service, Calvin had on the whole the same views as Zwingli. He introduced, however, congregational singing, using translated and versified portions of the Psalms of David.