"Henry, I robe you in this surplice in token that you are now set apart to be a chorister, and, together with those around you, to assist in the high and glorious work of leading the praises of God in this church: let the whiteness of this robe always remind you of that purity which should mark the service you here offer up to God. I pray you never, either here or elsewhere, to disgrace this robe of your solemn office. What you sing with your lips believe in your heart, and what you believe in your heart fulfil in your life; and may God so bless and protect you, that when this life is ended, you may join that angel choir who in robes of white sing before the Throne, 'Glory to God and to the Lamb for ever and ever.' Amen." The new chorister then took his place in the choir, whilst the organ almost thundered the following chorus, in which all joined:-- "O Great and Mighty God, with angels and archangels we laud and magnify Thy glorious name. Amen." The usual morning service then proceeded. Many eyes were fixed on the earnest, thoughtful little face that appeared for the first time in the choir; and with not a little pardonable pride did old Matthew watch the hearty efforts of his grandson to fulfil the promise he had just made. It had long been a custom for the Vicar and Mr. Mendles, the organist, to partake of a late meal at the Hall when their Sunday duties were ended; and on this Sunday evening the Squire accompanied them home from church. "Our little friend," said he, "will be quite an acquisition to the choir; he has a very sweet voice." "Yes, he has," replied the Vicar; "and what is of no less importance, he is sure to conduct himself well. But, for that matter, I have no reason to complain of any one of our choir; for, thanks to Mr. Mendles, and to their own sense of propriety, I don't believe there is a better conducted choir in any parish than ours." "That is very much owing to your allowing no men to be there who are not communicants." "That's a good rule, no doubt, and accounts, perhaps, more than any thing for their reverent behaviour. You well know, Mr. Mendles, there was little reverence enough once." "The great difficulty," said Mr. Mendles, "is to persuade the choir that they should sing to God, _with_ the congregation, not _to_ the congregation. I strive both to learn myself, and to teach them, that our singing should be _worship_, not the mere exhibition of _talent_, and that we ought to rejoice when the congregation _join in_, not when they only _listen to_ our hymns and chants. I believe we have now learnt the lesson, and are the happier for it."