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The New Priest.

It had been said that the priest was retiring. The question was who is going to take his place? Many were the rumours I myself was not at all concerned, I only went to Church for Funerals and weddings with the occasional baptism.

My regular church going stopped while I was a member of the church choir. I disagreed once too often with the so called choir master. I was asked by many of the choir members to come back to the choir. My voice was sadly missed. Itold all that asked that I would consider it and they should not be surprised if I turned up at the weekly choir practice.

The old priest was given a goodbye evening and I was encouraged to attend. It was here that I heard that the choir master was also leaving the church. At the next choir practise Iwalked through the church hall doors and was promptly recognised and given a warm greting by all. Not only that I was asked to be the new choir master. This was indeed a very warm welcome. I took up my duties straight away. My first duty was to place the different voices in small groups, one could make out the tenors from the deep throated bass singers I asked the entire choir to keep to this new arrangement. My first hymn was the twenty third psalm. It was grand to hear the choir singing under my directions. This grand old hymn sounded different to that when the old choir master conducted the choir.

The new priest arrived and introduced himself to the choir and we sang for him Onward Christian Soldiers. The man was delighted and this hymn was the first hymn under his leadership of the church. The choir was excellent most of the choir were for the first time singing as they had always wanted sing. I encouraged them to sing in their natural voices. Not in some strange tone art that the old choirmaster had always wanted them to sing in.

The church sloly filled and I swear there were no places empty. The whole town had turned out to see and greet the new Priest.The choir stood up and I gave the signal for Onward Christian Soldiers. The organ played the well known hymn then I gave my signal and the church goers stood and the hymn was a delight, all sang. I glanced at the new Priest. His face was a picture he had one of those faces that showed whatever he was feeling. This old hymn must have been one of his favourites. After the hymn the Lord’s prayer was said and as the priest went to walk up to the pulpit. A choir of children sang the hymn All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small. Then it was as if a silken cloth had risen and lined up at the altar were Angels. Children complete with wings No one in the church had ever seen anything like this before. I directed the choir to sing with the Angel children. Such heavenly music had never before been heard in this church or any other as far as I have been informed. The new priest told one and all that he had nothing to do with the Angel choir. For many months the church was full. All wanted to see and above all hear these angelic voices. My choir, yes it is now my choir are often asked to sing at other churches. Since that Sunday something wonderful happened the choir was now a favourite up and down the country invitations pour in. We try to attend at all of these invitations. I think not because of our singing all wanted to see and hear for themselves the Angelic children’s choir. I have retired from the choir a younger man has taken over from me. I am now your scribbler Bern that tries to give you new happenings every day.