Page:The Parson's Handbook - 2nd ed.djvu/59

Rh if the church is kept in proper shade : they also have a good effect in daylight.

There are many good ways of disposing the organ. To block up a chapel with it is a bad way. The recent committee under the Bishop of Chester, which reported on the subject, showed that, for the sake of the instrument itself, it should not be crammed into positions of this sort. Our old country churches were not built to contain a large organ ; there is no place for one, and therefore a chapel, often the only chapel, has been taken, to the destruction of the church's beauty and the great detriment of the organ's power. If the little Positive Organ, charming in appearance and excellent in tone, had been in vented earlier, many a lovely old church would have been spared from hideous defacement. In larger churches some kind of organ-loft should be built. Organ-pipes should be left their natural colour. There can be little doubt that the best arrangement both for music and for ceremonial in most churches is the old one of a west gallery, contain ing both organ and choir. This has the additional advantage of allowing for a mixed choir. The choristers can still take part in the procession, slipping off their surplices in the vestry, or going as they are into the gallery, when the procession is over. There is nothing particularly Catholic about a surpliced choir.

The Pulpit may be in almost any part of the church, the usual place being at the side of the nave. Mw own opinion is that the south side is best for every one who is not left-handed ; for the preacher, having his stronger side towards the people, is able