The Power of Music / In which is shown, by a variety of pleasing and instructive anecdotes, the effects it has on man and animals.

by Anonymous

THE ORIGIN OF CHANTING IN CATHEDRALS.

St. Austin, who was originally a monk at Rome, and was sent about the year 596, by Gregory I. at the head of forty other monks, to convert the English to Christianity, was the first who introduced chanting in the Divine Service, which is still continued in our cathedrals. His desire was to induce converts; and he strove, not only by argument, to effect his object, but by every other laudable means he could devise; hence he endeavoured, as much as possible, to render the Divine Service interesting, as well as instructive. This practice of chanting, or singing, made rapid increases. Our Saxon forefathers were so enthusiastically fond of it, that one continued strain was kept up night and day, by a succession of priests; even their penances could be redeemed by the singing of a certain number of Psalms, or by a frequent repetition of the Lord’s Prayer. He was very successful in his endeavours, and, among others, King Ethelbert himself became a convert. St. Austin resided principally at Durovernum, (Canterbury,) and died May 26, 607.