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433 VIII. THE MODERN PERIOD (A.D. 18121910).
(i) Improvement in taste and interest in church building,
church music and church services generally.
Much attention is being paid to the fabrics of the
churches. Fine new churches have been built in Stock
holm and Goteborg. The finest example of church
restoration is said to be that of the Cathedral of Strengnas,
and I also saw a good one at the important town of Falun.
An exhibition of church arts was held at the time of the re
opening of Strengnas Cathedral, of which the attractive
catalogue lies before me. Much is being done for church
music by the
"
Friends of Church Song," an association
that has branches in different dioceses, which aims at the
restoration of the old melodies. They have re-edited the
old tunes of the chorales in their ancient rhythmic form,
which had been obscured by the German, Hoffner, about a
hundred years ago, when he harmonized them in a very
popular manner.48
This ancient music is making great
progress, and there is also a liturgical movement spreading
"
the music for the Swedish Mass."
Many churches have
voluntary choirs (men and women) in western galleries,
but not every Sunday.
The vestments prescribed by the Church which are red
and black chasubles, with heavy gold and silver orna
ments, worn over plain white albs are being used more
regularly than in former years. Forty years ago there was
a prejudice against their use on the part of some Evan
gelical clergy, but this is now rare. They are, I am told,
not worn every Sunday (except in some cathedral
churches), but on festivals and at celebrations of Holy
Communion which, apparently, are generally once a
month. This importance lies, of course, in the evidence
of the continuity of Church life which they afford. We
were much struck with the reverent and full attendance at
two "
liturgical evensongs
"
at which we were present in
48
Svensk Koralbok i reviderad rytmisk form, published by
Gleerup, Lund (price 4 kr. 75).
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