Sir.-As another convert from Non-comformist stock I should like to support your ex-Welsh Baptist reader in his sorrow about our Catholic hymns and tunes.
My biggest disappointment in the Church, too, was in our Sunday evening services. in the Free Churches these are usually wellattended and inspiring . and always with a sermon.
I missed the hest of the hymns with which I was familiar, and have found it impossible to become fond of the hymns which are most popular with Catholics. In particular, I might mention "Hail. Queen of Heaven." I never can feel enthusiastic about singing "Remind Thy Son that He has paid the price of our iniquity." It seems to me that it would be more sensible to ask Our Lady to remind us, as we arc the ones most likely to forget it!
However. I tell myself that the popular Catholic hymns have the same nostalgic and sentimental value for the cradle-Catholic as our old favourites, "Rock of Ages," "Abide with me," and "Jew. Lover of my soul," arid for non-Catholics. It is something beyond reason or wsthetic taste.
Meanwhile I have gained some most glorious Latin hymns: if only we sang them more frequently and to the best tunes!
G. M. Stanford, 3, Cassilis Road, Twickenham.