Welsh Journals

This is better than a number in the famous Sankey collection of around the same period. But: speaks for itself. 2. The music is especially fascinating, because it shows the work of "Our Organist Nun [who] has for the first time written out our own harmonies, which have been only tradit- ional until now." To play them is to understand the painstaking efforts of the person, perhaps with little formal training, who slowly put what was really unsupported melody on to two staves. Sadly the music has none of the freshness of, say, the tunes of William Billings (also home-grown) of 18th century New England. Llanthony Monastery still stands (although the chapel is roofless) as a memorial to both Fr. Ignatius and Eric Gill the artist, who took over the buildings later after the community had effectively failed. It's an isolated and marvellous place to visit, still a centre of pilgrimage following the famous visions seen of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the end of the last century. It is also a place with a feeling as strange as the movement started there and as the music it has produced. There is a defiance about the whole thing which is summed up in the motto at the top of the front cover Gwir yn erbyn y Byd Truth against the World. Mr Gage is well known for his work in local history in Essex particularly for his encyclopaedic knowledge of nineteenth century non-conformity in the county. This re-print is a brave venture and a very valuable one. It is most heartily to be recommended; and at just £ 2.00, you really cannot go wrong. Richard Fenwick St Martin's Vicarage Ruislip "Morning bursting forth from night, Glitters in the sky. Pitying love of Jesus. Hear our waking cry". "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus! Words I cannot find, Language fails to utter Things which fill my mind"