In arriving at an answer to this question for any denomination, primary consideration should be given to the tradition of the Church involved. The music of that Church should be in keeping with its customary standards and practices. When we turn to the Reformed Church, what do we find? Strength and dignity seem to me to mark the worship of our Church through its many years.

This is evidenced by its Liturgy which has proved its fundamental worth through long usage, and by the Metrical Psalms which were the vigorous expression of faith from the earliest days of the Church.

In more recent years, the music of the Church has been broadened to include what used to be called "hymns of human composure" in contrast with the traditional praise taken from the Scriptures. I think that few would deny that the best of these hymns have been divinely inspired and have rightfully found a major place in the worship of our churches. The temptation, however, in this transition is to venture into the area of catchy tunes and cheap words. Here strength" and "dignity" put up their warning hand and call for a return to the hymns which are in keeping with the traditions of our Church.

Fortunately our hymn books are full of hymns which beautifully and reverently express the Gospel. Some of them have come down through the years and others are of more recent origin. All of them spring from a vital experience of the love and grace of God. They are usually set to tunes which are in keeping with the words and --which add their own appeal to the message of the hymn. Multitudes both in our own Church and in other denominations have come to love these hymns and find constant inspiration in their use.

In spite of the satisfaction derived from the use of these familiar hymns, one should never be. fully content. A seeking spirit should be part of our hymnic experience. The Church is a living organism, and like all living things grows and changes. This realization is the ground for the use of new hymns which spring out of contemporary Christian experience, and express the aspirations of Christian believers as they face new situations and responsibilities. Happily many new hymns or high quality have been added to the life of the Church, and the choicest of these are finding their way into hymn books and worship services. The Hymn Society of America, for example, has published in recent years over 100 new hymns on various themes, a gratifying number of which are coming into general use.

Hymns rank high in the music of our churches. Let us see that they are worthy of the beauty and the richness of the Gospel which it is our privilege to accept and proclaim.