Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 239, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 October 1912 — Birds in Church Service [ARTICLE]

Birds in Church Service

Novel Idea of a Pastor Adds Greatly to Harmonies of the Choir and Congregation. Venice, A. Y. —Canaries, caroling an unusual accompaniment to, the organ and choir, were used in the Venice Union church the other night as an aid to righteousness. The pastor, the Rev, Fenwicke L. Holmes, decided to surprise his flock with the unique plan. The congregation accordingly filed Into a church brightened by the melody of a dozen prett# yellow birds. Imported from Germany, their cages swinging at advantageous points high above the heads of the worshipers. The canaries interrupted the Rev. Holmes* sermon very little. But when the choir and the congregation arose to sing hymns, the feathered songsters burst forth into musical cadences which greatly enhanced the human praisee of the Creator. The Rev. Mr„ Holmes does not Imow that canaries were ever used before at church services, but he thinks them a great help to sincere worship. They will be used every Bunday hereafter.