Hymns of days past were mini lessons condensed into poetry, which, with its richness of meaning, helped both communicate the message to the people and preserve it in their minds - and hearts, for it is that at which music excels. Modern church music, then, ought to do the same. What is the use of the old hymns' music? It is no longer the music of the age. It endows their messages with a stateliness - a majestic nobility - that inspires an awe, and adherence or obedience through that awe, rather than an acceptance and incorporation through sympathy. Alas, "modern" church music all too often lacks the depth and meaning of the old hymns. our goal, then, is to mate modern music that catches with meaning-laden lyrics, and to install such music in the church.