When you hear our choir sing it you
will say it is the most powerful sermon you have ever heard within these
walls."
"Who is the composer?" I asked excitedly, my curiosity thoroughly
aroused.
"My dear fellow," replied Dr. F., "before telling its history, you must
see the proofs I have in my possession, for I shall have to relate one
of the most remarkable stories you have ever heard. So strange indeed
are the circumstances connected with that old Service that I have kept
them to myself, lest people should think me an eccentric musician. Our
late Dean knew part of them and witnessed some of the things I shall
tell you. The story will take some little time, but if you will come
across to my house you shall hear it and also see the proofs I hold in
my possession."
II.
We went direct from the cathedral into the library of Dr. F.'s house,
where, without wasting any time, he produced a roll of manuscript and
gave it me to read.
It was tied up neatly with tape and enclosed in another sheet of paper,
which bore the date January, 1862, and a note in the Doctor's
handwriting stating that he had discovered it in an old chest in the
cathedral library.
The document itself was yellow with age and was headed:
"Certain remarkable passages relating to the death of the late
Ebenezer Jenkins, sometime organist of this cathedral, obiit April
3, 1686; related by John Gibson, lay clerk.
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