St. Austin, who was originally a monk at Rome, and was sent about the
year 596, by Gregory I. at the head of forty other monks, to convert
the English to Christianity, was the first who introduced chanting in
the Divine Service, which is still continued in our cathedrals. His
desire was to induce converts; and he strove, not only by argument,
to effect his object, but by every other laudable means he could
devise; hence he endeavoured, as much as possible, to render the
Divine Service interesting, as well as instructive. This practice of
chanting, or singing, made rapid increases. Our Saxon forefathers were
so enthusiastically fond of it, that one continued strain was kept up
night and day, by a succession of priests; even their penances could
be redeemed by the singing of a certain number of Psalms, or by a
frequent repetition of the Lord’s Prayer. He was very successful in his
endeavours, and, among others, King Ethelbert himself became a convert.
St. Austin resided principally at _Durovernum_, (Canterbury,) and died
May 26, 607.