The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1861-02-26 00:00:00

SACRED AND SECULAR MUSIC.

A very intervstinz lectuie was delivered OD this sub
jeet at the Townball, on Wednesday evening last, by
Raymond Orke. H.q., of Lymington, • gentleman of
great muaical talent. The Atte:A.4lms WWI larger than
we have seen for some time past at the Institute lectures,
and we cannot but think that if subjects of • pleasing
awl instructive nature were chosen the inhabitants of
liorchu etcricould not fail to appreciate them. The chair
was occupied by the Key. W. Barnes, who after • few
remarks introilinwl the lecture to the meeting.

Mr. OMC 14.1 his object in coming amongst them
that evening WAS to raise sacred music in the estimation
of the people. In the millions of voices on this earth
there was a characteristic tone of expression, as in the
neighing of • horse, the bark of a dog, and the bleating
of a sheep-fold, hut music was reserved for man and for
his future existence. What was magic? Dr. Johnson,
who knew no more of music than the man in the moon,
gave its meaning as" A science of sounds." That, how-
ever, WAS not true, there was • deeper, more exprea. ve

meaning than that furnished by Dr. JOlllllOO. The

op,rit of music WWI not confined to those who sing and
to them who play. There must bean immense amount
of musical element in those who make musical instru•
mew.. His point which he had to prove that night wee
that mode was made for man. They ceuld nt't, dislike
they were hound to love it, for there was a
heaven to come, the principal occupation of which, he
mid, was music. What was the voice, but 'Doak full
of cadences and changes. There were many people who
mid they could not 'Mg, simply bee use they hove never
tried. Few persons could swim, but every peraon who
tried to swim Noon overcame all dill shies,
and singing and swill' ttt tt g stood much upon
the sine footing. He would venture to bay
that if any person would wine to Lim and pay at•
taition ti the matter, he would make him
sing. He then passed on to notice the setond point
that the voice of man is distinct from that of woman,
another proof of the wouilerful design of the Creator.
Man's voice, lie said, was lierpetually changing. When
• boy grows ill, his voice changes, or, as it is called.
'break." It then falls into another tone, but a
woman's voice remains the same to the latest hour of
her life. If it were not for this change on the iart of
the man's voice the beauty of choral harmony would be
entirely lad, hut the Almighty had wisely ordered our
voiies to change to alto, tenor, and base, which enabled
them to sing with that harmony which every one
admirea. The questions which force themselves upon
our notice is, why in sacred music the best, and why is
it preferred? There wait not s person in that room, he
would venture to may, who did not believe sacred music
to be the best. The reason, he lelieved, was that it
arose from its being connected with the house of God.
Ile then related several interesting narratives of the
power of sacred music on the mind of man, and drew
the attention of his hearers to them remarkable passages
in the Bible referring to the power of music. One of
them runs tin,—" And it came to pass when the evil
lairit was upon Saul, that David took his harp and
nil.yed, anti so Saul was refreshed and was well." The
i,thee passage to which lie would refer went to show
that when the prophet Elijeh was asked Pi advise on •
certain matter lie said, " Bring me • minstrel," and
when the minstrel hal played, he said " Thus saith
the Lord." From these remarkable passages they would
e the power which Music exercised on the mind of
mu. Ho then played on the harmonium a simple tune
by Sphor, the great composer, showing the difference
that existed when • tune was played with chords and
when played without such chords. After clearly
proving that sonic of the mimic set to secular words
could with propriety and ad vantoge be adapted to sacred
verse, and after some other interesting remarks end
wh'eh for want of apace we are unable to
aim), I.e concluded by reciting the following beautiful
lines on " Music."

" There's music in the ocean, there's ninsic in the air,
in ever peaceful miunton, in every valley fair ;
There', music in the thunder, there's music in the calm.
As to the weary travellor.fanned by thefeathering palm.
There'e music in the foe t, there's mimic in the plain,
In the rustling of the harsest, the rich refreshing rain.
"There's music in the firmament, in sun, and moon,
and star,
In every living element, &vomit us and afar :
In wind and wave and waterfall, in voice of beast and
bird,
Be hearts en,l senses musical, sweet ineloly is heard,—
The melody of Nature, the universal tongue,
Which to the great Creator eternal praise bath sung.
" In heaven, in heaven, there's music, the language of
the blest
The voice of God is music, it echoes in the breast !
. . . .

-
And shall it not Retaken a deep and loud response
Within that breast forsaken by hope nod innocenoe !
Shell m.n alone he silent throughout all time and apace,
Redeemed and yet reluctant to praise redeeming grain !"

On the motion of the chairman. vote nf thanks was
unanimoudv given to the lecturer for the intellectual
treat he had afforded. The harmonium. which was
one of remarkalile sweetness of tone, was furnished
from the establishment of our townsruan, We. J.
Robinson.