The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1848-06-24
Moral Readings.
III Pay My Rent in Music.


So sung our gifted American songtress, in
the name Of the thrush and so let the voice of
NIL human beings respond, in their own behalf
Not solely in the music productivity keys and
strings and curious mechanism; not even in the
sweet tones Of that higher instrument,t the hu.
mnn voice; for mere sounds, however melodi-
Gus they may be, can never discharge the solid
indebtedness which most of us are under as
tenants Of society.
Are you a suffering invalid, requiring much
care and unpleasant services from those around
you? "Puy your rent in" the emusic" of u
patient, cheerful spirit, placid countennnce,
self-con rol from immodernte exhibitions of
distress under acute suffering, and endeavor to
avoid giving trouble, and as far as you are ca
pable, an agreeable department and entertain
ing society. OF many has il been said, while
they were subjects Of long continued sickness,
that il was pleasure to attend upon them, so
patient, so grateful, 30 agreeable were they
"Pay your rent in music while you occupy
the sick chamber, and you greatly Tighten the
task of others, MS well rs your own burden, and
secure TO yourselfready and abundant services
Are you aged, infrm, decrepit, helplessi
aPuy your rent in" the same emusic" which
onlivens the sick room, and in that of gurnered
up-oxpercnccs and wisdom, ofthose stories of
sold times which the young so well like TO
hear, the instructive or remarkable incidents
which have stampede long life, and in an en-
deavor 10 yield somewhat to changing times,
and 10 avoid those disagreeable failngs some
times attendant upon age; these, when kindly
and cheerfully put forth by the aged, are mu-
sic TO the heart to those that attend upon them
and tend TO cncrcle them with atmosphere
ofhurmony. yet were ] here speaking to the
young, ] would say, respect and defer to the
fixed habits of the aged, and remember that il
is emphatically your duty to yioId, in your in
tercourse with seniors as well as superiors.)
Are you n busy, toiling mother and mistress
of fdmily? Create music in your habitaton,
10y n contcnted spirit-PaticHce you cannot do
without genial kindness of manner, and be-
nevolent care for all who are dependent upon
you; sympathy in the troubles and pleas ures
ofchiidrcn, and readiness to further the happ-
ness ofall within your influence. So shall
you have overpnid your rent in music Of the
choicest kind, and have tuned the strings of
all The hearts whose beatngs you command.
Are you a daughter? You can "pay your
rent in music" which shall cause q fathers
and a mothers heart to sing for joy. The do
Gle, confdinr, grateful spirit, the sprightli-
ness and elasticity and grace of youth, joined
with the gcnteness and delicacy which are
woman's glory, the. assiduity to Tighten the
tolls as well as swceten the cares of life, for
hose who toll and care for you, all of which a
daughter worthy of the name, viii exemplify
n herself-these will set and keep in tune
n harp OF thousand strings.
You are 4 sister, too and the strain of mus
sic which you awaken will be caught By n
brother, and win constitute charm attaching
MIN to homo--a young mans safest refuge
from the worlds enticoments. Do you owe
nothing TO hni'
And the son and brother-in the vigor and
activity OF youth, and yet with manlness of
purpose and uprightness of principle, how may
he give out and evolve the richest tones ofthe
heart, and fill the domestic circle with the no
Dlest strains. He is the respectful yet unrc
strained companion of his father, the symPa- /
thizing counsellor and ready aid ofhis mother, |
abe confidential and strong arm of his sister,
Che common ally, the'Play-mate, and the pro-
tector of all the younger members Of the do
Incstic flock.
Then the children-surely they F'Pay their
rent in music" Aye, they pay II in noise,
most certainly; and if it be not in real music,
is or has been the parents fault. Full of life
and glee they are; hopeful and helpful, if they |
are not perverted; and with music in their
hearts music in their faces, music on their lips.
and music in ali their motions, they pay their
rent, and make the house better, for having been
{ is inmates.
Does the husband and father owe rent?
And can he make music in payment All!
sad and married will be the harmony in that
household where its chief member awakes no
strain, or touches only jnrring notes And
what thrilling vibrations of tender joyous mu-
sic can he send through every fibre of that
heart which has given itselfto his keeping by |
a well timed manifestation offorbearance and |
sympathy and Election, in the numberless cares
and sorrows which fall to the lot of the wife
and mother And how can he give life and
Joy to the whole fireside circle, by his words
of wisdom, tempered with kindness, his play
fulness, combined with due dignity, his cheer
funess in supplying to those under his control
every proper means of qualification and his
ready participation in all that concerns their
interests. Yes, husband and father-pay thy
rent, too, in .-.UotherS Journal.
Il