Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1854-11-17
INTERCEPTED DESPATCH.

INTERCEPTED DESPATCH.
In obedience to the commands of your
Internal Highness, have the honor to
report the progress and present state OF
the important enterprise committed to me,
namely, that of obtaining control Of the
church music of America, and subverting
it to the service of your Highness. In
performing this duty, l am able to con-
gratulate your Highness on the progress
which has already been made, and the
bright prospects for the future. 1t has
been necessary to proceed with some eau
tion in this work, in order to avoid, as far
as possible, alarming those righteous per-
sons who, acknowledging no allegiance to
your Highness, might otherwise defeat our
purpose 1t affords me satisfaction to re-
port that these are in state Of as entire
torpitudc with regard to the musical por-
ton of church service as could be desired.
In order to quiet their consciences, have
suggested to them, that, as they do not
understand music, they have no duty with
regard to it; that they must leave it to
those who have knowledge. With little
caution 1 believe that your Highness has
nothing to fear from them. They seem
quite willing that you should shape their
music as you please.
1 have the honor of reporting that the
introduction of opera-singers into church
choirs, desired by your Highness, has been
So we'll accomplished that there is even a
competition among congregations as to
who shall secure them. The secularizin g
of church music has steadily progressed,
with marked effect Of furthering your High
ness ends. Opera airs, dances, and negro
airs, have from time to time beer, cautious
ly, introduced with impunity. 1t was
necessary to move with much circumspcc-
tion at first, and accordingly I attempted
only some airs whose secular associations
we're not so unmistakably on your High
ness side as mi ght otherwise have been
desirable. 1t is true that some stubborn
foes have opposed warning voice, but l
have raised against them the cry of "fana-
ticism," "illiberality," etc. l have askedif
"the devil should have all the good music?"
and similar questions, which have often
silenced your foes. Your Highness will
l trust, excuse this liberty with your august
name, in consideration Of my loyal pur-
pose.
The introduction of as much as possible
of your Highness' favorite school of music,
the theatrical and its adjuncts, has not
been lost sight Of l have reported the
successful introduction Of opera singers in
the place of the Asaphs, Hermons, and
Jeduthans, as leaders of the worship Of
those who have withdrawn from the as
semblies of your Highness. The considc-
ration of the disapprobatiou with which
your Enemy must regard such worship can
not fail to be of infinite satisfaction to your
Iiighness. As the number Of this class Of
public singers is small, it is Of course i'm
possible that many churches should be
supplied with them. l am, however,
in similar work whose results
promise to be much more extensive. This
is the general introduction of the opera as
church music. An important step in this
has been attained in the insertion
in books psal,n-.uncs recently published
of various familiar airs, as well as dances,
waltzes, etc. 1t has, Of course, been neces-
sary to affix to them sacred words, as yet;
but the time may soon come when even
these may be dispensed with, and words
more congenial to your Highness' taste be
introduced. Meanwhile 1 have the salts
faction Of reporting that even now the
words are not very important, from the
fact that the majority Of church goers give
heir chief attention to the music. This
lbsorbs their attention SO completely that
when it is Of sufficiently light and frivo-
lous character, and especially is surrounded
with secular associations, your Highness
has little to fear from words.
In addition to this I am happy to state
hat there are some who openly advocate
music without any words at all, holding up
he idea that art is the principal object Of
and that perfection in art is the
great thing to which all efforts in church
music should be directed. That your ma
esty will approve ofthis sentiment I doubt
not, since whatever tends to dethrone Deity
must hare favorable influence in your
Highness' cause.
The practical benefits Of having the
operatic and dance-music and singers in tho
church, will at once occur to your High