The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1855-06-07


ducing combination Of sounds agreeable TO
the ear. AS an art its history may be traced
from the days of Adam, 10 whose period il
is said "ihere lived one who was the father
of all such as handle The harp In all ages
and among all tribes, il seems 10 have oc.
cupied a prominent position, being held as a
part of religious worship, both BY pagans
and christians; even the uniutored savage
has dispelled his griefs and cares by this
gracious boon of heaven. Indeed when we
consider lis mysterious effects and Influences
on the mind, IFS ubiquiiy and exalted nature,
we must be LOST 10 all the finer feelings Of
humanity il a conviction Of its importance
be not impressed upon us. II is remarka-
BILE fact that the accomplished minstrel"
can touch and sway the hearts Of friend and
Zoe nor can The savage beast of The forest
Withstand his power, but losing his ferocious
nature is rendered harmless as lamb.
B, his magic power crowded mulIiiudes
have been rapt 10 awe and melted into one.
He can excite mirih or create sadness--he
can rouse a spirit of revenge, or inspire our
hearts with feeling of gratitude and love-
Che is master of the soul and sways il at
pleasure.n So powerful are the effects Of
music, tha, man and beast have been known
TO expire under the violent agilations pro-
duced by it, Sacred music has favorable
influence on the moral ard intellectual pow.
ers Of man. He must be stupid indeed, who
would not have some pure desire or holy
thought awak ened in his heart, by hearing
neof Zion's rich songs, sci 10 a soul stirring
melody. Marin Luther was both COM
poser and apractical musician. Whitefeld
and the Wesleys were noted for their musi-
cal talent. Bacon required its aid in his pro-
found investigations, and Milton il is said
was indebted to his organ for much Of his
deplh and spiendor lis swells and explo-
sive tones, IFS intervals and variations, lis
noisy choruses and silent rests, lis major and
minor moods, its grave aud presto move
menis, are calculated 10 ''reaoh and play up-
no every chord Of the human soul"
But lei Us notice its ubiquity as exhibited
throughout the works of Creation, Music,
harmony and order seem 10 preyade the
universe. If we take our position by some
!. forest, whose tall, dead trunks look like vast
orgap pipes, We can hear every variety Of
movement and combination of harmony
The woian mutmur which the north wind
wakes among the ireetops, will fiji US for
quiet and heavenly meditation. The ring
ing soprano of The whistling tempest and The
thunder bass OF the sky are calculated to in.
! spire our hearts with reverence and awe
while the moumful minors OF the sinking
breeze and the lowing OF cattle produce sad
ness and heayiness of soul. Sill greater
emotions are awakened in the mind, when
approaching beautiful grove on spring
morn, jus, as the silver edge of The sun is
shooting lis rays parallel 10 the eastern hor-
izon, and The clarion notes of thousand
fealhered songsters fall upon the ear as they
Join in one harmonious concert TO welcome
the "harbinger of day.o All nature seems
10 catch The theme and Ieverberates itlhrough
her vast domains. Its exalted nature may
he inferred from the Important occasions on
which itwas used, We learn tha, when the
earth was created forthe abode Of a new
race OF beings 'ths morning stars sang to-
gether and all the sons Of the most high
shouted for joy.n The immortal Milton, re.
! fering to This, beautifully represents The Mes.
slab returning from his six days work in
these lines:--
Cup he rode
| Followed with aeclamaton and the sound
! Symphonious Of ten thousand harps thattuned
Angelic harmonies; The earth, the air resound.
IL, ed,
! The heavens and all the consultations rung,
The planets IN their stations listening stood,
While the bright pomp ascended jubilant.
/ Open ye heavens, We living doors.
Lei in tho great Creator from his work re-
! turned, t AZ
Magnificent, his six days work, world
] Atlhe incarnation of the redeemer choi
Of angels appeared to the shepherds watch
ing their flocks by night, singing Hosanna le
| The highest peace on earth and good will TO
ward man. We may infer from these iteml
! that music occupies a high position among
The things that minister 10 the happiness ant
comfort OF our race. Were ii otherwise III,
| Creator would not have bestowed, it SO plen
liiuly throughout his works. When there
tore we consider its mysteries, operation
and effects that we are endowed with facul
| ties capable ofproducing these effects whel
we remember thatit is stamped on all ma
1 lnrs's works, and finally when we conside
4 that il is not merely mans interest, but III
| theme OF angels, il becomes us as raliopa
and accountable beings to cultivate our mind
and Gain our voices in order that we maj
be enabled to join The anthems of redeemipl
love when time shall be no more.
~ An lrishman, on being told TO grease
| the wagon, returned in about Q quarter Of AZ
hour afterwards, and said; pve graiz's