Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1858-03-24
Dsbpts1 to Gsmqsgarss, giitsratnre,
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA,

the voice Indispensable to singing, is not
only wholesome for the lungs, but also fits
and prepares them for the noble art of dec
lamation and oratory.
Imagine too, what an influence this svs-
TEN would exert upon our church music
wnen almost every one in the congre-
CATION is prepared to. join in with the choir
IN sacred ascriptiens Of praise to Almigh-
ty God. Oh! who has not felt the power
and influence of music in Divine Worship?
1t soEtens- and solemnizes the mind, in
spires and transports the soul with holy
feelings and emotions, and prepares it for
the reception of the sublime truths of the
Gospel and. it is nevertheless a most la
mentable fact, that this beautiful part of
our public worship is very imperfectly
performed III consequence of a general
want of of musical knowledge. What an
immense amount of good too, would
moreegeneral prevalence of music be cal
culated to do, by making home more in
teresting and attractive, and thus aiverting
the minds of boys from vice and dissipa-
ton; for it is well known that the minds
OF the young will become fatigued with the
dull and monotonous routine of everyday
studies, and in the absence of other legiti-
mate sources of amusement, are too apt to
seek indulgence in some of the various
forms of vice and dissipation on this view
of the subject; for there ale others besides
sons, WHOSE destinies for veal or woe, are
| lnseparably connected with home, its infu-
ences, It's attractions, its capacities to salts
| ty the capricious longings, and to direct
and control the wild and wayward fall
ings and inconsistencies of the human soul.
Sons daughters, wives and husbands are
all interested in this matter; if you esti-
mae, if you would cherish, if you would
preserve inyiolate the sacred enjoyments
and endearments. of home, make it lovely,
make It attractive, make it happy. And
what, | would ask, next to the mild infiu-
ences of the Holy Gospel. is so well calcu-
lated tomake home interesting, attractive
and happy as the soft and suasive voice of
music; like the dew-drop's gentle kissupon
the pale petal of the diving flower, it
steals sweetly over the desponding, droop-
ing soul and breathes into it life,
freshness and beauty. Oh that parents
would properly estimate the importance of
this matter and seek to render their
homes more agreeable and attractive, by
adding to the education of their sons and
4 daughters the refined and elegant accom-
plishments of music. But / forbear, for
volumes could be written in support and
defense, CT this subject. I may at some
future time say something more in regard
to this matter but the length of this ar
ticie forbids my doing so now. | will con-
clude by urging on citizens to delay no
time in remedying so great defect OF our
social system; and | appeal to parents to
enter their sons as well as daughters TO
music schools and also appeal to our
young men and young ladies and to all In
deed whedo not understand music, to lose
no time in availing themselves of this most
elegant accomplishment, for there is nc
. !. doubt but that We would all be better and
: happier in consequence of it. And Iwould
! invoke the Press and our influential citi
: = zens to give this matter the sanction Of
> their approval and appreciation for l YER
e lily believe it would tend, to great ex
: tent, to restore to our city its wonted spir
: it and bnoyancy, and dispel the cherries
!. menotonous gloom that has so long brood
: : ed over it. Our city was not so unmusica
: in by-gone days;
l. soft in the Silly night"
1t was heard the wild and rapturous strain
d of music borne out upon the soft and lam
n bent bosom of moonlight air, cheering tn
l. heart and enlivening the soul.
al In conclusion, wish only to add, that
r, understand E. A. Whitaker, Esq, nativ
I'd of Raleigh, and young gentleman of dc
he cided musical attainments and talents, is no
Sc engaged in this City in giving musical il
ne structions and wishes permanently to locat
re himself here, for the purpose of teaching
ne purely musical school; SO l have no dout
re but that those unconnected with any of ii
n schools here who may desire to study mi
g, sic, will find Mr. Whitaker to be an eff
D. cient and attentive teacher.
sir Raleigh, March 11th, 1858.
n