The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1859-11-23
MISCELLANEOUS.
A Choir St0ry.

"A CnOlr Story
An exchange paper publishes the follow
ing very readable story about "choir" mu-
sic in Western church:
The choir in the west, has had very
severe struggle for life, especially in Netho-
dist churches. The old style was "bro-
ther' to lead the singing" while the hymn
was lined by the minister. No song mono
poly there. No operate fee far fam.
In 1914 the action Of the General Con-
ference was such as to lead to the formation
of the Methodist Church South, and, under
Dr. Sehon, a Southern Church was organ
lied in Cincinnati, and its place Of worship
known as Soule Chapel. The first Gene
raj Conference Of the new organization was
held in Petersburg, Va, and large num-
Der Of delegates" spent the Sabbath pre-
ceding in Cincinnati, and worshippcd at
Soule Chapel. On the Sabbath, the not
ed DR.. (now Bishop Pierce was to preach
the morning sermon, and expectation stood
on tip-toe. The house was crowded. The
singing was led by that prince of choris-
tiers, John G--n; and by his side sat his
honor, John Mclean, who joined heartily
in the worship. After the opening service,
the pastor stepped to Bishop Soule, and
asked him if he would enter the pulpit and
conduct the concluding services. He de-
clined, and suggested DIR. H--r, an an
tique little man, with sharp features set as
tride sharp nose, sharp cut coatee, and
sharp appearance generally. DR.. Sehon
approached him and said, in low tones:
CDR II, will you conduct the clos
ing exercises -
"Yes, sah," was the response showing
the effect of association upon his dialect;
and entering the pulpit, he took his seat.
The sermon was all that could have been
desired; it more than met the expectations,
and the preacher sat down amidst great ex-
citement.
Dr. seemed to think that an ex-
hortation from himself would be glorious
climax and briskly arising, hymn-book in
hand, advanced to the front of the pulpit,
and, with his peculiar pronunciation, be-
gan:
To him who brought US here to
This lovely Sabbath morning.
On, the chorister, never dreamed
of an exhortation after the sermon; and
catching the lines as DIR. Il read
them, found them fourth particular metre
ed the tune SO often sung to that glorious
old hymn.
''Comc my partners in distress"
Louder and louder rolled his clear, strong
voice over that sea of heads:
'.Iiow thankful, friends, ought we to be- dc.
Poor DR.. was bewildered Turn
ing to DR.. Sehon, he said
"Sah, they are singing my exhortation y
"Neyer mind" said Sehon, whose face
always rubicund, was seven times rcdder
than its wont; ''neyer mind; wait till
they re through"
''But, sab, they are singing my exhorta-
ton ~
By this time John and the Judge were
through, repeat and all. and looked up most
patiently for DR.. H to "give out more"
lie, however, looked at them steadily, and
laid down his book, saying
We'll, you're the greatest singers here
ever heard! You not only sing mans
hymn, but you sing his exhortation too
Let's Pray"
How fervently the ministers and audience
joined in that prayer may be imagined
DR.. Sehon forgot his notices; and they do
say that to this day G--n insists that ex-
hortations, if ever SO good, ought not to be
set to "two-eighths and one-sixth."