, 1861-02-13


Editors Chicago Tribune:
The writer Of diocesan intelligence in the
Record, Of Feb. 1st, appears very gleeful over
what &c seems to have established as settled
fact, the Punishment Of the quastette choir in
"St. James," Chicago. As there are two sides
toeyery question, and different tastes IL music,
and as you have lent the columns Of the TIL
BCSE to express one side, claim your indul-
gence to be heard for the other
In all works Of art, 1t is Inconsistent to re-
trogade. Music, in particular, has taken such
strides in advancement since the time.honored
fayorite tunes Of several generations past
which the writer a1ludes to, that 1t is irnpossi-
Bile for the present age to rest satisfied with
such music.
Music Is cultivated In almost every family in
our country. more thoroughly, and 1T greater
expense than any other art NE are told from
the sacred desk that all our faculties should
be cultivated directly OF indirectly to glorify
God, If 60, ought we not to go up to His
house with ont best efforts?
4 choir of thirty, forty, or fifty, perhaps
might be procured from congregation, with
much practice, which could lead the music Of
said congregation to the satisfaction Of the
most artistic ear; but the practice necessary
for such result is wholly impractssable In
most instances. Then how much better the
small choir Of practiced musicians, who can
lead the prnises Of the sanctuary in manner
suited to the varied expressions OF cET ser"
yices Where is the de;2tion inspired from i
large choir Of undiscfplined singers, whose
fa fsty.
in making the most noiscs Where il OUT
sublime Gloria IN Ezcel,i:," our We Dex,n,' -
our we'll rendered chants, our sentences 1t the
opening Of the service, which we enjoyed in
| tie Quartettc choir which the writer denouncos
as operaticf I have been constant attendant
at St. James for several years, and have nerer
| yet heard anything approaching operatlc
music. Such illusions reflect dtstastefn}ly
| upon Mrs. BostWick's quartette choir. One
| only needs to hear her chant tbs praises OF
onr service, to be impressed with the devotion
! with which she performed her task-no, not
:..sk-:but In the spirit Of the true disciple did
5Ae breathe its strain3 to lead the cangregs.
tipn far more ettectua}4y than o mixed choir,
4 clergyman Of our church is said to hnre
| been 10 Impressed with the bad influence ol
| Indifferent music upon his congregation, that
he forbade voluntary to he played at the scr
vice unless eeu played. 4fa badly performed
| voluntary Is so instrumental in preventing tht
| good seed taxing TOOL, What must pc the Eaz
ari at the close Of IN impressive sermon which
| we always get in st. Ja,nes',"to be carried
| QYer to ''Gfecnland's Icy Mountains on sucl
| waves Of discord, that incline you to flee fruu
the Sanctuary as you would from oza ot shost
Joy peaks?
4 volunteer choir are entitled to our thank
for their zeal and effort, and the blood Of 10 !:
so infused in my Veins that respect the hi
Iitla syste1n even In church choir, bnt for ac
| ri fp81l3Hr frn1flH
us back our quartettc Choir Of IS and 80, ant
I believe speak the sentiments Of very lary
portion Of ''St. james congregation.
A ACQXMUNICANT.