Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-12-10

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means turtle .dopss-egceyfing viii us don't
know Why We should have been biest in The par
ucular above ell other people; but sure ] am
that sueh an smiabe company never were gath.
cred together asgrace our singing seats. Sug.
gestons from the leader, or from the pastor and
people are never received by them with an ele
walton Of the nasal organ; oh no. Humility and
lack Of self.apprecislion are their chief cbarac-
teristics The sopranos have the highest opinion
Of each others powers; and when the voice Of
one "a praised to another. she does not shfug her
shoulders and say: Y e s--but il il pity she
hasn't more euftiUafion;" or when the cultiva-
ton Il undoubted 4" il il pity she hasn't more
uoics;" neither i there the least jealousy among
them when one Is promoted above another 10 the
matter Of seats. or to sing tho solos-their coun
tenances rather beamng with delight, that they
have been 20 fortunate as 10 get of from such
conspicuousness The altos. too. most ami
able az Is generally the case with them, their
part being secondary one. and they only vie
with each other TO which shall be excused
from undue prominence on special occasions.
The tenors, also. are particularly modes, in
their opinion Of themselves, greatly wondering
how the leader came TO think them worthy OF so
high position i'm the world; and the basses ac-
ocpt their low place ia the scale with infinite
grace. With choir combining such unusual
. qualities. 1 am confident that any little hfts or
suggestions which might be offered would be
We'll feceifcQ. 81, l nave iDuUl ~ was tAfecl-
ingls easy to find fault with this kind of public
worship; and il is very doubtful whether those
who are most apt 10 do so would not discover
that Il difficult task TO do any better
themselves. as did the deacon. who imagined u
was dothing 70 preach. until one Sunday. when
he tried IL.
have 20 hesitation in saving. however that
II has occurred 10 me that more general at
tendance upon the rehearsals on Saturday night,
By those most apt 10 be absent, viz: the ones
whose cultivation 10 would be the excess of char
itnpot 10 doubt. would greatly promote the har
hvhy Of the songs OF Zion on the sabbath
CHANGING in at these rehesrsAls occasionally.
have sometimes gone away perfectly sure that
the music the next day would be excellent when
10. and behold. certain voices not in the pro-
gramme the previous evening appear on the
tapis and fearful discords drop here and
there, greatly jarriug upon the nerves Of those
hearers who are at all sensitive. and bringing
the whole choir into disgrace. Not 10 be pres
ent 10 receive the benefit OF thorough drilling.
aud vet be on hand like hot cakes. the next
morning. 10 spoil the music OF the faithful few
Il doing the latter abominable injustice.
We are blessed far above most country con
gregations in having splendid organ of great
sweetness and power, the society finally consent
ing 60 haveos introduced into our new church,
provided il shoul cost them nothing. though one
man said. in the society's meeting. he should OBJ
e "
bell stOpped The money 10 purchase the or
gan therefore. raised by subscription, and as
he who love, and appreciates music is far moro
= apt 10 have noble aud liberal soul than he who
does not, IL will surprise no one 10 know that
those who gave most besides their tax to the
new house OF worship. led OF on the subscription
list to the organ person who was called
upon for this last object however, demurred
from subscribing 10 IL account OF the large
sum he had already given to the church. saying
the more he gave the more he was importuned TO
give, and Suggesting that those who had been
less free with their money for the church
should give the organ. lie was soon
brought TO reason. however, by being
reminded OF the nan who, when asked
why he beat the OK that drew instead OF
the one that didn't, replied that he always wished
10 use the whip where IL would do some good
Several individuals among Us OF enlarged views
were bitterly opposed TO such innovation as
the organ, though they had once considered big
adde's little fiddies. and flutes excellent promo
tiers ct devotion. and not undignihed
instruments for public worship Others OBJ
jected greatly to voluntares disturbing de-
vosionl feelinssi and to preludes and intcrludes
as doing ditto; but our organist won over several
OF this class one Sabbath, soon alter the organ
was set up, unintentionaly. il is true, but very
successfully lie was 50 unfortunate or rather
fortunate, as 10 have severe headache, and
played some minor passages in his best style. be
fore church commenced. expressive of his misery,
whereupon the voluntary haters we're frank
enough to confess THAT such music couldn't be
beat, and made them feel real good" Thence
forth the organist had only occasionally 10 i'm
agine misery in HE head. and express il feeling
ly on the organ. TO keep them always friendly
perhaps .
our present choir are so remarkably smiable,
ali, 81 sha n thoc
who in this capacity have not always had this
name; but have come TO the conclusion that IL
must be because they live SO much nearer the
millennium than did their predecessors Certain
j, is that in old times the fuses in the singing
seats often shook the church TO is yery founda-
tons. On one occasion early in this century
the young people in the congregation becoming
entirely Disguised with the old iogy singing up
stairs. which clung TO Near, Old Hundred, and
other kindred tunes, o. regular stand bys, en-
gagged teacher, and after perfecting themselves
In many new pieces, COMPOUNDED the old choir by
taking complete possession OF their seats one
Sunday morning before their arrival Imagine the
feelings of the latter when they were obliged TO
yield 70 the fact that possession is nine points Of
The law and scatter themselves below, TO listen
20 the best singing that had been heard in the
church for many day. A fierce war waged for
some time between the old choir and the nes
pirsnts, but finally the latter with their superior
qualifications, carried the day. On another oc
casion the whole choir vacated, because their
seats were changed: but il was by means dit
6cult 10 supply their places by the next Sabbath
At one time leader. with tal gannt figure.
and precious little musical ability save in his
own estimation, set up that the choir should SIT
dorm while singing. The choir thought this at
titude might perhaps dotoI man SIX fee, IN bis
stockings, il he liked il. but il not the mos,
favorable position for developing the best tones
of the voice, and stood their ground. The lead
e. retired below in disgust. and the ears OF the
congregation were thus spared much suffering.
Truly, there is 70 accounting for crotehets
that will get into singers heads, Ii is always
Gnfavorable for-the influence of minister, when
he becomes involved 10 a difficulty with a choir
or its leader. \ certain chorister of scknow-
lodged taste and skill in music much offend
Ell by the clergyman's giving on, verses IN
" Watts aud Select " that grated upon the ears
and were Jaw breakers FOR the singers. aud he in
variably requested the choir soto rocc 70 omit
such. This reused the minister. ~ it was trench
ing upon his rights; and on ODe occasion when il
had occurred, after reading the hymn he looked
NJ the choir pointedly. and severely said " loH
may sing ertTg sisRsa' Now. unfortunately
there happened 10 be 4 verse in Il about dragons
roaring aud lions tearing. or something similar;
and the choFister. much reused told the choir %
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