The New York herald., 1868-03-08


Sunday is among Christians, and particu-
larly in this country, a day set aside for the
worship of God and for religious exercises,
and on this day the most ardent business man
disengages his mind from the cares and absorb
ing study of his profession or calling. Religion
claims this day as her own, and few in this
city will contradict her right. The question,
then, is, how should Sunday be spent? First
of all, every respectable member Of society is
supposed to belong to some church, and
will go there to thank the great Creator for
blessings received and to ask Him for fresh
favors This is an indsputable fact and may
be received as such. The next question is,
what is the best and most grateful means at
the disposal of every one in this city to accom-
plish this end? A few years ago we had
nothing in New York to attract us from home
on Sundays but long -winded sermon, which
was much better when read than heard. Now
we have music. In our principal churches we
hear the best compositions of European and
American composers rendered by the proper
materials, both in voices and instru-
ments. In Catholic churches we Have
the highest form of sacred music
the masses of Beethoven, Mozart, Haydn and
Cherubini In Episcopalian churches we have
these works in an English form, set off with the
grandest ideas of American and English COM
posers. The churches of other denominations,
regard to church music, adopt the same music,
although in a different form. The old Puri-
tanic notions that music was profane and
unsuited to the worship Of God have nearly
all died out, and now the choir is necessary
department of every church. In some of our
leading churches the best voices in America
may be heard, and the aim of each pastor or
church committee is to secure q good organist.
Still, much remains to be done. The churches
are as a general rule well endowed and well
supported, and as 1t is now evident that every
congregation demands good music the pastors
should not exercise undue parsimony in this
respect. They are content with engaging one
first class artist and surrounding him or her
with very poor ones. Each church should
have as good a choir as concert manager will
highest external form of worship that the
creature can pay to the Creator, and it is an
insult to religion to allow any one in the choir
who Is not true artist.
Sunday concerts have been given at Stein
way Hall for q long time, and they are now
regarded as fixed institution. Harrison
commenced them about two years ago at Irving
Hall and brought them up to high standard,
but he has gone on the operate stage and the
manager Of the hall now conducts them.
Every Sunday night there may be found at
these concerts q great many people whom
nothing on the secular stage could tempt from
their homes, and who go to these concerts as
naturally as they go to church. These con-
certs supply music Of first class order to their
patrons and give native talent chance of
being heard in public. Why do not the
pastors Of our leading churches-nay, of
every church-endeavor to get up Sunday
evening concerts of this kind? There is an
unlimited supply Of musical talent lying dor
mant in this city and II might be pro6tably
ssed in churches as well as in Steinway Hall
for the edifcation Of the public and for the
progress Of music.
II is no use for any deputed or authorized
body Of churchmen to attempt to ignore music
In the service Of religion; for music is one of
the highest expressions Of our dependence on
or praise to the Author Of our being. Let all
the churches, them resound with the praises of
the Most High as the celestial halls vibrate
with the voices and heaven-strung Tyres Of the
millions Of archangels. We might cite hun
dreds Of examples to prove what resistless
agent music Is when brought into the service
Of God, but our natural instincts viii convince
everybody Of the fact.