The Portland daily press., 1869-04-05
THE FIRST PARISH vrsrnn SERVICE.

The FIRST PARISH vEsPER SERvIcE.-
When the Vesper Service was first introduced
into the First Parish Church, the Rev. Mr..
Stebbius, the then pastor, took occasion to
give his views in regard to music, which, as is
well known, constitutes large part of that
service He told his congregation that he
considered music one of the essentials of reli-
gion, and gave many and cogent reasons in
support of his belief. Consequently the Yes
per Service of that Society has become one of
the institutions of Portland, and the choir has
always borne the reputation of being composed
Of the best singers in the city.
Last evening the church was filed to its ut
most capacity by congregation attracted by
the reported excellence OF the Easter music
which was to be repeated. The selections by
the choir embraced the 92d Hymn; the Easter
Hymn, ("Christ has risen,") from the vesper
Book; II know that my Redeemer liveth, and
new "Te Deum" composed by Lloyd We
have never heard the choir do themselves SO
much credit as they did last night. We should
like to speak at length of each selection, but
we have not the space. We shall confine our
selves to the new "Te Deum" and "I know that
my Redeemer liveth," simply saying of the
others that the Easter Hymn was particularly
enjoyed by us, while the 92d Hymn was very
finely rendered.
Mrs. Wetherbee has probably as fine, if not
the finest soprano voice of any singer east of
Boston SO far as regards power, purity of tone
and Interpretation of the score as it is written.
There are severaln doubt who possess sweet
er organ, but they finch from attacking the
very high notes. Mrs. Wetberbee never does.
Her rendering of 81 know that my Redeemer
liveth," was as finished vocal performance as
we ever heard. We happened to shut our eyes
from the glare of the gas just before she COM
menced, and as the first notes struck on our
ear we thought of story we read short time
ago of an American gentleman who was out
late at night, or rather in the early morning, at
London Club, and remarked to an English
friend how he would like to hear the English
sky-lark. Ills friend said. scome with me-"
They went out from the glare and the heat and
the revel Of the Club into the cool air of the
early morn, and rode little distance out of
the town, and then descending fram the car
riage as the dawn was breaking, they heard,
all at once, from out of the perfect stiffness
which surrounded them, the clear, powerful
notes of the little feathered creation pouring
out its food Of melody-a morning hymn of
praise to its Creator The impression left upon
us by Mrs. Wstherbee was similar one. Her
voice sounded like sky-lark's hymn.
The '"Te Deum" was most beautiful COM
position, but we hardly think it will stand
comparison with Kotzschmar's as specimen
of church music. 1t abounds in startling ef-
fects, both of voice and organ, but for majesty,
and power, and simple pathos Kotzschmar's $
far surpasses it. The one has about it the
favor Of the opera house, the other, the sane
tity of the house of God. While the one will
always be admired as one would admire a
magnificent display of fireworks, the other
will be listened to with holy reverence.
We think that the choir deserve the thanks
of all who were present last night for their SUI.
perb singing, and the organist, Mr.. Kotzsch-
mar, should not be forgotten, to whom the sue
cess and reputation of the choir is so largely
due.