The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-09-26

your widely circulated and influential paper to ash
n there canno. be found among us one who is able
and Wiling TO make an effort 10 elevate and purify
| the character OF our church music By mpartially
administering an occasional rap the knuckles'
! to those OF our organhts and choir leaders who,
either through lack Of good taste or from o limited
musical experience, too frequently treat their con.
gregations TO some far-fetched moroccan exquisite
perhaps, IN itself in Its proper place. but mutaed
and painfully Inappropriate or, which Is aimoS ~
bad. TO some OF the frotby and vapid illusions OF
'native talent" We have our customary criticisms
upon opera and upon our public concerts, ana which,
without doubt, exercise very sautary effect upon
| the performers therein; and though am far from
| recommending that the musical services in our
| caurches Notwithstanding that the perform
subjected to similar general reviewing,
Ieei satisfied that fair and moderate criticism OF
the periormers-couid not fail 10 be attended with
very wholesome results 1t only yesterday that,
| IN one OF our most prominent churches, CHANGED
| TO hear the psalm sung TO the first movement OF
Beethoyen's ''Funera Sonata''-a more venial freak
1t II. true, than OF the kind could recall, but
still one That must nave Jared upon the feelings OF
any Intelligent musician and all the less pardon
apie as the orxanst IN the case Is one who cannot
De charged with Limited musical experience"
and under whose management such eccentrcities
are rare; but II is similar disorder OF far worse
type-the symptoms OF which are operate selec-
tons OF ''ravsninx strains" and gleanngs IRON the
popular ballad music OF the day-whlch ! eating
INTO the very vitas of our school OF sacred music
aud which calls so loudly for some sweeping and
powerful remedy The use OF such meretricious
selections always conveys the impression that
tho o SSar Is either himself In ignorance Of
or that he pays his congregation the
miserable compliment Of believing tnat they are in
Ignorance OF II. II has always struck that those
or the listeners who are apparently graied by such
musical vagaries belong TO that class whose feeble
musical cravings were Iully satisfied by opera bOuBe
and the funeral knel OF thar sckly and unnatural
infant has already t0lled am happy TO accept the
omen a. anguiinga similar reformation In music Of
lOfter purpose.
This country Is young in many things, but In none
more 80 than in the composition of the higher order
Of vocas a we re nv rss' 70 rIS Se
requirements OF the most exacting compositions It
Is matter OF surprise and regret that SO little pE0
gress has hitherto been made I'm the greater number
OF our churches) IN drawing upon the almost mex
haustibe resources of English church music-com-
also SUFFICIENT difficulties OF execution to satisfy me
~ ~ LOVER OF PURE MUSIC.
In,por,an. Action Of he Synod of Genese..
This body, at Its meeting In jamestown, which
closed on the l6tn passed he following resolutions
l. That 1t Is the deliberate Judgment OF this synod
tat IL the DUTY OF all our churches TO take measures
to arrange at once system Of collections such to
fl ali The blanks presented for this purpose by the
minutes OF the General Assembly.
2. That TO effect this purpose standing commit
tee be appointed, to be called the Committee Of
Systematic Benedcence; said committee to consist of
one minister from each presbytery, whose duty IL
shall be each to take charge OF this subject in his own
8. That the members Of this committee be
directed particularly each to secure roll call IN his
presbytery annually, to ascertain what churches
have filled their blanks and to afford opportunity for
such as have failed in thus duty to orer excuses,
upon at the next meeting Of synod, each to report
for his presbytery how many chu .hes and what
churches have fulfilled their duty Ia this particular
and how many and what ones have failed
o. That the stated clerk be directed forth with to
notify the persons elected to this committee OF their
appointment and TO send to each copy OF these
g. That as a proper mode Of Signalling the year
OF reunion OF tue two branches Of the Church. which
we trust Is al hand tins synod would not only urge
each church within its bounds to fill every column
o. nenevoience down IN the Assembiys minutes, but
wond invite other synods to unite with them IN an
endeavor 70 make the effect universal throughout
lhe whole Church.
Religious Notes.
The Observer states that the Rev. DR.. Kirk has re-
signed his pastoral charge OF the Mount Vernon
church. Boston, after labOrious ana greatly useful
service Of twentyseven years. His feeble health Is
the only ground on which ne now asks relief DR.
Kirk was born in this city August a. 1902 his a1her
being leading member Of the Scotch Presbyterian
Church. 1t was In his iather's house hate
DIR. Murray tKirwan) was residing when he was nrst
led to seek the ministry. Edward N. Kirk was
graduated at Princeton College in 1920 having been
intimately associated q fellow student with the
late James W. Alexander, d. D., and a pleasant
friendship subsisted between them rs long as DR..
Alexander lived
The famous 'old meeting house' at bingham,
Masa., was redediCated September 8. The senior
pastor, Rev. Joseph Richardson was able to be
present. although lie has been pastor for sixty three
years and Is ninefy-one years old. Inc society 10
Unitarian.
The managers Of St Mary's Orphan Asylum, Of
Dunkirk, refusing to send their children the COM
mon schools. have made demand for q pro rata
share OF the school moneys and the Board OF Edu-
cation OF that village called meeting for the Goth to
consider the subject.
The Catholic priest in New Ulm MIMI, has brought
suit against some OF the members OF his congrega-
ton for SANDER, laying his damages at $40 OOO
The second Adventists, at their recent camp meet
ing at Springfield Mass. reported income for the
Eastern branch OF 5000 During the year they
They have half dozen missions among the freed
men and eighteen colOred preachers. II was esti-
mated that 5000 Adventsts were present from all
parts OF the country.
what ne calls the chldrens Sabbath. That is on the
morning OF the Sabbath alter the communion he
breaches upon infant baptism the duties of parents
to their baptized children, the promises those who
also children are presented for baptism. The
second Sabbath OF TINS month twenty-three were
brought forward at one time
Rev. Isaac I. Hecker Will lecture this evening in
st. Bernard's church, West Thirteenth street. the
proceeds 0f the fee charged for admission to be
devoted to the benefit Of the church. His subject
VIII be Luther and the Reformation
DIR. Rogers, OF Memphis, Tenn, q convert to the
Catholic Church. now resident in this city, Will
lecture tonight at Cooper Institute. Subject
Catholic Ireland giving civilization to England aud
American
THE DAYLIGHT BURGLARY.