The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1871-12-20
For THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.

Roanoke Presbytery.
For THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
Church Operas.
Mr.. Editor,-I have just finished reading a
newspaper article on Church Music. The writer
says, The world is moving It's tastes are be-
ing (sic) cultivated and refined. Satan is holding
out ten thousand aurements of sight, sound, and
appetite. You cannot catch flies with vinegar.
And you cannot entice polished men and women OF
the world to the only place where they can hear
the gospel preached, unless you can make the
Church attractive. Long drawled Ortonville is
enough to give any one the yellow jaundice. How
long shall the sweet inspiring tones Of organ and
harp, aud vio and lutte, bassoon, cornet and flute,
be abandoned to pleasureReeking workings, while
Christians whose lives 81 Did be attuned to celes-
tial harmOnies, ple' ZOOS maly along to
the dolefu ech nd 'Olmutz, :
and Greenvie
This is but a 44-Ap- sentiments OF the
theories of the most advanced thinkers and
writer's on the best mode of making the worship of
God attractive to aesthetic people, and Of help
ing the preacher to draw good houses.
Some time ago the Richmond Enquirer sug-
gested that, in order to complete the list of eccle
siastca attractions, dancing should be introduced
as part of church worship, "The world moves"
and certain section of the religious world keeps
step to the progress of the age Ten or twenty
years from now, it would not occasion a greater
surprise or shock to Tel-reguated disciple Of the
old regime to see decoTously conducted cotillion
in church. than it would now to one of our de-
parted graudmothers, we're she restored to life,
and permitted to hear some of the musical per-
formances now common in some Of our churches
say our churches; for here in Richmond, any
Sabbath you may hear selections from the most
popular operas of the day, and music too artist
caly rendered by trained and select choir, to
permit the congregation to unite in it and mar its
scientific accuracy.
Now | do not deny the attractive charm of opera
music. Did not conscientious scruples restrain me-,
I would be a regular frequgnter Of the opera. am
pasSionately fond of music and some of the best
music has been written for the stage. But as a
Christian man. having, as hope, proper regard
for consistency and "Joaos moreS," | do not at
tend the opera, even during the secular nights Of
the week There is no difference between the
opera and the theatre as to place, scenery actors
and accessories. The only difference is that the
opera is musical drama, in which airs, recitatives
and choruses with orchestral Accomplishments,
supply the place of spoken words. But many of
the favorte operas Of the public are decidedly de-
moralizing in their subject matter and tendency
Nothing ever seen on the stage in the more repu.
table theatres is so coarse and prOhigate in spirit
as Don Gioraao, RigOletto, Lucretia BOrgia, and
La Trdviata. The last, is founded on the imm or
al French tale called, La dame aaLr CamelidS," and
is simply the apotheosis of what is called the eu-
phemism Of the day. Sn Aneagma, or 0dalisque,
'or "Soiled dove, Ep called by Solomon the
strange woman" In some of these operas it is
the G6retto and the acting which draws" rather
than the music, much of which is commonplace.
Now what shall be said of those churches which
make not the sermon or the service the "attrac-
tion but the music, and yet which instead of Sc
Letting from the grand old masters of eccesasti.
cal music, Gull from the light and loose operas of
the day? This will say of them, that they are
doing more to diminish popular reverence for the
Sabbath and the sanctuary, more to lower the tone
Of spirituality in the community than such Sun.
day concerts of sacred music as are advertised in
New York, and other large cities more to under
mine true regard for the divinely appointed wor-
ship and sacraments Of the Church than infdel
lectures could do. For these are really Sunday en-
tertainments, frequented avcwedly as such, by
those who have too much conscience to patronize
any Sunday amusement, urllzzs it be under the pa,
tronage of a Church, and performed in the house
of God
Yes, the world is moving and the popular de.
mand for the "inspiring tones of organ and harp,
VOL and Lutte, cornet and flute, will soon eliminate
in Sunday concerts in Richmond, and when that
day comes the pastors who now pander to public
taste by permitting secular music to constitute the
attraction to their churches, viii find their mouths
stopped when they open them to demonstrate
against the dissertation Of the Lords day. The
eonfounding and sencing reply will be, You in
augurated these Sunday entertainments, and we
do not think it fair that you should have the mo-
nopoly of them, and get the pecunary profit Of
good houses, while we secular people are left out
in the cold
The injury done to religion by the assaults Of
those who are open enemies, is sometimes great,
but these Sunday operate musical entertainments,
under the guse and garb Of church service, consti
tute far more serious aud fatal woundiDg Of
Christ in the house of his protested friends.
CLAUDE.