The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-12-02
LETTER FROM ALBANY.
Albany's Churches and Music
ALBANY CHURCHES.

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Vana res; Quid est charitas ? Magma ra-
atas and with view to the refutation of
hese responses we have endeavored to find
n the many beautiful churches of Albany
that would help us in the mat
er. The inhabitants of this city are, par
excellence, church going people, as the
crowded streets on any Sabbath evening
fully attest, and following the shifting
Lhrong, or any part of it, we should soon
find ourselves inside some spacious struc-
ture where spiritual law is dispensed.
Surely we can find among all the worship
pers there some who, by their lives and
deeds give the lie to the above assertions.
prayers bound in morocco in hand, it must
be easy to entertain the christian virtues
under all that fret and fresco with exqui-
site organ voluntaries filling the air and
softly stealing DER the senses it must
be easy to bring to the soul clear
perception of the beauty of holiness
Auu VI hnC uuty III iCSdiu W iditn, hOpc
and charity. And perhaps the inference
becomes conclusion when added to these
solemn tones from the pulpit, boldly pro-
claims that 1t is ''more blessed to give than
receive" and bounteous contribution soon
after shows that all concur in this belief.
But stop a moment Hasty conclusions
are the bane of mankind and he who re-
CARDS service of lips and well filled plate
as evidences of piety, is liable to be misled.
Charity lie measured not SO much by the
amount given as by the manner of giving
and benevolence that costs no personal ex-
ertion, no selt-denial, no loss of anything
we love, must be rated very low. Suppose
we had taken the day of Thanksgiving that
has just passed, when, if ever, people are
disposed to love and good will, and sifted
the masses who bowed their heads in
church, separating those who remembered
poverty stricken neighbor from those
who did not. Within five minutes walk
of our church in Albany may be
found haunts of poverty and wretched-
ness almost too distressing for
belief. To jewellers there Thanksgiving is
only milestone that marks another step
in life's dreary journey and the long past
years when it was indeed a day. 81 happi-
ness seem to them like chapter erom the
life of other than themselves. Each one
of the kneeling devotees found there lend
ing helping hand to an afflicted brother
or sister, making for them at least one
bright spot from which to date anew the
record of existence, may be set down as
truly perceiving the necessity of living up
to the virtues they profess. Yes, it may
be easy to find pseudo faith or hope that
is but part of nature but the third "the
greatest of these" all that's the test for
true religion, that is rarity seen less often
than is generally supposed. But lest we
get swamped in this line of subjective
thought, let us take up the objective and
discuss the churches of Albany little in
that line.
ALBANY CLERGYMEN.
Though there are men of undoubtet
great mental capacity among the clergy Of
this city, there is hardly one with any con
siderable reputation abroad. Those con
sidered most talented are Revs. Bridgmar
and Reeves among the Baptists, Epson ant
James among the Presbyterians, Doan,
and Rees among the Episcopalians, Clarl
among the Reformed and Smart among thu
Congregationalists. The last named was
formerly pastor of the church at Benson, anG
his name by no means bellies his ability
Until within year or two the Universal
lists were most ably represented by ]. Haz
ard Hartzell who is now located in Middle
town, Conn. At present, believe, Their,
is no settled minister of that persuasion.
MUSIC.
Most of the Protestant churches of AL
bany have congregational singing led by
volunteer choir, the total amount expended
in the city for paid choirs being only be
tween twenty-five and twenty-six thousand
dollars per annum. The music at BishoI
Doane's All Saints chapel is unique, repre-
sentlng the English cathedral system. The
singing is all done by boys from 10 to II
years of age who are thoroughly trained
for that duty, in school con
nected with the chapel, by MIR
Knauff, thorough musician as al
Germans who undertake music are. There
is also connected with this school for girlt
called st. Agnes Institute, a branch of tht
church of England schools, and candidates
who pass certain examination receive Ger
tificates from the curators of Oxford Uni
versity. Although the chapel in which
they now worship is mean, little building
some OF the wealthiest families of the city
attend, among them Erastus Corning, the
well known millionaire, whose fortune il
estimated at twenty millions. Next veal
the bishop will begin the erection of a
cathedral worthy of his parishloners, and
Brother Corning will undoubtedly be called
upon to stand the bfunt of the expense,
The Lutheran churches have congregation.
al singing accompanied by horns and
brass instruments, suppose the nearest
they can get to the trumpet and cymbalt
of scripture, while flutes and violins
in all the denominations. At The
CutuCui0 Va thc Con.
ception there is paid choir Of thirty.
five voices, led by the choir-master and
organist, Mr.. J. Hadyn Waud from Lon.
don, assisted by Sig. Parlati and his orches.
ira of ten pieces. The Catholics have the
advantage of protestants In the matter of
music, for besides the vastly superior
artists which they engage and their mum.
Der, Mr.. Wand Is not restricted by preiu.
dice from performing any class Of music
he desires. 80 we hear classical music OF
the German school, ford bravura music Of
the Italian school and lesser styles in album.
dance, all exquisitely rendered. Some OF
the quartette choir singers in the churches
OF Albany Care pupils of Herr Morawski,
who has lately been In Rutland believe,
basso al Emmanuel Baptist church and
Mr.. Keith tenor at St. Psuls, both of whom
are singers OF good taste and excellent de-
livery. -rf y.