The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1875-10-23

IN the joint labOrs OF the Two eVnngellsts;
nor Ia sacred psalmody usually expected
TO have such direct power on the audience
as IL has had in their experience.
We do not recall any other combination
similar to that between MOODY and SAN
KEY, the preacher and the singer, for the
prosecution Of revival work GEoRoE
WHITFIELD, the great revvalist of the last
century, who preached both in England
and this country, could perhaps have per
formed by himself the labors TINT are
divided between MOODY and SANKEY. He
had voice of great range, fine quality,
and wonderful charm; but he worked SO
hard as preacher that he had not time to
cultivate his musical talents or display
them 20 advantage. The other great re-
vivalist Of that period, JONI WESLEY, had
no such fellow laborer as sANKEy, though
his brother CHARLES was never surpassed
a. q writer Of hymns that give expression
to the piOus emotions of the human soul,
and scope for the powers Of the human
voice. The Rev. CHARLES G.. FINNEY, re-
Gently deceased was one of the most eff
fcctive revivalsts of our own times, and
Elder KNAPP was another; but neither of
them, nor any of the others that we can
think of, enjoyed the cooperation of such
II singer as SANKEY. In short, MOODY
and SANKEy are, in their way, quite
unique phenomenon.
SANKEY himself fully appreciates the
Importance of the part he performs in the
work Of revival. He has learned the
power OF his sweet voice." A devout
and earnest man, always imbued with the
spirit Of the hymn which he sings, he yet
keeps himself in trimming for his work,
aud ueglects none OF the accessories which
give it effect. He is very careful about
his accompanying choir. When prepar-
ing for the lnbors which begin In Brook
Ign tomorrow. he desired that the choir
OF two hundred and fifty voices, male and
female. should be composed wholly of
genuine Christians who would enter on
the work for the love of it, and carry II on
to the end with enthusiasm. The de-
mnnd was startling one; and there
were fears that IL could not be complied
with. on account of the impossibility of
finding in Brooklyn such multitude of
really pious singers. But we believe that
Il full choir has ut last been secured; and
we hope that its members are all of the
sort called for by SASkEY.
The two songs OF SANKEY which became
the chief favoritcs during the recent British
revival. and which seemed TO have the
most powerful influence upon an audience,
were " Hold the Fort" and 1.-THE Ninety
and Nine. We have the words and the
music Of these songs before us. The Ian
guagc of Hold the Fort" is impetuous
ana triumphal and the music is in keeping
with these qualities; but we must say that
its literary merit is very slight, and we
could mention scores of hymns, embody-
ing the same sentiment, which are far SUI
perior to ii in point Of composition. But
the popularity of u soug is not always con-
sequent upon its literary perfection. If it
were, neither the star SpanGlcd Banner"
nor Yankee Doodle nor" John Browns
Body" would have lived in the public af-
| lection.
The other favorite song, NINETY and
Nine, is as full of emotion rs of poetic
| defects. The working out of the idea -
| rough; the rhy TIM Is faulty, and some of
the lines are SO halt and lame a. to maxi
motion painful. But yet there is "A certain
strength rs well rs pathos about II; and
We can see. by looking over the words and
music, that it may be so sung, under proper
circumstances, 10y singer like SASKEY. as
to be- very effective upon an impossible
multitude. We wish, for the sake OF public
taste. that the songs were better. pious
feeling should find its expression through
perfect art. lofty sentiment should as
sumo n lofty form. The aspirations of the
soul, when embodied in music, should move
in noble and worthy cadences. There are
sublime illustrations Of this idea in the
music u some Of the grand MASSES of the
| Roman Catholic Church.
Brooklyn is much interested in the APP
praranco of Moopy and SANKEY. and null
titudes will crowd to the Rink Tomorrow.
We venture TO say that there is rs great
anxiety To hear the singing of SANKEy rs
the preaching Of MOODY. Wewish both OF
them success, and hope that the songs of
the one and the sermons of the other will
do something to improve the morals and
WAYS OF the wicked city of BROOKLYN.