The New York herald., 1876-11-06
CHICKERING HALL.

SERVICE OF soNG-ADDREss BY THE REV.
SAMUEL CoLcoRD.
The congregation of worshippers assembled in the
auditorium Of Chickerng Hall, at Fifth avenue and
Eighteenth street. yesterday morning celebrated their
first service of song Many strangers were present
and cordially welcomed. The choir, composed OF
nearly loo volunteers, was earnest and efficient Tho
service was in form similar to that conducted by
Moody and sankey, and directed by Mr. Charles
l.. Guun After tho opening prayer, by the Rev.
Samuel Colcord, the congregation Joined IN singing
hymn II OF tho Gospel hymn collection, "For you
praying" after which the pastor read the ninety
eighth psalm, commencing, 20 sing unto the Lord
new song for he hath done marvellous things; his
right band and his holy arm hath gotten him the
tory' Then followed the sweet sounds OF the ninety
third hymn, "Nore holiness give MOI the eighty
ninth hymn, "Yield not TO temptation and tho
th.rty-lfth hymn, 81 hear the Saviour say" Briefly
the minister then spoke to the congregation, saying
that the Church makes much OF the service OF song
its worship because the psalmist has said, at is
good thing to give thanks unto the Lord aud to
sing praises unto thy name most High;
to shcw forth thy loving Kindness in
the morning and thy faithfulness every night"
and because it Is good We believe that there is such
a thing as singing the Gospel into the souls OF men,
and know that many. very many Of precious souls
have been brought TO the feet OF the Saviour by the
influence Of the sacred songs. The children
learn them in the Sunday schools and carry them
home, whore often the OF Jesus has never been
heard before except when coupled with profanity. yet
the little sing hom again tine strains ia
on listening wondering, startled ears and wandering
souls are lea back to the bosom OF the Father. We
do not k-ow Of surcr way to preach the Gospel
than sing it into .hc hearts Of tho people
We know OF the good accomplished through the me-
dum of such Moody and Sankey; we know
that hardened hearts ofttmcs soitencd while list
ening to such hymns God loves the world by
ners lost" How many weary hearts have found COM
tort IN that grand old hymn Of Charles Wesley
Jesus. lover OF my soul,
Lot thy bosom fly,
While the of sorrow roll,
While the tempest still IL nigh.
Sing tho songs Of Jesus the people. In the dead
OF night you hear u womans floating On the
hushcd stiffness O air she tolls through midnight
hour beside the cradle OF her suffering child, soothing
little heart with the music OF the Lord She knows
that you hear that il falls upon other
OF her dnrllng but it touches responsive chord in
your heart and influences your action. So may tho
sounds OF our service OF song touch the hearts OF
doubtful, waverng, wandering men and women end
bring them to God and home. Those who carry
the Gospel thus their fellows Christian heroes
lowiy Jesus and labor the sick and helpless in soul
and body who are dying daily around them. There Is
good why songs of joy should not be heard
in the sanctuary and in all Christian places Christian
lifc is sad IL is fun OF promise and OF love. The
speaker then drew word picture OF the happiness of
the Christian here hereafter and closed with
urging his 10 seek for salvation In Jesus the
only in whom II can be found to heed Gods own
message and to s'sing unto the Lord song"
The service then closed with prayer and the sing
ing OF the forty. fourth hymn ..Wth harps with
viols there stands great throng.n and the eighty
second hymn, 'Only an armor bearer proudly l
stand"