National Republican., 1877-04-30
AW<saINGT0N SABBATH.
The Singing at Sc. Johns Churcb-some Re-
marks Upon Church Music.

The Singing at 50. Johns Churcb-some Re-
marks Upon Church Music.
A lady correspondent furnishes the following
as the result OF her observations In the churches
yesterday. Every stranger spending the nrst day
Of the week at tho capital Is struck with tho quiet
Of the day Of In this beautiful city, tho state
iy churches, the throngs Of we'll dressed and dis
tinGuishsd people going thereto, and tho nne
music TO be heard in the different places OF wor.
ship. We have not particularly observed that
the Inhabitants Of Warrington fully realize how
far they are blessed In this respect yet perhaps
proper appreciation OF the music which falls 80
pleasantly upon Q strangers ears may not be con.
sidercd out Of place.
Yesterday our way led to ST. Johns Episcopal
church, and within tho walls Of that ancisntlook
ing edihce No heard singing which will be re-
membered for many day. The choir, composed
Of male voices, Is exceptionally good, as each
voice heard separately shows nne culture, but In
the piano passages Of the chorus tho perfect har-
mony and effect produced arc tho result only OF
long and patient practice. Tho "Ts Dsum," by
Baumback, and the Jubllatc by Ward were both
rendered In . style betting the character Of the
music. While the solo "Bow down thino ear, oh,
Lord" sung during the enertory, was truly
AaAsrxRLY PERFORMANCE.
MIR. Ever has one OF tho deepest and most
musical tenor voices that any ono ever listened
to. anu say this tearing no contradiction as 50
many friends and strangers who have been 50
fortunate As to hear him are Of tho same opinion;
yet tho feature OF this Eentlemans singing Is the
correctness OF his phraiing and his distinct onun-
citation. Every word OF the two solos sung by
Mr. Ever yesterday morning was clearly audible
to the congregation, and really, II this were not
sunh an entire novelty, perhaps wo would have
been carried away BY the tune, forgetiul Of the
words. But when Episeopalians arc obliged,
Sunday after Sunday, to hear their beautiful
service turned into burlesque by reason OF the
mouthing. lisping, or Kissing Of words, something
In plain English Is . refreshment, to say the
least
Let no one ina gine that he Is singing the praises
Of God he is at the same time uttering them, rs
such worship Is mere lip service. 'Songs without
words" are enjoyable only in the themes, which
were written by the almost divine pen Of Mozart
or Mendelssohn, otherwise such songs are impos.
sible. We are perfectly aware that musical peo.
pie object to criticism, yet this IL scarcely fair
way Of thinking, allowing that It 10 unwise to cut
to pieces any one who has failed in m appearance
before the public.
II no comment is made upon error, or praise
given when due, our world would soon degenerate
into side-shew. Flsttery is never we'll received
BY wise musicians. Yet the truth should be
sometimes spoken, In order that some rulo Of OK.
celience may be established.
The sermon listened to at st. Johns yesterday
morning was one Of DR.. Lswis' most happy efforts.
II was . clear and forcibls explanation Of the
doctrine Of the resurrection, . belief which %
many do not firmly trust In, although II 10 No
more incredible than the mystery Of life.
At Epiphany church the seats were, as usual,
crowded to excess. The rector, Or. Paret, . man
Of rare talent and executive ability, commands q
growing share OF popular favor, which will In.
crease tho better he becomes known. Men who
do not change with every caprice OF those to
whom they minister are apt to mold their con.
grcgations into something like stability.
The music At St Aloysius' yesterday was, as
usual, delightful to listen to. Yet lack Of time
| forbids any further mention Of this hne choir.