The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-02-19
AMUSEM ENTS.
srEINwAY HALL-MENDELssoHN's onAToRIo.
EST PAUL"

srEINwAY HALL--MENDELssoHNs oRAToRIo.
''sr. PAUL"
The third public rehearsal of the Oratorio Society
of New York took place yesterday afternoon at Stein
way Hail. in the presence of large and dscrinina-
tive audience, all of whom evidently came prepared
to enjoy the wealth of artistic work that ia involved
IN the celebrated oratorio. 1t Is now some three
ytars since it has been presented to the New York
public but it has been familiar to the musical world
since the year 1887. The gifted author died at an
early age 1S47. AS 1t may not be unintcrcstina to
recall the argument it is here presented In part first
the suffering Church implore the Lord for strength
and joyfulnesa against the fury of the hcathens.-
stephen is falsely accused of blasphciny by tho
synagogue and tho inccnscd peopc.-Hc rcprobatcs
their stubbornness. but they. unmoved insist upon
his death; they hear the ancient complaint. how
Jerusalem ever killed her prophets but they heed II
not and shout. Stone hini'-Stcphens suffers
tyrtom.-Devout men bury him with great lamenta-
tion.-Saul. who was among the murderers. perse-
cutes the Church.-On his journey to Damascus Saul
secs sudden light and hears the voice from Heaven.
Tho coming glory OF the Lord is proclaimed and tho
seepers are called upon to awakc.-Saul. rising in
blindness. is led to Damascus.-Thero nc stays in
bitter repentance till the Lord sends Ananas to him.
"for he prayeth;" and Saul is fully converted
Then Ananias announces to him the Divine
and is baptzed.-He breaches Christ. and
tho congregation praise the wisdom and
knowledge of God. III part second the triumph of
Chr:sts doctrine is proclaimcdpau breaches before
the congregation. and the Holy Ghost selects HIM
and Barnabas ambassadors-rhe multitude
knowledge them as the messengers who preach the
gospel of peace.-The Jews are filed with envy.
knowing no Saviour, and consult how to Kill Paul:
but Paul and Barnabas turn away from them they
chosen first) unto the Gentilcs.Pau cures tho
mpotent man at Lystra and the Cientlles wondering
HOY he IDS descended
call them Jupiter and Mercury, and bring offerings.
mplorng their good wiu;-ln repe!ling this false
from vain idols to the one living God, whose temple
they and who abidcth in heaven.-This only
exctes the anger of both the Gentles and the Jews
they accuse him Of having spoken against Jehovahs
Temple and the Holy Law, and they shout. ''Stono
tion for to them that faithful His help is
nigh.-Paul finally convokes the elders ut Ephcsus.
and tells them how he is bound In the spirit to 20
to Jerusalem to meet bonds and afhiction.-They
weep and pray. Ear be this from thcc but he re-
ssts their prayer ready even to die for the Lord.
He takes leave OF thcm.-1t is their comfort to be
now Gods own children. him who has fought
good fight aud finished his course and kept well his
faith q crown of Righteousness Is laid up. and not
only for him. but. as the chorus OF the believers
sing, to all them that love His appearng.-So they
bless the Lord and praise Ills holy name.
The orchestra consisted OF nearly two hundred
singers and the soloists Mrs. Mary L. Swift.
soprano; Miss Anna Drasdil, contralto; Mr.. NJ. w.
Whitney from Boston,. bass and Mr. George Simp-
son, tenor Mrs. Swift occupies the position in the
Broadway Tabernacle vacated by Miss Thursby and
il the possessor OF a pure. sweet. round soprano
voice. we'll fitted tor oratorio work. She is not en-
tircly sympathetic. but gives evidence Of the hard
study which she Is undergoing under the
direction Of DIR. Danrosch. Tho gems of
effects produced in "Stono Him to Death!'
ITO Thee Lord l yield my spirit!" 20 Thou.
the true and only Light" and "Slecpers. wake!
voice is calling" which was much applauded The
tenor (NIr. simpson, heard with excellent advan
tage to himself, and he evenly divided the honors
that come from an appreciativo audience with MISS
Anna Drasdi and Mr.. NJ W. Whitney the bssso. Tho
aria. "Be thou faithful until DEATH. was given adj
mirably and the entire performance may be de-
scribed as even smoothly Rowing and acceptable to
all who do not possess hypercritca taste. The con-
cert will take place this evening.