The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1881-10-13
AN ESSAY on MUSIC.
The Importance OF Organization and \.
sociaticn.

lowing essay, Wnich WAS TcId uE ioi. .
G.. Doulhit before the annual meeting o
the Anderson County Singing Conycn
tion
In order to prove aud establish thc
musical Importance ard bcnef; derived
from organization and association, sc
have only to refer you 10 the history oI
the Anderson Count, Singing Conycn-
ton, since its organization in 1859
Since that time it ha, no, failed 70 mcc,
annually within the limits of the County,
and for the last few years to hold semi
annual meetings, the effect of which has
been TO excite more general feeling and
interest in the science and cultivation Of
sacred vocal music. And the demand
for these meetings having become so
great that several townships within the
County have organized, by clccting 'lcir
officers, in order that local demands may
be gratiiicd. Without system and order,
no organization can accomplish much
good. By it all institutions, both in
Church and State. I've, move and have
their being Without rule and regulation
law and order would hc impossible. No
institution, at this day and time, would
be safe OF cxpeden, How important,
then, tha, they be we'll founded resting
upon sure foundation; also Is equally
important to have them Justly admins.
tered and executed. In all these the
County has been cmiucntly successful, or
its existence ere now would have tcrin-
mated Yet, Notwithstanding it, age and
success, when we retrospect The pas, none
Of us, perhaps, can say we have done
what we should, but wc can now look
back and see our errors. and behold
wherein we might have done more to-
ward bcneiiting one anotlcr and in ai-
vancing our cause
We have lived 10 zee the day, "rd
reached period in our mu-ica! history.
in which we will have more to engage
our present aud future attention than
formerly. To illustrate, we have only To
cite YOU To the demand for higher grade
OF musical instruction. We have now
reached n period in which our people
what they need and should have. 4
ing sought, and :. higher grade OF in
wants Of the congregation demand it;
the wants of the Sunday school demand
it; the wants Of the singing school de-
mand il /; the wants in the domestic circle
demand it; our wants individually and
collectively demand it, 1t certainly be.
hoovcs the order of this body, claiming
for its object the management, promotion
and elevation Of the musical standard Of
the County, to look into these things and
see whether or not we are in Keeping
with the times and circumstances with
which we are surrounded. The impor-
tance Of our order demands il.
we shall cndeavor TO suggest and
point out some of the benefits and duties
OF this Convention. Being identified
with this organization since its beginning
as permanent member, and for ten
years rs its leading officer, none perhaps
feel more responsibility or desire more
its future welfare and prosperity We
think great good might be accomplished
through the instrumentality of talent and
ability. OF this would say we have an
abundance within the County, Int not rs
efficient as we need. And | would Insist
upon the Convention taking such steps
and adopting such rules and regulations
AS shall tend to the instruction and de-
velopment of the talent of our County.
and the best plan, perhaps, for doing this
is TO n:.so up schools or classes sufl-
clently strong to justify the employment
of first.class teachers, or make normal
schools sufficiently strong to secure the
services of us rhany instructors .s may
be necessary in giving fu,! course.
Next, do all We can TO solicit ihe youths
anu talent Of our County tn attend. We
venture to say that many who attend
these Conventions would go, and many
others would gladly attend. Such
course would do us incalculable good,
by adding talent and strength to our
Convention, which could only be seen
and measured by the future. 1t is utter
ly Impossible for us to compute or es.-
mate the utility and importance of mu-
sical association. Who can estimate the
good already accomplished through this
instrumentality? 1t has been the means
OF drawing out talent in the County
which might have remained dormant or
buried; but by attending meetings these
have become interested, and stirred up
others TO do likewise. Thus it is, in our
efforts to improve ourselves and our
cause, We build up and improve others.
1t does not matter materially how much
or hcw little we may have dono in this
or that enterprise as it does in the mo.
tive we have for so doing If we are
only sincere aud earnest, God will bless
the effort, though it may have been in
weakness. He will bless and make it
power for good. Again, by organization
and association, fraternal relations are
strengthened, as the tendency of sacred
music is TO refine, elevate and sanctify
our dispositions and our natures. God
has wisely and wonderfully capacitated
US for this part of his service BY giving
us voices susceptible of cultivation, by
which we can sing His praise and glorify
His name on earth. And thus it is by
mingling voices and sentiment we be-
come more and more united in our efforts
and to each other in working together in
this vineyard Of song for Him who gave
us the ability and holds us responsible at
His coming for the improvement made
of this talent. And again, these fra
ternal relations do not cease with the clos
ing of these Conventions. The effect goes
out 10 other Conventions, neighborhoods
and families; visiting brethren from
other associations will bear the news TO
their association, and they in turn will
tell 1t to Others, and so on until it would
be impossible for us to tell how far
good thought or resolution may extend
It's influence. Again, some friend or
brother visiting the Conventional may
be minister, !, Sunday school supcrin.
tendent or teacher-gains thought or
sentiment that so impresses him that he
feels it his duty TO communicate the same
to his Church, Sunday school, choir or
may be only friend, and thus others
are led to enjoy and appreciate what this