New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-11-08
NEGLECTED. HELPS ~ LIFE.

One of the most suggestive FEATURES Oh inc
recent celebration in Philadelphia WAS the
Welsh Chorus Festival. This was held hy
singing societies from the hill counties Of
Pennsylvania, a large proportion Of whose
members are miners hands, dairymen or
other hard working laborers, whose only time
for practising music is after the long days
work is fully done. During the last year they
we're in the habit of walking eight or ten miles
in the evening four times week to rehearse
these HYMNS and secular choruses. Now, put
ting all question of the interests OF music aside
in this matter, nothing can be palmer than the
effect which this pursuit would have on the
mind of a laborng- man. 1t is a door flung
omen into a new world, of which every glimpse
is widening and eevating. Instead of BOOKING
stupldly over his beer, the man dresses himself
decently Can item of daily life not without
eftect and plods across the hills to join zeal
uusly in the study of noble harmOnies. 1t IS
surely worth while to ask what and how much
il done among us to klndle new life II our
working classes The Italian peasant takes
in a knowledge of art as he does his breath. It
is in the air about him. The churches, the
streets are full of the masterpieces OF the
world. He learns insensibly to appreciate
bcauty and is as insensibly elevated and en-
lghtened The German learns to love music
in the same way, and the effect Is the same.
We shall be answered probably that the Amori-
can aborer is "a shrewder more Intelligent
fellow than either. But we think on eIamina-
ton it will DO found that his shrewdness ana
Intelligence, as rule have but two outlets
the making of money, and politics or the creed
which the Boss to whom he happens TO belong
teaches to him.
Again, we would suggest, as especially
worthy of note that the intelligence of this
especa American is seldom turned toward tho
subject of religion. His ancestor, if Scotch,
found enough in the dogmas OF his sect to fer
tilize his whole brain. The Bible was his
library: he found in his religion all the mental
food which the telegraph, newspapers and the
incoming gossip of the world furnish to his
descendant. His ancestors, II Catholic, found
an unfailng stimulus TO their imaginations in
symbols, the Virgin, saints, etc. But the
ignorant American is apt to leave the religion
of the family to the women. II he occasionally
goes to church, lie takes but feeble interest i'll
the sermon and prayer. Is not this because
the sermon and prayer are the only points ut
which the Christian Church touches his daily
lief In old times the Protestant minister was
the confidential friend of his flock. The
Catholic priest to-day is apt to keep direct
hold OH each man, and measurably to direct his
work-day actions. But there is very little
effort made in the Christian Church to incor-
porate the lives of uneducated workinRmen
into its life or, on the other hand, to widen and
uplift his narrow, dull outlook by opening for
him other pursuits than that of money making,
and giving to those pursuits Christian light
and meaning. He goes to church, pays for his
pew and drops his pennies into the missionary
box. and that is all. What share has the
church as q rule In his beneficial society,
his evening resort, his amusementsf
Some secular observers question the uses of
organized churches. But il churches are organ
lied. why should they not become active, living
forces In the daily life OF the peoples Why
should not an ignorant man find in his cOOpera
tive club his reading room, his music or draw
Ing class, and, more than all, his recreations,
additional bonds to draw him closer to the
Christians who call themselves on Sundays
his brothers Why do they not use each and
all of these graphing irons to bring him up to
n higher MAILER, larger life