Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-04-18
Musica, Enssrumens. in Churches.

Musical Instruments in Churches.
From the N. Y. Tribune.
HAS the prejudice which formerly existed
against the use of musical instruments in
| churches entirely disappeared 2" asked a Tribune
reporter Of leading builder Of pipe organs re-
Gently.
at has. think, with the exception of one de-
nomination" was the reply. "The Roman Cath
Ole churches have always used them more or
less; then the Protestant Espiscopal the Presby-
| terrain and other denominations followed In this
order. 1t has occasionally happened that three
or four wealthy members would buy an organ
and place it in their church. The conscientious
scruples of some church members were recon-
ced in this way to its use, as they were not
called upon for contributions. Some churches
would consent to the use of an organ only on
condition that it should be played softly This
for a time would be complied with, but the sub
dued strains becoming monotonOus the organists
generally as viii Carleton says. babe farewell
to every bodily fear, and boldly waded.n.'
Several years ago Presbyterian minister in this
city declared that if an organ were placed in his
church he would resign. But he was pensioned
OFT and the organ was purchased. The members
of the United Presbyterian Church-commonly
known as the Psalm Singers'-are now in the
midst Of a controversy regarding the repeal of
their law prohibiting the use of instruments in
their worship. This law Is based on the ground
that there is no authority in the New Testament
for their use. Those who favor music assert
that the Psalms exhorted the Children of Israel
to use instruments. They also say that the
modern style of music in worship would be more
apt to retain In the church the young people
who are now inclined to join other denOmina-
tiOns"
49,. lis the pipe-Organ an ancient invention ?"
90, yes; In a crude form 1t existed before the
Christian era, and one of the coins Of Nero had
on 1t representation of an organ of that day.
In the early Instruments there were only eight
or ten keys, which were from three to five and
a half inches wide. and were manipulated by
striking them with the fist. From the manner
OF this playing, the Organists were then called
Organ.beaters. The methods of furnishing the
wind were also very imperfect. German church
in this city has an old-fashiOned imported organ.
which is supplied with wind from an air-tank
with tightly fitting lid working up and down
with weights attached. It is pulled up each
time by man who climbs aladder. puts his foot
In stirrup and slides down. Like everything
been made in the last twenty-five years. We
have just placed one in the First Baptist Church
OF Brook yn. which is built on an entirely new
principle. The instrument is in the usual place
behind the pulpit, but the key board is down in
the body Of the church about sixty-fve feet from
the organ and is connected with the pipes by
pneumatic tubes. 1t has the unusual addition
of snare drum. 1t is operated by a pneumatic
engine under control of a pedal at the organ
lists feet"
as water used much as motor ?"
Yes; the use of water for that purpose is
prohibited in this city, but it is extensively en-
ployed in other large cities.'
is your business altogether with churches ?"
Very nearly SO; STILL we are now building a
S15. 600 organ for private house in Fiftll-ave
and another one to cost $500 for a gentleman
at City Island"
''Do you contract bad debts often ?"
mo; although we sometimes have to wait
long time for our pay. The complaints we so
often hear of inconsistencies of individual church
members cannot, as rule, be made against
churches as corporations. Previous to the panic
of 1873 the Methodist denomination alone built,
on an average, 700 churches year. The ratio
OF pipe-organs in their buildings is one to eight,
most of them using small reed organs
3" How long does it take to build an ordinary
organ p
About three months to finish one properly,
allowing the woods time to season"