Morning journal and courier., 1883-05-21
The Power of Sacred Melody.

Calvary BAPTIST Church Sermon by
Rev. Mr. Samson.
At Calvary Baptist church last evening the
pastor, Rev. Mr.. Samson, preached dis
course on the power of sacred melody. The
church was filled in every part and the dis
course wss one of rare excellence and listen
ed to with very close attention. It was from
the words:
tAnd when they had sung hymn they went out
into the Mount of Olives MATTHEW 26: so.
If ever the power of sacred melody to
sooth the soul were needed it was at this time.
On the next day our Lord was to be cruel
fed. After eating the passover with his dis
ciples he addressed them tenderly, then
prayed fervently with and for them and as the
last and best preparation of himself and them
for the struggle in which they were SO soon
to engage he sang hymn with them. If
the subordinate features of this hymn are
wanting, its religious character and influence
are apparent and we have the suggestion of
the importance of sacred music as an aid to
religious devotion.
The spirit of man, although subject ulti
nnAtely to the control of the will, is influenced
by external circumstances and we must study
those circumstances. We have intellect,
sensibilities and conscience. To supply the
intellectual want the face is necessary and
GOD has given us eternal truth. To meet
the demands of the sensibilities the beauti-
full is necessary and for the conscience or the
moral and religious sense the good is essen
tial, Sacred music supplies these demands
because in sacred music the highest efficacy
of all moral influences Is brought to bear
upon the intellect, the sensibilities and the
conscience. The intellect yearns for truth in
childhood and manhood, but truth is
not successfully acquired without
the aid of the sensibilities. Hence the me-
cessity of illustration to enforce truth. And
when the truth relates to the spiritual world
and eternal verities. the whole man Is moved
by an unconquerable impulse. Sacred music
appeals to the whole soul of man, his intel
lect, his sensibilities and his religious nature.
But why is such power as this necessary
to stimulate religious devotion? Men are
sinful and need some divine impulse from
the spirit of God to direct them in the right
way. The spirit of God acts through truth
adorned to the mind. But the truth will
not reach the heart unless the sensibilities are
appealed to. Why should not the highest
employment of the histrionic art be conse-
Grated to the cause of God and religion
What Talma or Garrick ever swayed the
multitude like Whitefield or Hall ? The
preaching of the gospel is the highest moral
power ever existed among men. How sacred
music stirs within the soul deep and pure
emotions. David and Solomon were careful
to train the choirs of the Levites and to sup
and instruments of percussion to move by
the weightiest impulse the soul of the wor-
shipper. Our Lords advent was heralded
by an angel, and when he had ceased speak
ing there was with him g multi
tude of the heavenly host praising
God. The last scene of Christian worship in
his life is no less interesting than the first.
Paul and Silas sang praises to God at mid
night, and the apostle Paul urges the duty of
singing with the understanding as well as
with the spirit in his epistles to the Colos-
slams, the Ephesians and the Corinthians.
Then let US cultivate the art of sacred music.
If the study of the scriptures is to be com
mended for their better understanding and
Interpretation the study Of sacred music is to
be commended in order that this important
part of public worship may be rendered
acceptabiy. But it is chiefly to be commend
ed because it is one act of divine worship
that is to be perpetual. Here the flesh often
wearies, but there ''they rest not day nor
night, saying holy, holy. holy Lord God Al
mighty, which was and is to Gomez
The singing by the quartette choir, Mrs.
Blinn Miss Gaffney. Mr.. Knowlton and Mr..
JONES' was admirable. They sang an anthem
before the sermon; also one selection with
out organ accompaniment, which was ex-
quisitely given to the delight of the large
congregation. The anthem was one of Dud-
ley Bucks.
n
May 16, at the residence of the brides par
ents, 293 Broad street, Newark, N. j., Miss
Anna Belle, youngest daughter of Mr.. and
Mrs. George A. Cosgrove, was united in the
slken bonds of matrimony to Mr.. Benjamin
A. Sleight, of Hudson, n. Y, Rev. DR.. Glenn
emit French officiating. Mrs. Cosgro7e, now
Mrs. Sleight, has large circle of friends in
Whitney, vile, where her parents resided for
many years until somewhat recently. Mr..
Cosgrove was long engaged at Whitney
srmory, and was prominent official in the
Whitneyville Congregational church. Dir.
Cosgrove has prominent position with an
electric light mandatory, which is making
great preparations for the Chicago exhibit
ton The company with which he is en-
gagged the United, States Electric Lighting
company, will have one of the most notable
exhibits in that line at that exhibition.