The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-10-30
ADJUSTMENTS.


THE ORGAN CONCERT AT PLYMOUTH CHURCH.
A good audience was at the Plymouth Congre-
gational Church last evening at the organ con
cert given to exhibit to the public the new in
strument which occupies the entire width of the
cast end of the church. 1t is a grand instru-
ment Its value, if built in New York or Boston
would be at least $40 0OO but built in Indianap-
oils by Messrs, T. p Sanboln & Son, under the
personal supervision of Mr. VIM. Horatio Clarke,
himself formerly an organ builder, it cost con
siderably less money Although the width of
the roomis sixty feet the entire exposure of front
pipes measures eighty feet. The case is of cherry,
finished in oil. The main portions of the instru-
ment occupy the north and south corners of the
room, with two cases, connected by massive
array of large pedal pipes arranged in pyramidal
grouping, with a projecting corbel in
the center, this connecting case &C.
cupying a width of thirty feet
The compass of manuals is from &C to c.
sixty-one notes, and the compass of pedals is
from CCC to thirty notes, with a total of
1881 pipes. The voicing in general, is of
special merit, displaying unusual number of
soft and delicate effects, and securing character
istic quality of tones which blend with noble and
massive power without harshness. All good
work In an organ is unavailing, if the voicing is
indifferent and in this respect the tone qualities
OF this instrument are truly artistic and remark
able.
Mr. Clark's performance at the organ was
wonderful, affording of the most unique and
delightful entertainments this city has ever en-
Joyed. 1t consisted of grand prelude which
admirably exemplified the full force and compass
of the instrument, followed by selections from
theorataro of the Messiah Fan impromptu, 'The
ldyl of the Rose" and other selections. Mr..
Clarke also gave musical description of the
organ, exemplifying the different manuals,
which was not merely entertaining but highly in
structive. The pastor. Rev. o. c. McCulloch,
also read 1.-THE Conservation of the Organ"
beautiful poetical composition by Mr. Clarke.
Mr.. McCulloch. as part of the exercises, deliv-
cred the following address,
MR.. M'CULLocHs ADDRESS
This instrument is the offering of art to re-
hgion. For whether it is used on Sunday or
week day. for sermon, for concert. or for lee
ture, its use is religious-to quiet the restless
pulse of care to give hope to the discouraged, to
lift to noble and elevated feeling.
1t is the offering of art to religion. God enters
the world through three doors-the true the
beautiful, and the good. The true science con-
Germs itself with these, and makes its revela-
tlons, and develops the Intellectual life
with its disciplnes. The beautiful art
fills this field with its varied forms of painting,
sculpture architecture and music. With their
revelations and culture. the good religion leaves
here with its thoughts of duty, its comforts,
its announcements, its promises and its hopes.
These are the landmarks of the soul They
develop spiritually where often, antagonistic
ally, there may be art without religion, re-
hglon without art. Science, too, may ignore re-
igion and frown upon art, but here we bring TO-
gether art and religion The beautiful in sound,
in all its wonderful variety of tone,ssis here
brought and offered to the higher life.
This organ comes to strengthen you as a
trumpet-it is to recall you as buge, to soothe
you like cradle song, to comfort you, to make
the future bright for you, and to send voice
unto your despair and bid you hope
No one can explain this wonderful power of
music. ut is, says Beethoven, 1.-THE direct me-
diator between the spiritual and sensual life"
rs 1T, says another, "a Renaissance of bless
ings once felt, or is it possibly the intuition of
happy fulhi!ment of our hopesP This we do
know, that the ear is so adapted to sound that
the music in nature makes music in the mind
There is not a single orb which thou beholdest
But in its motion like an angel sings,
Carolirg to the clear-eyed cherubim"
This organ now takes its place among the
educating and elevating influences which redeem
us from the lower life. 1t has always been my
wish to have music occupy such place in Prot
estant worship it has in the Catholic churches.
l would like to have the organ played daily at
an hour most convenient for the people, so that
they might come out of their business, and care
and anxiety. Then, sitting in silence, the organ
would begin to draw out tones down from the
skies, until all business had been ennobled every
troubled thought had gone, and every anxious
care had disappeared
Do you remember dear old Tom Pinch, in
Martin Chuzzlewitl In the last glimpse of him
that Charles Dickens gives to he is sitting at
the organ in a darkening room. AS he plays he
touches the notes lightly; old memories arise
blessing, softened whispering memories like
those in which we sometimes hold the dead. "
Then come quicker and more joyful sounds
sounds such as little children bring with patter-
ing feet and laughter Then follows the graver
air devoted to old friends and bygone times. His
sister Ruth comes in and sits beside him, and the
strain scars onward to the future. "As it re-
sounds within thee and Them the noble music
rolling round ye both shuts out the grosser pros
nectS of an earthly narting and nnfts We both to