The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-05-07
The Fiddle IN Church.

Rev. H. Colclazer, of the Wilmington
N. E Conference, who had just retired
! from active work in the ministy after
| fifty-six years of service, was the first
| Methodist preacher to introduce instru
mental music in the church services of
the West, if not in the United States,
and nearly fifty years ago cornet, a
big bass fiddle and other instruments
assisted the congregations of his church
| in their devotions The first time the
then young preacher had the audacity
| to attempt such an innovation was at
Ann Arbor, Michigan, in 1899, upon the
occasion of the dedication of a new
church he had just completed. Bishop
Harris, who is now presiding over the
Wilmington Conference, and who had
then Just been admitted to the Michigan
Conference, of which Mr.. Colclazer was
then leading membe:, thus recalls the
circumstance and one of its interesting
Incidents:
The Conference was about to be held
in Ann Arbor, and Brother Colclazer con-
cluded that the day before the Confer
ence session opened would be a good
time to dedicate his new church. A
bass fiddle. the especial horror of most
MethOdists at that time, and one or two
other instruments were engaged, q thing
hitherto unheard of in a Methodist
Church. Old Bishop Soule was to dedi-
cate heehurch, and, unconscious of the
terrible fiddle, was on his way to the
building, accompanied by Mr.. Colclazer,
when the latter remarked that he was
very sorry that he could not get all the
music he wanted The Bishop, at once,
in very dignified way, asked:
do l understand you that there is TO
be instrumental music at the dedication
of this church 2"
"Oh, yes" replied the young pastor,
not understanding the full import of the
Bishops remark.
"Well," indignantly replied the Bish-
op, ''if that is so. you may go and dedi-
cate the church yourself, and | will go
back to my lodgings" which he ,traighf-
way proceeded to do; but the church
was dedicated with the musical pro-
gramme as previously arranged. Mr..
COlclazer's new departure created live
" sensation, but it was not until year
or two afterward, when Mr.. Colelazer
established instrumental music in Il
church at Detroit, that it became the
subject of widespread discussion. In
that place the Methodists had bard
time to get footing The Episcopal
Church was very strong, and the church
to which Mr. Colelazer was appointed.
although the leading Methodist Church
in the city, was not so attractive as
others there, and was somewhat out of
the city.
One of the first things Mr.. Colclazer
did was to establish two tiddlers, cor
net player and other musicians in the
choir gallery as assistants to the singers.
The result was that some of the old
members left, but Others focked to the
church, and 1t became, as it has re-
manned ever since, one of the most pop
uIar churches in Detroit. But when
the Conference met at the end Of the
year there was music Of quite another
sort for the pastor. The affair had be-
come the talk OF the West. When Mr..
Colclaxer's named was called at the Con
ference his character was challenged,
and 4 hot debate, lasting for several
days, followed. The .'nngJdly fiddle"
was denounced and referred TO as an
instrument of the Devil 2 which would
destroy the church If It's notes we're not
1T once hushed.
Mr. Colclazer's character was finally
passed, but it was evident that many.
who voted for him were as much op-
posed to the fiddle q those who voted
the other way In & few years, how
ever, instrumental music was not an
uncommon thing in Western Methodist
Churches.