The Cecil Whig., 1884-02-16
THE ORATORIO AGAIN.

Mr.. EpIToR.-It is usually safe rule
to pay no attention to the attacks of an
anonymous correspondent. People who
thus use the newspapers to assail others,
generally do so either from cowardice or
because they are ashamed of their pro-
ductions. From the character of ''H's'
communication in this weeks Cecil Com.
ty Ne'cs on the subject indicated in the
above caption, am cha'itably disposed
to attribute his anonymous skulking to
the latter cause. If he is not, he surely
ought to be ashamed of his production.
AS specimen o; literature, it is remark
able: but most readers will not need to
have its peculialities pointed out. It's
theology is more remarkable still; it in
dicates the authors belief in both a plu-
raity of gospels and of Gods
Every reader OF the WING. except III"
knows that what said was: IF the pro-
ductions Of the opera and the drama were
ALWAYS as pure i'll teaching and influence
as is the Oratorio Of Esther. the Reauti-
ful QIeen. then they-thc opera and
drama-Honld be valuable adjuncts to
preaching the Gospel.
To persons Of ordinary intelligence the
above proposition would be proved by tie
statement that the plot OF this music
recites history God caused tn be writ
ten for the instruction ana admontion
of the race, and that it abounds in some
OF the most beautifully devotional utter
ances of the Old Testament Saints. For
example, Ills that soeth forth and weep-
eth, etc. = "God is the refuge oe his peo-
pie, etc Trust in the Lord forever.
ETC." Thou wilt keep him in perfect
peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, be-
cause he truSteth in thee" when the
Lord turned again the captivity OF Zion.
, We were like them that dream. Then
was ouI mouth filled with laughter, and
our tongue with singing, and THE Lord
hath done great things for US, whereof
we are glad. Surely were only such
histories and sentiments as the above
presented in the opera and the drama,
AMI by persons who would do so revel-
emily, the influence could only be good.
But saying this is-to everybody but
III. "a very different thing from eu-
dorsing the perto. mances of the modern
| opera and drama.
But, however pure, the opera and drama
could never take the place of preaching
the gospel. 1T hath pleased God. by
the ioolishness Of preaching g-not by
foolish preaching like "II's',-''to save
them that believe" Many things nav
be adjuncts to. that cannot, in the very
nature of the case. be substitutes tor
preaching the Gospel. Our public schools
our free institutiouS-the press, are
such adjunctS. Now the trouble with
my critic is that he don't understand his
mother tongue.
This more fully appears in his next
paragraph. He wants rn be informed how
Bishop Simpson preaching can be called
dramatic. He always supposed he preach
ed Christ. He evidently thinks | have
scandalously caricatured the good Bish
ops public performances. But let him
ask some one that can tell him the differ
encc between the dydn'Rtic and the Meat.
rical, and he will see that nv remark was
complimentary. All the renowned preach
erS of the world have been dramatic. No
preacher who isn't drumatic-easy. natu-
raj, pleasantly impressive, in his delivery
ever attracts the masses. | could have
scarcely complimented Bishop Simpson
more highly. He breaches Christ and
him crncitied, in a most dramatic and
wiHsums manner. Let "II'' save his
tears, therefore, FOR some more tittin"
occasion.
AS to singing, Philip Phillips carried
Il name of popular applause with him
around the world not by the quality Of
his voice, for it is comparatively poor
not by the correctness with which he
read and rendered the musical ideas of
the composer, for in this respect his sing
ing is exceedingly faulty; but his power
was in the little operatic arts of punctu-
alton and emphasis and action cores
ponding TO the sentiment he sang When |
man sets himself mp for critic, he |
ought to be sure of two things-lst, That |
there is something to criticise; and, ed, |
That he has intelligence and culture snf- |
iicent to direct him in the tasi:.
Finally, Notwithstanding my critical |
friend kindness in framing resolution
for me to present to the annual confer |
euce, | greatly prefer to use my own ideas
in my own language. Should ! ever be |
under the necessity of perpetratng a |
plagiarism, for this OF any other purpose,
| should select from an author who knows !
the difference between the H$@ and the (
abuse of the Kings English.
There will, think, Mr.. i litor, be no
occasion for me, in any event, to trouble
you with any farther communications on
this subject. r. W. ToDD.