The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-03-15
THE EVIL OF MUSIC.

Word comes from Wilkesbarre, Pa, that a
married woman of that place has abandoned
her husband and family and eloped with a
professor" not of roller-skating but Of mu-
SIC Over in Ohio, the other night, the fair
young daughter of prominent citizen attend
ed an amateur concert in company with the son
of another citizen, not SO prominent. On
leaving the hall the two, before vending their
way to their respective homes, visited an ac-
commodating clergyman, and were made one,
contrary to the wishes Of the maidens parents
aforesaid. Down in Georgia church has
been rent from turret to foundation stone,
spiritually speaking, by the unseemly be-
havior of two members of the choir, Of OPP
posite sex but of harmonious temperament
Similar occurrences are by no means infre-
observation must admit; and these instances
are mentioned, not on account of their sngu-
larity but merely by way of calling attention
to an evil with regard to which there is q
strange apathy among those who are supposed
to have the moral welfare of the community
at heart. 1t is, of course, hardly necessary
to remark that music is the evil referred to.
Were it not for music, there would be no pro-
fessors of the art, and the Wilkesbarre woman
would, in all probability, be at this moment
occupied in washing up the breakfast dishes
for her husband and children, or in other
domestic pastime suited to the hour
1t cannot be truthfully said that
without music the amateur con-
cert would not be, for painful experience
proves the contrary; but, at all events, it would
not take place without belief on the part of
the performers that they were musical. In
the absence, then, of the concert, susceptible
young people would be deprived of one oppor-
tunity of meeting and mating contrary to the
laws and regulations made and provided by
their elders. Without that amateur concert
the Ohio couple might have been forced to de-
lay marriage for lack of opportunity, and in
the meantime might have been circumvented
| by the old folks. Without music there would
! be no choirs, though, alas, there are ehoirs
singers would not have had equal opportuni-
ties for scandalous firtations. Were it not
for the singular indifference shown by the
guardians of youth to the immoral tendencies
of music it would not be needful to point out
the many directions in which, danger lies
The power of music to attract crowd, and
especially crowd of young persons, is ire
sistible; let there be music in the air, or the
hope of it. and young men and maidens of all
stations and grades of society are sure to as
semble. Even a street band, as demonstrated
during the late lamented campaign, never fails
ingly asked from the pulpit, in connection with
another variety of gathering, how can our in
nocent sons and daughters escape contamina-
| ton in such mixed assemblage of their fell
low-creaturesY Impelled by the destinations
of music young persons go to singing classes,
they get up concerts, they go to the soul-de
| stroying opera, and at all of these gatherings
| they are brought into companonship and
contact with strangers, which can but be de-
moralizing, according to the opinion of their
| spiritual pastors and masters, as expressed in
regard to another popular vice.
! Every one must have observed that the ex-
| gencies of music, whether vocal or instru-
mental, demand the close personal attention
of the participants. Young men and women
are frequently compelled to read from the