The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1885-10-17
No. 1927

Nd>, Dub 30 Startling 1T liSI. 90 III
was, but we are used to it and expect it,
Such picture, and yet it is true to life.
Among that aristocratic congregation
yo4 hear the qualities and exquisite
sly lie of the choir extoled to the highest
while the pastor is hardly thought of,
5 mU oh less his Sermon The questions
; that naturally come to us are: Have they
bcdn benefited spiritually? Have they
bedn brought nearer to God? Do they
feel that they have been worshippng
Him in truth and in Spirit in his holy
temple during that service by the aid
of that Choir? Have they sung SO as to
pave the way for the pastors sermon?
We fear not. Look well upon that pic
ture, then upon this and mark the con-
trast. Let us walk to that church where
the choir has cultivated soul music. AS
you approach its portals you hear the
organist playing voluntary IN strange
weird, but sweet and soul-stirring style
1t fin1s response in your soul; your
whole being is stirred by sublime awe,
and as you advance you feel like pulling
off your shoes; you are walking upon
holy ground, silent prayer goes up
from your Utmost soul to the throne of
Grace, whose music is love, Joy and
peace. The choir begins the service,
the solo is sung, it comes to your soul
like sweet balm borne upon some
| gentle breezes-now it sounds soft and
clear-now it swells full and mellow,
then to a gentle cadence until it is lost
in the distant echo;gently two voicesbegin
the duet. How it glides along, the soul
| giving utterance and action to every wold
every meditation and expression, full of
hope and faith, you feel it--there is
| height and depth to it. The chorus G.
gins, your soul is filled by the holy spirit,
the congregation is drinking at the foun-
tain, joy and peace comes that passeth
understanding. The pastor opens the
sacred book, takes his text, breaches the
word of lite, dropping the good seed into
the fallow ground of the heart. See the
Christian as he sits in silence, tears of
joy coursing down his cheeks, his soul is
uplifted, he is communing with the
music around the throne, giving glory
and honor to the Lamb that was slain.
The last hymn is sung-ah, yes and it
is sung like the new song, the new song
that John spake of in Revelations, tho
song of the redeemed, how it is echoed
up to Heaven, and re. echoed back again,
bringing within its folds perfect peace.
Need we tell you what the expressions of
| those people are as they leave the temple
of God? The radiance of their faces,
like Moses after defending from the
mountain top, speaks volumes. Hear
them: "Oh it was good to be there
"a feast to the SOUL" BLESSINGS were
showered down upon us, &c. The means
used, the choir and pastor are not given
the praise, but God the glory, for having
lifted them to the very gates of heaven
Soul singing is the secret of successful
| choir singing. It was this grand style of
music that made such masters as Mozar.,
Handle, Haydn, Beethoven and Mendel-
shon; their names and their music are
inscribed high upon the scroll of musical
honor. 1t may be asked, can this pei
| lection of soul music be obtained? We
answer, yes. it can. Mozart, Beethoven
| and Mendelshon and others with the nat
ural gifts they possessed, could not have
achieved what they did, if their gifts of
nature were not aided, strengthened and
increased by rigid study of the most pro-
found kind, bringing the soul 10 bear
upon it to finish and complete its perfec-
ton. This soul singing that we would
advise to be cultivated, the principles of
which are like those of defamation. wien
one who understands that art prepares a
piece to recite, he first learns it thor
oughly, after that the soul of the art is
brought into service, putting in accent.
emphasis, infections and expression So
| when the singer wishes to perform or
render a piece of music, he must first
learn it thoroughly, then put the soul
| into it for the finishing touches. Their,
and not till then, will music be heard ard
felt in its true melody and purity. Prayer
is an earnest supplication or petition off,
cred at the throne of God. Music is the
soul lifting power that brings us nearer
Heaven; 1t is in harmony with the music
of Heaven, and finds willing and wei.
come response only there. Go with me
into the chamber of the sick and suffer-
ing and offer up the fervent prayeri in their
behalf, twill bring calm repose by faith
that all is well, that they are safely resting
in the cleft of the rock, but the weary
one feels there is something wanting, and
! you sing some sweet hymn for him. How
soon his face will brighten: Become
radiant with joy. Soul music is lifting
his weary spirit heavenward, his pain
and suffering seem. to be gone, he is
looking away-beyond this vale of teals
and is sweetly blest. Now visit the bed
side of the dying christian-calm and
serene his brow; years has he served God;
he is one of those who have come up
through trials and tribulations. Prayer
and faith in Gods word and promises
bring him comfort and peace. He docs
not look at the tomb; he knows that lie
will not see its darkness and gloom. All,
no he whispers, 81 shall fear no evil for
he will carry me over the tide" Yes, he
is only waiting for the Master to come.
How his eyes are set towards heaven;
with outstretched arms as he realizes the
truth of the song, sob, Beulah land,
sweet Beulah land" Yes his soul is
lifted to the highest mount, and he looks
away across the sea, where mansions are
prepared for him; he views ''the shining,
glorious shore, his heaven, his home for
ever more" How the music inspires his
weary soul, sorrowing and signing have
fled away, it has carried him to the very
gates of Heaven, the scenes of earth are
receding from his sight, Heaven is OPEN
ed to his view, he laughs at death, reach
ing up his hands in blissful confidence,
and excIaims: Saviour | come Spread
but thine wings on yonder shore. see,
Ye waters bear me o'er;" this sound is
shut in to go out no more. The music
of Heaven, like soul music, drives away
our fears, it inspires and encourages the
hayward traveller as nothing else will