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

same book, and, In turning the leaves, their
fingers have been seen to come in collision.
Owing to near-sightedness, or indistinct type,
in juxtaposition. These things are, of course,
subversive of the laws which bind upright
and virtuous society together, unless the ar
guments urged against certain other absorbing
amusements fail to hold good when music is
in the combination; but this will hardly be
admitted. Music is an Indispensable accom-
paniment Of the dance. In the absence of
music one of the chief attractions Of the
rollerrink is gone; if there were no music
who would go to the circusg Music, in fact,
is leading feature of all the sinful pleasures
of the day.
1t will perhaps be argued that sacred song,
as the singing of hymns is called, cannot be a
harmful form Of music; but this proposition
is open to dispute, even when sacred song rs
music, the terms by no means being synon-
ymous. Sacred song is sometimes the most
insidious weapon used by the enemy. When
young man lifts his 'heavenly tenor voice
and joins in the congregational singing at the
church into which he has CHANGED to stray,
the pious but susceptible soprano in the next
pew cannot refrain from turning her eyes in
his direction even though he be sinner; and,
"Alas alas the woe that comes
From lifting up the eyes,
The influence of music is sensuous, and
though the words be expressive of devotion
and sublime faith it is not always the senti-
ment which produces the effects; the senti
ment, too, has been known to be misappied
in such cases. 1t is, of course, incompatible
with Christian practice and precept to turn
the sinner out of doors; but the saints, and
especially their offspring, should not be en-
dangered Something should be done to
shield the youthful mind from the seductive
influences which draw it from the contempla-
fections upon its souls salvation. The only
feasible way is to Danish music. If music
could be properly regulated, so summary
procedure might not be necessary.
If the devotee of music would
allow his thoughts to dwell only upon solemn
and sacred things when practicing his favorite
art, would, as advised by distinguished
moral preceptor in a parallel case, sing and
play only to the glory of God, the extreme
ko1 1s1.l,t IL
But, unfortunately, this is a rule which,
however desirable, can hardly be carried into
effect So demoralizng is music that its fol-
lowers are often known to fiddle and sing
solely and simply for fun and nothing more.
Even youthful singers of hymns and psalms
are, at times, open to the suspicion of letting
their voices soar aloft from pure exuberance
Of spirits, and with no thought whatever Of the
exalted sentiments to which they are giving
Society may be little dull at first but what
is dullness compared with the satisfaction of
knowing that earthly temptation is re-
moved. When the worshipers of music and
the followers of other sinful occupations of
which music is an inseparable part, become
used to the vacuum, they will perhaps con-
slider their souls, and perhaps 60 to church,
and attend strictly and wholly to heavenly
concerns, as their guardians heretofore men
toned evidently believe is the end and aim of