The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-08-31
THE MINISTRY OF MUSIC.
Discourse by Rev. M. w. Darling, of Elkhart,
at Plymouth Church.

DISCOURSE by rev. NJ. w. Daftiny, or Eiknart,
at Plymouth Church.
At Plymouth Church, Rev. NJ. W. Darling, of
Ekhart. spoke, yesterday morning, 1.-THE
Ministry of Music" The text, from I Samuel,
chapter xvi. verse %, was as follows "Ard it
came to pass when the evil spirit from God was
upon Saul, that David took harp and played
with his hand; so Saul was refreshed and was
well, and the evil spirit departed from him."
The speaker said that this instance is a good
illustration Of the power of music over the soul
1t was but a touch of that divine minstrelsy
that is tabled to have perturbed spirits since
man came into existence. William Congreve
wrote:
Music hath charms TO soothe the savage breast
TO soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak"
And literature is full of legends telling
how music hath done more than the
powers of earth and air. Apollo charmed
the tabled gods of Olympus; Orpheus awakened
the trees of the forest with his melodious notes
tin they came forth dancing to the rhythm of his
lutte after the fashion Of men; Arion SO entranced
the dclphins of the sea with his heaven born
music that they carried him on their backs to his
home and friends; Ulysses, in his wanderings
was compelled 10 fH his companions ears with
wax that they might not hear the enticing notes
of the sweetsinging but dangerous sirens;
Crce, IN her palace waved ner golden stan
while she hummed the melodlous notes that
bathed the souls of men in earthforgettng Bliss
Handel eevates the thoughts and aspirations of
men in his oratorio of the messiah" till the vast
audience, rising from their seats. are ready TO
echo the words, THE glory of the Lord, the
glory of the Lord shall be revealed; who shall
abide the day of His comingl" The soldiers of
Cromwell reverently uncovered their heads,
sang Psalm, and went forth to victory
The soldiers of Italy battle for freedom
under the inspiration of Garibaldis HYMNS and
Napoleon always relies upon the national air TO
give the last touch of enthusiasm before assaling
the enemy. Jenny Lind sings million dollars
from the pockets of English and American
audiences, and draws twice that number of
tears from their eyes. Florence Nightingale
holds the hand of dying soldier Ola the Bos-
phorus, while the words from her mouth are tn Q
balm and healing oil to homesick and famished
souls. Shakespeare tells in Midsummer Nights
Dream" how the stars shot madly from their
course to hear the sea maids song.
Music hath the power to soothe, to awaken
emotions of JOY and peace in the SOUL 70 stir to
seton. TO inspire to worship to warm the heart,
quicken the pulse, start the tear and thrill the
whole being. We may never be able to tell the
difference between tweedledee and twedledum
but, nevertheless we own the power of melod-
Gus sounds to stir the heart to newness of life
We may not voice music, but we
agree with Shakespeare that the man that
hath not music in himself is fit
only for statagems and spos. Music is
heaven born angel, whose ministry is to lead on
yard and upward TO heaven born things Next
10 love it would rank highest in the calendar of