The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1886-06-18
WHOLE NO. 3l0


field of art. You and can comprehend
and teach to others only that which they
have given u.s. they discovered new realms
you and in order to view those realms
and gnide others lhither must follow in
their footsteps. However, it has been said
that man can discover or invent only that
which the Creator has already created.
Mozart said, "Music opens up, to mankind,
new realm; world that has nothing in
common with the outer world of sense I"
Alas! how many there are who know
nothing of this realm. Have you ever
listened to music that seemed for the time
being to carry you away from material
things? If so, you have bad glimpse OF
this world, We breath the same atmos-
phere with Palistrena when We listen to
the mystic strains of his compositions, and
we are transported to the realm in which
Handel dwelt, where we are, so to speak,
carried away by the sublime harmonies of
his oratorios. l want you to imagine a
beautiful fairy land,' with gardens of
choicest flowers; crystal streams abound
therein and the perfumed air is mclodious
with the voice of continual harmony; sor-
row and care are unknown here and the
inhabitants never grow old or weary-it is
in this realm that the spirit of Genius
dwells, and only those who comprehend
the works of Genius are permitted to visit
this realm.
We are Influenced by the music we study
or to which we listen, and if the senti-
ments of the composer be pure and noble,
we are accordingly made better as we par
take of his spirit. purpose tbs evening
to bring before you the importance of
song as a means Of praise and worship.
but at the same time l want to impress the
fact that music has a powerful influence
in the hands of Satan. Martin Luther
said; "Musc is gift of God, given to
mankind, but the Devil has stolen it"
| Would it not be well for us to pause for a
moment TO consider the nature of this art?
What is musics Webster tells us that
sounds, while our theorists say that it is a
succession of sounds either single or com.
bined that are pleasing 10 the ear. But Lam
artine goes farther than this and informs us
that music is the literature of the heart "a psy-
clio physical phenomenOn-a mystery of the
soul, mystery of the physical nature. 1t is
indeed mystery, and all that we know of
it is what we learn from the effects which
it produces. II reaches an interior, iude-
finable sense, which may be called the
''idcal," and responds to every emotion of
the soul. 1t may be called mirror in
which we see reflected the emotions of the
soul, although we unconsciously paint the
picture ourselves. l have no doubt there
are many persons in this audience tonight
reflection of their individual griefs or sor-
rows in some plaintive melody; and if in
such case the melody may have caused
you to weep, it ever after, to you, seems
bathed in tears. Associations cling TO
melodies, and the hand of time can never
efface them. Music agitates the whole
physical nature. A powerful orchestra
played near sheet of water will rufile its
surface; the deep laundering tones of the
great organ in a cathedral will produce q
visible effect upon the lights in the chande-
liers The low notes of the piano will
frighten children, the tolling of bell
makes the dog moan, and it has been as
certained that the music of the violin will
effect even mice and insects. Music has
been known to make sick people well, and
l am also compelled to say, in this con.
nection, that there are some kinds of mu-
sical performances, especially in some of
our churches, that are calculated to make
we'll people sick. Discords will produce
nervousness, while the light airy rythmical
form Of music causes others to feel like
dancing.
Music is continually welding either a
good or an evil influence in society Now
in music there is certain element which /
have mentioned before, called rythm; this
predominates in the common dance tune
and music generally of that style, but
it does not predominant in "Old Hundred
or works of higher character. There is
a class of musical composition that may be
compared to certain class of literature
which we have today, viz;-the dime novel,
and those trashy stories which poison the
minds of so many of the youth of our
country. In the higher forms of musical
composition, that which is fascinating,
gives way to that which is real and sublime
we are influenced by that which is ex-
pressed in the harmony, which is ennobling,
and makes us purer and better.
There is no doubt the vocal and chcral
societies throughout our land have done,
and are doing great good. Young men.
who otherwise might spend their time on
the street corners or in the saloons, are
drawn thither and their tastes and ideas