The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1891-04-28
EDUCATIONAL.
THE OF MUSIC.

men shall use h art with n spirit
of reverence, will it exercise those
powers for which it is designed.
Nearly everyone will agree that a
revelation was necessary for the true
progress of civilization. He who studies
the influence of Christianity must con-
fess thatsomething higher than human
learning was required to advance the
world. Human learning has made
great advancement, yet despite it's
depth it leaves the mind unsatisfied.
There is a universal longing to look
into the beyond, a wish for a higher
existence. This yearning and longing
could only be satisfied through e.
latiOn. Hence, the tremendous power
of Christianity; hence, it's ability to
satisfy and reach the masses; hence,
the devotion of it's followers, the swift
ness of it's progress, Notwithstanding
the most violent opposition. Compare
the poor fishermen with the Grecian
philosophers. The scholars were not
without their influence; but the I'M
learned preachers revolutiOnized the
world. Let ratiOnalists say what they
will, the fact remains that without
Christianity our civilization would not
be what it is. The world had it's
Buddha, it's Ccnfucius, it's ZorOaster;
it had the great thinkers of Egypt,
Greece, and Rome; yet what was the
condition of the world when Christ
cameo Christianity is the kernel out
of which our civilization grew. Only
through revelation, with Christ as it's
centre, could the human family rise to
the present high state of culture.
It is a significant fact that the Bible
is full of allusi )ns to music. In its re-
lations to religion, music attains its
highest meaning; and next to religion
it is one of the greatest civilizing pow
ers. There is not anation that is totally
devoid of religious ideas, nor is there
one, however crude it's customs, but
has it's music. In the legends of all
nations, the invention of the arts is
ascribed to the gods. The love of song
is Unborn in all men. The Germans say
that where they sing, there you may
safely rest, for bad people have no
songs. This may be too sweeping, but
the spirit of love is the n power that
must underlie all true music.
When the angelsproclaimed the birth
of Christ, they sang, "Glory to God in
the Highest, on earth peace and good
will toward men" Music is the one
favored art of God. Ever since the
time when the morning stars sang to-
gether, music has been a means of
praise, and this honorable position
art shall hold throughout eternity.
Let us now turn from the. Good Book
as a revelation, to the fact that genius,
which is Gods gift, is, in a certain
sense, a revelation also. Men of genius
have been sent into the world, that
men may also by these means be helped
on their upward course. Shakespeare
was such a genius, and by his divine
gifts has uttered many profound say
ings. In his time but little was known
of the art of music, yet he attributes
to it great powers. In Richard IL"
in his monologue in prison the mon
arch says, while listening to music:
yet blessings on the heart that gives it me,
For tits a sign of love, and love for Richard
Is a strange brooch in this an-hating world"
See the noble influence of our art;
see the good a single musician is per-
mitted to do. Though thick walls sep
arate him from the one for whom he
played, his music calls forth a blessing
from the lips of a d~espairing sufferer.
Who can doubt that thousands of
bleeding and suffering hearts that were
on the verge of uttering a curse, have
been, through music, brought to utter
a blessing; or that thousands have
found consolation in music, when no
other earthly language would have
reached them? King Henry ", the
dying monarch, says:
Let there be no noise made, my gentle friends,
Unless some dull and favorable hand
viii whisper music to my weary spirit"
Music was to be the invisible bridge
for his pain-racked soul, on which he
might cross the chill river: a soothing
voice that should lull him peacefully
to his last sleep.
Again, in the " Merchant of Venice"
Lorenzo says:
"How sweet the moonlight sleeps upon this bank!
Here will we sit, and let the sounds of music
Creep into our ears; soft stiffness, and the night,
Become the touches of sweet harmony,
Sit,J essica: Look how the floor of heaven
Is thick inlaid with patines of bright gold;
There's not the smallest orb which thou be-
hOld'st,
But in his motion like an angel sings,
Still quiril G to the young ey'd cherubims;
Such harmony is in immortal souls:
But, whilst this muddy vesture of decay
Doth grossly close it in, we cannot hear it.
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The man that hath no music in himself.
Nor iS MT noOy-oH Nth oODoOr1 - $500 1