The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1891-07-09
Sunday Band Concerts.

To The Editor Of the Press:
few weeks ago while in Boston, stroll
ed out to hear Sunday afternoon concert by
the Germania Band. on historic Boston Com
mon. entered the Public Garden where
were crowds of people dressed in their
Sunday BEST" and also many who had no
Sunday best" especially the children; but
whose faces were instinct with the harmony,
beauty and holiness of the Sabbath Day in
this beautiful garden, made more bright by
millions of poisoning plants and making
glorious the day for the worship of the Su-
preme Being who, In His goodness, made
these flowers in their glowing colors, one of
the emblems of His loving promises to the
children of men.
In the distance. from the Common, came
the melodious strains of the band and as
/ went nearer, the crowd increased till
mass of people of every nation and condition
of men. women and children; all these, yes,
and even the dogs. seemed to feel instructive
ly that the day was holy. On many of the
faces of the toughest of the men and ragged
boys, the hardness seemed to be smoothed
away by the light of the spirit within, which
responded to the touch of their better ma
lures called forth by the solemn, beautiful
strains OF music.
The brilliant sunlight. which came i n long
rays through the ever-varying green of the
beautiful, graceful elms, and the trees sway
ing In the soft singing breezes to join in the
exquisite harmony of the measures, and as l
looked around on the up-surned faces of the
crowd and realized this power of music for
bringing out all the best that is In us and
purifying for at least few hours, the hearts
of all who listened, thanked in my heart
those at the head of the city government
who provided this concert on Gods own day
for the benefit OF the masses, the ma jnrity of
Is, one built with hands; and /, like the rest,
came away at the end of the concert, invigor-
ated, refreshed and strengthened for the du-
ties of the week to come.
When l arrived in Portland found that
our good city fathers. also mindful of the
trust committed to their care, had resolved
to do the greatest good to the greatest num-
Der by giving Sunday afternoon concerts
In Deering Park; not for the rich, with
their pleasant homes. with money to take
them to concerts. to the mountains, the sea-
shore and various places to spend vacations
aud recuperate. but for those who have no
time to breathe Gods open sunshiny air in
the day time, except Oh Sunday, who have
no homes. only places to stay in, close, hot
and noisy, and who must work every day
through the summer. TO help these, l say,
by a little additional brightness in their
lives by an hour Of sacred music. in Gods
own church, not made with hands; and when
l speak of the masses who need these con-
certs, l include also, people of intelligence
and also church members, who will listen to
them and find a sermon in the strains that
Chandler guides so perfectly to our ears in
the beautiful shadows of Deering' sWoods."
What is religion? do not believe 1t to be
something driven into the heart as nail is
driven into hard wood by the hand OF the
minister; but rather germ in the soul fOst-
cred and developed by genial influences,
growing out and diffusiDg holy benediction
of character on all who come within its in
huence.
But what have our city fathers to do with
religion? They are not intending to give a
Methodist, Congregational, Episcopal, or
even Liberal concert. They are not
church body, but state body. and they are
to care for the welfare of the people in their
charge. Therefore, let them see to it that
they are not influenced by any body of min
listers from doing their whole duty.
l see by this mornings paper, protests
against these concerts, signed by 20 minis
tiers, and that the decision with regard TO
these concerts is postponed, and there will
this country is of the people, let the people
don't read the papers, don't 60 to church and
therefore have no minister Therefore. it is
not just to let a part of the people. these
ministers, decide case against those who
have no voice In the matter. 1t is too much
like the days of Old Rome. Let us hear the
voice of the people. HUMANITY.
july 6. 1891,