Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1893-07-07
REV. DIR. TALMAGE.
The Eminent Brooklyn DivineS Sun.
day Sermon.
Subject: "The Song of Birds"

iect to which most people have given n
thought and concerning which this is tn
first pulpit discussion-namely. 1.-THE Song Q
Birds" II all that has been written concern
ing music by human voice or about must
sounded on instrument by finger or breatl
were put together, volume by the side o
volume, it would I'LL hundred alcoves 9th
national libraries.
First, remark that which will surprls,
many, that the song of birds is a regulated
and systematic song, capable OF being writer
out in note and staff and bar and clef a
much as anything that Wagner or Schumanl
or Handel ever put on paper. AS we pass thu
grove where the focks are holding matin o.
vesper service we are apt to think that thu
sounds are extemporized, the rising or falling
noto is mere accident, it is flung up an(
down by haphazard the bird did not know
what it was doing it did not care whether il
was long meter psalm or madrigal. What
mistake
The musician never put on the music rack
before him Memberships "Elijah" or Bee.
thoven's Concerto" in G or Spohr's B fiat
symphony with moro definite idea os TO
what he was doing than every bird that can
sing at all confines himself to accurate and
predetermined rendering. The oratorios, the
chants, the carols, the overtures, the inter
ludes, the ballads, the canticles that this morn
ing were heard or will this evening be
heard in the forest have rolled down through
the ages without o variation. Even tho
chipmunk's song was ordained clear back in
the eternities. At the gates of paradise ii
sang in sounds like the syllables "Kuk p
"Kuk ~ "Kukp' just as this morning in a
Long Island orchard it sang 'Kuk !'''Kuk -
"Kuk!" The thrush at the creation uttered
sounds like the word Teacher p Teacher =
Teacher p as now it utters sounds like
"Teacher % "Teacher p "Teacher ~
In the summer Of the year 1 the yellow
hammer trilled that which sounded like eff ~
"Tf y" 'Ifr' as in this summer it trills "If -
"Ifr' 'If!' The Maryland yellowthroat in
herits and bequeaths the tune sounding like
the words "Pity me, pity me, pity mel The
white sparrows "1seep, tseep' woke our
great grandfathers as it will awaken our great
grandchildren. The "Tee-ka-tee-ka-tee-ka
of the birds in the first century was the same
as the "Tee-ka-tee-ka-tee-ka" Of the nine.
teenth century.
The goldfinch hes for 5000 years been
singing 'De-ree-dee-ee-ree." But these
sounds, which we put in harsh words,
they pat in cadences, rhythmic, soulful
and enrapturing. Now If there ia this
order and systematization and rhythm
all through Gods creation does it not
imply that we should have tho same
characteristics in the music we make or
try to make2 Is it not a wickedness that
so many parents give no opportunity for the
culture of their children in the art Of sweet
sound? If God stoops to educate every blue
bird, Oriole and grosbeak in song, how can
parents be SO indifferent about the musical
development ofthe immortals in their house
hold2
We want hemisphere campaign Of hosan-
mas. From hearing blind be5gar sing Mar
tin Luther went home ct forty years of age
to write his first hymn. In the autumn I
hope to have a congregational singing school
hero during the week which shall prepare
the people for the songs of the holy Sab
bath. II the church OF God universal is 60
ing to take this world for righteousness,
there must be added hundredfold of more
harmony az well es q hundredfold of more
volume TO sacred music.
Further, l notice in tho song of birds
that it is a divinely taught song. The
rarest prima donna Of all the earth could
not teach the robin one musical note.
Singfisher flying over the roof of tenn
pie aquake with harnonies would not
,atch up one melody From the time
hat the first birds throat was fashioned
IN the banks of the Gihon and Hiddekel
winged creature has learned nothing
rom the human race in the way OF carol or
lnthem. The feathered songsters learned
Ill their music direct from God. He gave
hem the art in a nest of straw or moss or
ticks and taught them how to lift that song
nto the higher heavens and sprinkle the
,arth with its dulcet entertainments. God
ashioned. God tuned, God launched, God
fitted music And there is kind of music
hat the Lord only can impart to you, my
nearer.
Songs like that which Paul commended to
he Colossians when he said, "Admonish one
mother in psalms and hymns and spiritual
ongs, singing; with grace in your hearts, to
he Lord" Songs like Moses sang after the
tragedy OF the Red sea, songs like Deborah
md Barak sag at the overthrow Of Sisera,
longs like Isaiah heard the redeemed sing as
10 came to Zion. Oh. God, teach us that
lind Of song which Thou only canst teach
md help US to sing it on earth and sing it in
heaven. 1t was the highest result of sweet
sound when under the playing Of Paganini
me auditor exclaimed reverently, Goa,
God r. and another so5hed out, "Oh, Christ p !
Further, remark in regard to the song OF
birds that it is trustiul and without any fear
If what may yet come Will you tell me
low it is possible for that wren, that spar"
-ow that chickadee, to sing so sweetly when
hey may any time be pouhced upon by a
awk and torn wing from wing? There are |
ruel beaks in thicket and in sky ready to
lay the song birds. Herods on the wing. |
1odocs OF the sky. Assassins armed with |
ron claw. Murderers Of song floating up |
nd down the heavens. How can the birds |
ing amid such perils2 Besides that. how is |
he bird sure 10 get food2 Millions of birds |
ave been starved. Yet it sings in the dawn
Iithout any certainty Of breakfast or dinner
r supper. Would it not be better TO gather
3 food for the day before vocalizing.
Besides that the hunters are abroad.
ang goes gun in one direction. Bang!
oes q gun in another direction. The song
ill attract the shot and add to the peril.
For every bird thousand perils and disas-
RS lowering and sweeping round and round.
ct there it sings. and it is q trustful song.
ne bird that has it the hardest sings the
yeetest. The lark from the shape of her
avs may not perch on tree. In the grass
er nest is exposed to every hoof that passes.
NO OF the poorest shelters of all the earth is
le lark's nest. If she sings at all. you will
lpect her to render the saddest Of threno-
es. No, no. She sings exultingly an hour
ithout pause and mounting 5000 feet with.
1t losing note.
Further, in the sky galleries there ara
ngs adapted to all moods. The meadow
TX is mournful, and the goldnnch joyous,
ID the grosbeak prolonged of note. But
e lbretto of nature is voluminous. Are
u sad? You can hear from the bowers the
no of your grief. Are you glad? You can
ar an echo of your happiness. Are
u thoughtful You can hear that
lici will plunge you into deeper
o.ound. Are you weary? You
ny catch n restful air. SO the songs OF
rds are administrative in all circumstances.
Id we would Go well to have o hymnology
r ali changes of condition. You may sing
ur woes into peace and rouse your joys
to greater attitudes. Upon every condition
body and soul let us try the power of song.