The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-11-23
Interesting Services at the Church 0;
the Messiah.
SERMON BY BISHOP CLARK.
Music is Older Than nIan-B Before He
Came the Forth Was Filled With
Music and song-EIoquent Tribute 60
the Art Divine.

At the Church OF the Messiah last even
ing a special service was held in observ-
ance Of ST. Cecelia's Day, acalender fes-
tival In the Episcopal church. The
service was mainly Of song and the fol-
lowing musical program was rendered.:
Cornct solo, "Lost Chord d"................s Sullivan
w. A. Fsnner.
Hymn, Professional 571 ...... ....................
7. A. jeffrey.
Psalm cxlvi...... ........... ..........
j. Battishill.
Psalm cxlviii..... ..............,....
j. Battishll.
Psalm cxllx.....
j. Turle.
p. Humphrey
Magnihcat. Nunc Dimitts. King Hall, In fat......
Anthem. "The sun Shall he No More.".. ..........
Ia. ii. Woodward.
Hymn mn2sl.....-.............. ................
III. w. Parker.
Gloria Patri, King Hail, in B fiat. at.................
Anthem, "The Radient Noon n"......................
IL. II. Woodward.
Presentation of arms. "oId Hundrei."...s
Recessional hymn 4o5
s.A ward.
Cornet solo. "Inhammatus." from Ross mis-
"stabat Mater.
The rector Rev. Thomas ii. Cocroft
was assisted by the following clergymen:
Kt. Rev. Bishop Clark. Rev. Melville
Mclaughlin, Rev. Gsorre Nc c. Fiske,
Rev. Henry Basse.t, Rev. Il. q. Will
liams, Rev. De L. G. Rice, and Rev. 4. B.
Cole.
Bishop tlark's Address.
The address was made by Bishop Clark,
who spoke on the subject OF church
music. He said: Praise is the highest class
of worship. 1t is the expression OF graft
tude and veneration. The whole soul
goes out to God in this form of
worship. There are certain states
OF mind, however. in which it is
hard to sing praise. Then prayer comes
to our relief. All emotions have their
peculiar language. In the sanctuary we
sing Gods praises. When the heart Is
glad we must sing and when we do we
shape our words TO the sweet cadence of
music. This is the law OF our nature and
music has a great power. A minor key
will "a aiken sad and tender thoughts and
the major key brings AL that is joyful
aud jubIfant to the surface. We eau rem
der music into science, but we arci not
able 10 see the secret OF its magic. We do
know that different emotions are evoked
by different movements and by the tones
of different instruments. Music is older,
much older than man.
With Music and Song.
Long before man was placed upon earth
the atmosphere was filed with music and
song. The cataracts breaking over their
barriers. the ocean breaking on the soli-
tary shores, the thunder. the winds ia all
we're notes of the sweetest music.
Music is ms natural to man MS speech.
Some ask. what il the use OF music? The
question might as we'll pe asked OF what
use is color9 Because it makes the world
beautiful. Music will live long after ar
ticulate speech IL dead. and It's elements
are eternal. A religion that separates Itself
from these symbols OF God is distressing
Whatever can elevate a man and lift him
above himself impr, ssing his mind with
things immortal--thcse belon. to re-
ligion and cannot be omitted.
Bishop Clark then spoke at length on
tie developement OF the church organ,
tracing it's use from the first to the pres
ent. The organ stands as the leader
among musical instruments and Is best
adapted TO the purp s,s Of divine worship.
1t is capable Of expressing emotion of the
mind from the most tender aud sad to
the mos. joyful aud jubilant.
Organ Music.
Under the skillful touch OF the organ
ist the organ becomes imbued with life
aud causes pulses to quicken that defy
the elcquence OF the most noted speaker
Tie music Of the church should be inn
proved. 1t shonld be intelligent. There
is no special edification in listening 10 a
choir where it is impossible TO catch
u word or tell I'm what
language the words are spoken. The
music should never be allowed to become
tedious. It's so when there is too much
If IL. Then the music should be for the
most part OF n familiar nature. Let the
service be interspersed with tunes that
everyone knows. The prosperity .of the
church depends on the pastor and the
music. Strive to make the latter better
and better, and while il may never be-
come perfect yet IL VIII be gratifying. and
when the time comes that muse and
harmony becomes one their life will it,