Evening star., 1894-01-10

Organizing u Big Choir for the Great
Revival Meetings.

There are always two ends to Moody and
Sankey meetings: one is strictly evangel-
istic, and the other is musical A great
deal of preparation has been done in the
former line, committees have been formed
and the enthusiasm has grown until that
end OF the project of the great revival to
be held here in February is an assured sue
cess. Nothing has been done in the musi-
cal way until now, but the chances are that
this too will boom until it will promise just
as great a success as the other. There will
be monster meeting of the vocal talent
OF the city tonight at the First Congrega-
tional Church, which will be attended by
the leading pastors in the Moody move
ment. as well as by Mr.. Sankey, who has
run over from Providence for the purpose
of starting the organization of the great
choir
This notice will serve as an invitation to
every possessor of a singing voice in the
District of Columbia to be present and to
join the choir. All denomnational lines
have been disregarded in this movement,
and the members of all churches are ex-
pected to attend and help swell the grand
choral. The series of meetings commences
on the Ith of February, and this leaves
very little time for organization, drilling,
rehearsing, and perfecting the l,jOO voices
that are expected to be enlisted. At the
present series. being held in Providence,
there are between 800 and 800 voices, and
the local managers hope that Washington
give at least 1,JO0, which will not be any
more than needful when the enormous size
of the Convention Hall, where the meetings
are to be held. is considered.
The work of organizat ation and leadership
has been entrusted by the general commit
tee in charge of the meetings to Mr. Percy
5. Foster, whose extended experience with
church vocal music fits him especially well
for the task. For over two years he was
the president of the local Christian En-
deavor organization, and after his retire.
ment from that office he organized the c.
+. choir, which has become one of the
features of musical Washington. The idea
has erroneously gone abroad that the forth
coming organization is to be known as the
c. E. choir, and is to be composed of men,
bers OF that association only. But this is
incorrect. The chorus that is to be started
tonight will be known the Moody choir,
and will include every voice available,
whether their owners wear the silver letters
or not
at dinner at the residence of DR.. Hamlin,
and the three had an informal conference
about the projec: of raising a chorus of
loo. Both DR.. Hamlin and Mr.. Foster
agreed that it was perfectly feasible, and
at Mr. Sankey's earnest solicitation they
determined to waste no further time, but
to get at the work of organiza ton at once.
So the meeting tonight will be held The
main floor of the church will be reserved
for all singers who expect to unite with the
Moody choir. and the general public is re-
quested to take seats in the galleries.
The meeting will begin at 1880 o'clock,
and will be a general praise service, Many
of the city pastors will be present and MIR.
Sankey will sing several solos, well
relate few of his interesting song stories.
All the church choirs and singers of all de-
nomina tions are cordially invited, and are
requested to bring Gospel Hymns No. 8. A
few brief remarks will be made by the
leaders in this work. and general plans of
the work presented. No tickets of admis-
sion will be required.
Prof. Charles j. Toof will preside at the
organ, and Messrs. Elphonzo Youngs, jr.,
and Edward Tracy will play comets.
Mr.. Moody has written to the local man.
ayers of the meetings expressing the hope
that the Washington choir will make the
record of the country. He feels that the
musical part of the services is always of
very great Importance, and he thinks that
Washington can not only fill the great hall,
hut can set an example for the country.