The Washington times., 1895-04-20
SONGS TO HELP THE SOUL
Christian EndeaVOrers Attend a
Musical Mass Meeting.
ONE THOUSAND VOICES HEARD
First Baptist Church the Scene Of Move
Religious Event Which Will Lead to
Move Vigorous Evangelical Work on the
Part of Young observation-disclosures
by Mr.. Foster, Mr. Clark and Miss Kohler.

Christian Endeavorer who can not sing
is rarity. In this city at least such a
person is an unknown quantity. There is
no member of the local union who isn't
capable of turning a tune. Therefore it
was foregone conclusion that the musical
mass meeting of the District Union in
the First Baptist Church last night would
be harmonious success.
1t was the first meeting held under
the auspices of the musical committee, but
it is safe to say that each of the 1 900
EndeavoreTs present last night is anxious
that that committee may soon have con-
troll of the programme at another musical
meeting. The experiment of seating the
audience according to the part each per-
son sang was tried with most satisfactory
effect.
Mr.. Percy s. Foster, chairman of the
music committee, occupied the double
role OF presiding officer and musical di-
rector. The accompanies were Miss
Alice M. Kimball, pianist; Mrs. c. V;
Byram, organist, and Messrs. Edwin S.
Tracey and ElphonZo Young, Cornetists.
FINE CHORUS WORK
That familiar congregational anthem,
Come Thou Almighty King" was the
OpthlDS uuIlDcI anu with indI GbiNHHlIOn
favorite, "1here Is Sunshine in Ny Soul
To-day" which followed, afforded al
excellent opportunity for chorus wolk.
Mr.. Foster feelingly alluded 10 the death
of Mrs. w. s. Macarthur, wife of the
unions eX-president, and Mr.. NJ NJ
shand offered an appropriate prayer
BY a rising vote Secretary Sleman was
authorized the " Of ba
union
After a brief address of welcome by
Pastor G. A. Stakely and prayer by W. H.
II. Smith the battlecry of District En-
deavorers, washington, '96," was sung
eva more heartily than when the local
union was so vigorously conducting the
campaign for next years convention.
But the Endeavorers diL% not sing all the
time, and after Washington '96," Mr.
Foster introduced Mr.. Charles S. Clark,
chairman of the committee on music for
the convention Of '96, who spoke on Chris
tan Endeavor Music" Music should be
a part Of every religious meeting, said the
speaker, and the character of the sing
ing must be according to the purpose of the
meeting. In a Christian Endeavor meet
ing the selections should be hymns ofprayer,
power and praise. Trifling jingles and
formal, lifeless music should be avoided.
He deprecated too long a use of one par
ticular hymn book as tending to that ia
miliarity which breeds contempt for the
hymns. He spoke of the importance of
having good music committee in each So
ciety, and outlined the duties of such a
committee. Referring to the music for
the convention of '96, Mr.. Clark said
elaborate prep arations for the perfection
of that feature were being made, and the
work.
HIT OF THE CONVENTION.
The next hymn, Scatter Sunshine, ;" Mr..
Foster said was the ''hit' of the Cleveland
convention. 1t was sung with fervor and
harmony which brought vivid memories to
the minds of the delegates to the big gath
ering in the Forest City.
Spirituality in Our Music'' was the SUBJ
ject OF the second address by Miss E. E.
Kohler of the New York Avenue Presby-
terian Society. Whatever lacks the spirit
of praise and harmony, should be eliminated
from congregational worship. Christians
should not lose sight of the meaning of the
sounds. Churches should not employ singers
in their choirs who do not believe the words
they sing. By such action the music would
lose none of its power and effect.
Following Miss Kohler's paper a number of
new hymns were rehearsed, notably, Loyal
Soldiers the words of which were written
by Mr.. John ID. Morgan and the music by
Percy Foster. The hymn, dedicated to the
District Union, is conservation prayer the