The herald., 1895-12-15
MUSICAL COLUMN.

That the ev. DIR. Parkhurst is re-
former is know u to all, but that he is also
performer, mu,sically speaking, is known
to few Yet such is the fact. Long years
ago the doctor was n pianist of no mean re-
pute. indeed, his ability was such that he
gained for himself money as well as fame
by tue exercise of his talents in that direc-
ton.
The doctors father was musician, and
the son showed fondness for music at an
early age. 1t was necessary for him when
a bow to sometimes walk 2 miles for his
lessons, but he did not shirk the hardship.
As a result of this his services were in gen.
eraI demand, which he sought to do honor.
as he did everything which his mind and
will took hold of.
Those who frequent the evening meet
ings of the Madison Square Presbyterian
church have at times the satisfaction OF
beholding the energetic divine at the organ
and on such occasions an especial earnest
ness seems shown in his manipulation of
the KEYS. The family talent for music is
instanced by the fact that the brother OF
Or, Parkhurst is the orGanst of the Madi-
son Square church.
There ara any number of other clergy
men in the city of New York who are
given to musical practices. One OF the
more conspicuous is III III Hastlngs, .ne
nary, He, like DR.. TNrkhurst, comes from
musical family.
His father was celebrated in his day
both for his piano playin and Tor MS sing
ing. He gave the greater part OF MS at
tention 10 the cultivation ''r voice. na1u-
rally of remarkable conn 'ass ana sweet
ness, and his worth was rec, ,gnized' SO that
he was the leader of his ,par sh cholr while
yet hardly more than boy.
His love of music has, he declares, re-
NAMED unchanged. and one manifestation
of it is to be found in the attic ution when
he has given to the musical education OF
his daughters. The elder of them is SAID
to be one of the most accomplished pian-
lists in the city, while the younger Is the
possessor of beautiful contralto voice,
exquisitely cultivated.
The Rev. DR.. Booth, who is famous as
most dignified presiding officer OF the Pres
bvtsrian body. is another who is known as
a musician, as are DR.. Robinson, DR.. Lo-
REM of Christ church. DR.. Evans of the
West Presbyterian church, Dr. kittredge
of the Dutch church. and many others.
Some knowledge of playing the organ Is
common among pastors OF the he!no9is'
Episcopal church. but eminent artistic abll-
ity is perhaps rare among them. Clergy
men in the Protestan Episcopal church
are frequently skilled musicians, and in
the General Theological seminary, in Chel-
sea square, u course OF music is Included
in the curriculum. The common Use OF
choral services now in that body makes a
certain amount of musical training posi-
tive necessity for many priests. In the
Roman Catholic church every priest must
be able tc sing the mass, and for that
reason all of them know more or less about
music.
1t is conceded by all great minds that
music gives the highest expression OF the
mind and soul of perSon; ard 1t might
not come amiss fer more pastors to study
up a little on this subject and therefore
maintain higher standard in the musical
services of the church.
4 x =
At a recent concert given in London,
England. the occasion being the opening
night of the twenty-ninth season OF enter
tainments at Brompton hospital, Miss
Beresford JOY, a California, and if not