The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-02-23

great merit We're delivered, embracing
a wide range of thought and many
phases of belief. Prominent among
these was the sermon delivered by Rev.
f.. A. Bisbee, of Philadelphia, to the
members of the Young Peoples Chris
tian association at All Souls Universal
ist church on Pine street, upon the oc-
casiOn Of the annual gathering of the
Susquehanna Young Peoples Christian
association. one feature of the rever-
end gentlemans sermon was the bold
manner in which he expressed and en-
phasized the tenets of the Universalist
church and the attitude of the church
in fostering the growth of Young Peo-
pies societies. The speaker could fair
ly be taken as an example of the caliber
of the members of All Souls church,
who, although small body in num-
bers, have worked with great determi-
nation and consequent success with the
younger members. In proportion to
numbers, this congregation would com
pare very faVorably with the remain
ing churches for its large quota of
young and energetic members.
siOns at the convention will explain the
success of the policy of the chucrh.
The question of "How far the church
should support amusements for young
people" was discussed by the members
In practical manner, which will COM
mend itself to all persons Interested in
church work A COncensus of opinion
prevailed that a church which de-
nounces the conduct of young men
guilty of common, every day sins, yet
fails to supply or indicate a remedy
lacks those progressive elements of
Christianity which are so essential in
solving the great problems of the age.
Whatever the creeds of the Universalist
church may represent their attitude on
the great social question Is fully in ac-
cord with the modern ideas of persons
interested in tho work.
Church Music.
w. G. Weedcn's engagement to organ
i2e and conduct a chorus choir at the
Second Presbyterian church Is hailed
with delight by all lovers of congrega-
tlonal church music i'm the city, and
may fairly be taken as an indication of
the superior popularity of the chorus
choir to the quartette I'm this city. Ev-
cry musician Is entitled to his opinion
nevertheless, experience and expediency
seem to point strongly to the supremacy
of the chorus choir. The quartette Is
an innovation, which, in the minds of
some people, reduces the church to the
level of a concert han, and their argu-
ment that the object of a quartette Is
rather to popularize the church than to
popularize the church music must be
admitted to be a strong one, superficial
ly, at least
Further, the contention Is made that
there appears to be u tinge of incon-
sistency in the quartette singing 80
Come, Let Us Sing Unto the Lord" and
"We Praise Thee, o God" while the
congregation takes no active part In
the praise. Congregational music should
increase in popularity as educational
facilities are developed. and the great
opportunity afforded to young musi-
clans to assist in chorus choir should
be one of the leading features of every
church, as opposed to the policy of sum
marily precluding the many beautiful
voices which abound I'm all congrega-
tions, from joining in praise and song.
There Is, unfortunately. tendency
in some of the city churches to favor
the Substitution Of chorus choirs by
quartettes. If the intention Is carried
into effect, II must be deplored as a ret
rogressive step in the hserest of church
music and church advancement,
Few OF Scranton's citizens are aware
of the great amount Of work quietly a