The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1895-04-05
Jeremiah ingalls, and the
"ChriStian Harmony

CnflStldn harmony
To THE EDITOR OF THE OPINIoN-Sinc
the publication in the Boston TRANSCRIPT
and in the Newbury edition of the OPINIo
of somewhat concerning Mr.. ingalls,. tn
writer has received letters from severe
persons who claim to own copies OF hi
singing book, "rhe Christian Harmony
or who wish to know if portions of ancien
singing books are his or not
| should be glad to know that there ar
any complete copies of that book in thi
vicinity. do not know of one although
have examined several which were supposed
by their owners to be his, but proved to b
something else yet containing great dea
of his music.
"The Christian Harmony, by jeremiah
Ingalls, is a very rare book, so rare tina
when, more than thirty years ago, the late
DR.. Watkins made standing offer of ter
dollars for copy he was unable to Obtair
one. 1t contained two hundred pages, anc
was printed by Henry Ranlet at Exeter, N
H., in 1906. There are number of copies
in existence very much treasured by thell
owners, and there may be several laid
away in forgotten garrets. Oliver Carter
who used to live in T0psham, owned one;
what became of it at his death L never
knew. know of only five copies, and a
grandson of Mr.. ingalls, writes that he
knows of only one copy among his desctn-
dants. There are two other singing books
bearing the same name, one printed in BOS-
ton about 1920, and the other published at
Concord, N. H.; by Barrett & Colman III
1888 Both of these contain much OF MI
ingalls, best music, and several OF each are
owned in this part of the country.
Having had access to a genuine, lndispilC
able copy of his book, propose to describe
it so particularly as to satisfy the persons
who have written me as to the authorship
of the books or fragments they possess,
whether Mr.. ingalls, singing book or some
other.
The first tune in the book is "Lovely
Vine on the tenth page, and the second. is
called "CrOstic" set to an acrOStc on tile
name of Judith Brock. On page 169 is
tune called Lamentations" with long
hymn upon the death of the same Judith
Brock, and sung, tradition says, at her
funeral. This was either Judith, daughter
of Dea. James Abbott. who married Thorn
nearly all the Brooks in Newbury, and
who died in 1906, or her daughter Judith
who died in 1902 in her nineteenth year,
probably the latter. "Farewell Hymn" on
page l3g was composed, words and music,
upon the death of Polly Goold, very love-
years ago. These two have an unmistaka-
Bile local flavor, so also has ELECTION
Hymn" and ELECTION Ode" pages 16l-l65.
This was sung when the election sermon
was preached before the legislature in the
"Old Meeting House." at its session here in
1901. That was a great occasion, and Mr..
Ingalls, drilled large choir for several
weeks in preparation for the musical part
of the exercises. Mortified" is on page
1856; Jerusalem on page $50, was after
wards considerably altered by HIM and
called "New Jerusalem" No Old Folks
concert would be complete without these
two. "rhe Apple Tree on page 81 and
AN - J.,h ;n,t n
use but not by those names. And, to mem
ton no more, tune called "COmplaint,"
has, | am told like others in the book, tuI
niShed strains which later composers have |
found better than they could make for |
themselves. This, with its words, takes
up pages l57-159.
| think | have given such description
of this rare book as will enable those who
suppose themselves owners of it to verify
the fact and shall be glad to know where
genuine copies can be fund. The book is
well printed and the music is usually in
four parts-bass, tenor, treble and counter
the latter part which few living people
row now to sing.
Mr.. ingalls, continued to teach singing
schools and compose church music until his
! - = jJps- consequently some OF his
est tunes are not in his own book. Many
4 them have been stolen by compilers OF
{nging books and called by other names,
the following are identified as his
TRANQUILITY" 'Humiliy," demonstrations"
Delay which in modern hymR1a nsd Is can,
"Iowa' and sometimes "kentucKy,,
tbaritv." 'sPennsylvania," "rribunal,
EN- sci now to the words b., ION Ia Land i,i Of
I'll for thee | sigh,.' The he, Lord VIII
pvyide," and the music of ooh turn ye,
n ye, for why will We die"%%"Gelestial
arning," still mnch used, and many
am glad that so much interest has been
akened in this man and his work. III
ems to be news to most of the young peo-
BE that composer of national fame ever
iivedhere. There are many other tnlngS
in thu early history, OF Newtb nl yno %hlcn
they would be none the worse for KNOWING
A msn who could compose music which
keepAalive, and is still sung with undated
affection after hundred years Is worth
takinda little local pride in.
Mr. ingalls, descendants are very nuillel-
GUS, and were honored wherever tnty
went. lot only for their musical capablIl
ties b,,3 for their qualities of sterling ex-
celIenca F. P. WELLS.
Newbury Centre, March, 1895,