El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1896-12-30
A WORTHY ORGANIZATION.
The American Guild of Organists has
Been Organized in New York.

Been organized Ill New YORK.
An institution that is ere long bound
to make its influence felt for marked
good in the musical world. has been
established in New York with a mem
bership that is including the best organ
talent in the United States. The insti-
| tuition is the American Guild of Organ
lists. incorporated under the laws OF
| the state of Newly ork, and W hose aim is
| to foster and encourage the develOpe-
ment of church music in its highest
and noblest sense. The best Organists
in New York belong to the Guild, and
! that body lately formulated its prin-
ciples, under the title of "a Declaration
| of Relig Gus Principles of the American
| Guild of Organists." The declaration
says:
For the greater glory of God, and
for the good of his holy church in this
| land, We, being severally mem bers of
the American Guild Of Organists do
declare our mind and intention in the
things following:
We believe that the office Of music in
Christian worship is a sacred OblatiOn
before the Most High.
We believe that they who are set as
choirmasters and as Organists, in the
house of God ought themselves to be
persons OF devout conduct, teaching the
ways of earnestness in the choirs com
mitted to their charge.
We believe that unity of purpose and
| fellowship OF life between ministers and
chOirS should be everywhere e5ta bliSh-
ed and maintained. We believe that
at all times and in al places it is meet,
right, and our bounden duty to work
and to pray for the advancement of
| Christian worship in the holy gifts of
i strength and nohleness: to the end that
! the minds of men may be instructed,
that the honor Of God s house may be
guarded in our time, and in the time to
| come.
! Wherefore, do we give ourselves
! with reverence and humility to these
endeavors, offering up our works and
our persons in the name of him without
whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy.
Amen.
The Guild recently held a public
meeting in St. Bartholomew church
in New York City, where it was
addressed by Bishop Potter. The
bishop made stirring address. in
| which he said: Musical art does not
| exist for itself. but that it may lift the
souls OF the poor, the weak. the sinful.
and the sOrrowing to a higher living,
| and closer relations to the divine. Ev
| en- worship is not an end, but means
20 an end, and music has great power
! to bring to the mind a consciousness of
| the vastness Of our need and the near
l =
lists calling then is great and august,
and fiippancy in either life or work is
peculiarly homogeneous. There are
| thoughts and emotions that can find
| no expression in words, and music
can often hush the irreverent and
induce in them a wOrshipful spirit.
| The words strength and nObleness
| in the declaration of principles are
suggestive. Worship music should
have body and sOlidity, not thinness
and catchiness: it should be strong and
| therefore inspiring. The union Of eff
fort made possible by the Guild will be
helpful in many ways: yet the member
ship should not forget its duty to bear
with and cOncede something to the
overbearing music committee and
often ignorant pastor. Yield a point
to low taste now and the for the sake
of having a tune announced that the
people will sing, but do it with a re-
servation; resolve to lift the taste by
degrees as it can be done. The por-
trait of a noble a man may not be
great picture or display the character
of the sitter when it is made by a
painter who lacks high qualities
himself. The artist can put into hi
work only what he possesses himself.
Be then men of noble ideas and great
aims; then you will better serve.
The Guild will admit to it's member
ship only performers of the highest |
attainment and uprightness of char
acter, and that is what will make it !
such power for good in its special |
sphere. Already members take a just |
pride in affiXing a. G O. to their |
names, for this means something 1t |
is expected that the Guild will ultim-
ately be empowered to confer degrees;
and it now holds examinations and |
gives certificates corresponding to the
character of the examination passed.