Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1896-04-03

indoor recreatiOns, music-vocai and In
strumental Among the first things
created was the bird, so that the earth
might have music at the start. This
world, which began with so sweet a
serenade is finally to be demolished
amid the ringing blast Of the archangel's
trumpet, so that as there was music at
the start there shall be music at the
close. While this heavenly art has often
been dragged into the uses Of supersti-
tion and dissipation, we all know 1t
may be the means Of high moral cul-
ture. Oh, it is grand thing to have
our children brought up amid the sound
Of cultured voices and amid the melody
Of musical instruments.
There is in this art an indescribable
fascination for the household. Let all
those families who have the means to
afford it have flute or harp or piano OF
organ. As soon as the hand is large
enough to compass the keys teach 1t
how to pick out the melody. Let all our
young men try this heavenly art upon
their nature. Those who have gone into
il fully have found in it illimitable rec
reation and amusement. Dark days,
stormy nights, seasons Of sickness, busi-
ness disasters, will do little toward de-
pressing the soul which can gallop of
over musical keys or soar in jubilant
lay. 1t will cure pain. 1t will rest IA
tigue. 1t will quell passion. 1t will re-
vive health. 1t will reclaim dissipation.
1t will strengthen the immortal soul In
the battle Of Waterloo, Wellington saw
that the highlanders were falling back.
He said, what is the matter thereT'
He was told that the band Of music had
ceased playing, and he called up the
pipers aud ordered them to strike up an
inspiriting air, and no sooner did they
strike the air than the highlsnders were
rallied and helped to win the day. Oh,
We who have been routed in the conflicts
of life, try by the force Of music to rally
your scattered battalions.
am glad to know that in our great
cities there is hardly night IN which
there are not concerts, where, with the
hest musical instruments and the sweet
est voices, people may find entertain
ment. Patronize such entertainments
when they are afforded you. Buy season
tickets, if you can, for the Philharmonic
and the Handel and Haydn societies.
Feel that the 81. 80 or 50 that you spend
for the purpose Of hearing an artist play
or sing Is a profitable investment. Let
your Academies of Music roar with the
acclamation Of appreciative audiences as
sembled at the concert or the oratorio.
A Sound Body.
Still further, l commend, as worthy
of their support, the gymnasium. This
institution is gaining in favor every
wear. and l know Of nothing more free
from dissipation or more calculated to
recuperate the physical and mental en-
erpies. While there are a good many
people who have employed this institu-
tion there is a vast number who are ig-
norant Of its excellencies. There are
men with cramped chests and weak
sides and despondent spirits who through
the gymnasium might be reused up to
exuberance and exhilaration OF life.
There are many Christian people de-
spondent from year to year who might
through such an institution be benented
in their spiritual relations. There are
Christian people who seem to think that
il is a good sign to'be poorly, and be-
cause Richard Baxter and Robert Hall
were invalids they think that by the
same sickliness they may come to the
same grandeur Of character. l want to
tell the Christian people Of my congre-
cation that God will hold you respon-
sible for your inyalidism if it is your
fault and when, through right exercise
and prudence, you might be athletic
and we'll. The effect Of the body upon
the soul you acknowledge. Put man
of mild disposition upon the animal
diet Of which the Indian partakes, and
in a little while his blood will change
its chemical proportions. twill become
like unto the blood Of the lion or the
tiger or the hear, while his disposition
will change and become fierce and un-
relenting. The body has powerful ef-
feet upon the soul.
There are good people whose ideas OF
heaven are all shut out with clouds OF
tobacco smoke. There are people who
dare 10 shatter the physical vase IN
which God has put the jewel OF eternity.
There are men with great hearts and In
tellects in bodies worn out by their
own neglects-magnifcent machinery,
CAPABLE of propelling Majestic across
the Atlantic, yet fastened in a rickety
North river propeller. Martin Luther
was so mighty for God, first, because be
had a noble soul, and, secondly, because
he had a muscular development when
would have enabled him to thrash any
I five of his prosecutors il it had been
Christian so to do. Physical develop
ment which merely shows itself in faou-
lous lifting, or in perilous rope walk
ing. or in pugilistic encounter, excites
only our contempt, but we confess te
great admiration for the man who has q
great soul in an athletic body. every
nerve. musclo and bone of which is con
secrated TO right uses. Oh, it seems to
me outrageous that men, through neg
lect, should allow their physical health
to 20 down beyond repair-a ship which
ought. with all sail set and every man
at his post. to be carrying rich cargo
for eternity, employing all its men in
stopping up leakages. When you may
through the gymnasium, work of your
spleen and your querulousness and one
half Of your physical and mental All
ments, do not turn your back upon sucn
a grand medicament
Innocent Hilarities.
Still further, | commend to you
large class Of parlor games and recrea'
tions. There is way Of making oui
homes hundredfold more attractive
] than they are now. These parents can
not expect TO keep their children away
from outside dissipaiiOns unless they