The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-10-29

romance. Let me urge upon the protes-
sion the necessity, by precept and ex-
ample. Of leading out students to take
broader view Of art; to read history.
! biography, mental and moral science.
and philosophy. Do not allow dexterity
TO preiomlna,e over intellectually. If
Mr.. Howe's ideas were thoroughly put in
practice. thes tigma OF ''narrowness"
which has so long attached ID the pro-
fession OF music, would surely be lost.
The exclusive study and practice OF
music does naturally tend to narrow the
mind and range of thought; or at least
this has been the case under the old rule
OF the prominence Of dexterity. But
with the growing idea OF the need OF gen.
eral intelligence in the work. new or
der Of things willie be instituted and
broader lines of thought developed. 1t
is not we'll 10 allow the mind 10 follow
too narrow a channel IN any direction.
The too close concentration OF the mind
upon any one idea tends to weaken and
dwarf the intellect. Brain force gains
power by use, as the muscles grow by
exercise. Let us then bring our very
best powers TO the study OF music. We
should not be satisfied with doing GER
tain things simply because our instruc-
tor orders US TO do so. but We should
s;pdy the matter, and get at the reason
for the order. If we are taught that We
should open the mouth wide in singing,
We should study the structure o. the
mouth, throat and vocal organs IN order
to form an intelligent idea OF why ii Is
best to do so. Many people fancy that
no great mental power is necessary 10
the makeup of a good musician. This
is an erroneous idea. and should not pass
unrefuted. Musicians should no: be sat-
isfied with an inferior position in the
realm OF intellectually; they should
claim and take high rank in life. In
order to do this they must associate with
tine best men and the best books. Iney
must cultivate the best in themselves,
develop their mental powers, and widen
their range of thought; never lose an
opportunity to associate with people or
high culture and broad thought. Let
the mind be constantly in receptive
state, ready to take in and assimulate
the very best that comes from inter-
course with those of high attainments
Great minds must influence those by
whom they are surrounded. Light and
darkness cannot occupy the same space
at the same time, and whenever. by con-
tact with a brilliant mind. ray of light
falls upon US, the darkness Of ignorance
must, by just go much, be dispelled.
Music Of itself has powerful influence
upon human life. We can scarcely over
estimate its elevating, refining and help
full effects. II has been said that per-
son VINO whistled was never known to
have committed suicide. We do not at
test this statement, but do hold that
the love, study and practice Of music
tends towards a cheerful and eontented
spirit. Let US then take our stand for a
higher grade Of music and Musicians. IN
our homes, in our public schools, our
churches, and our music halls. Let US
surround our children with an atmos-
piere Emusic, teaching them TO cult
vate love for the best in this, as care
fully as We train their taste in litera-
ture. or amusements. Not to all is it
given to sing like the immortal Jenny
Lind or to become masters of the art
like Handel, Hayden, Mozart or Beetho-
ven. But l do believe that he, from
whom comes every good and perfect gift
has implanted in each human heart the
divine germ of song. which needs but
to be tenderly matured and wisely Gull
tivated to develop into great harmony.
In some lives, alas. this germ Is starved,
for lack Of proper nourishment; in others
1t is we'll night chilled to death by the
biting frost of incongeniai and unsym-
pathetic surroundings; while yet, again.
In others il lies dormant for lack of wise
development and a proper channel of
expansion. Some one, with a more poe
tic soul than mine has expressed the
thought in these beautiful words:
Standing today by the great church
organ.
thought, how strange II a thing so
grand.
Should be forever and ever silent,
Waiting the touch Of Master Hand.
Never a sound could the strong lungs
utter,
Never an echo Of melodies,
Unless the fingers Of some musician
Should fall on the snowy keys.
And thought Of the hearts SO like the
organ,
Hearts that are aching with silent pain,
Because their strings are burdened with
music,
And they cannot utter single strain.
And the world looks on and never guesses
The sounds that would be sweet and
grand,
If only the waiting keys could answer
To the touch Of a Master Hand"
PhilaIsFophv-lts History
Mrs. NJ. II. Finn Of Sedgwick spoke on