Willmar tribune., 1898-12-07
\ PIPE ORGAN DEDICATION.
The Swedish Lutheran Trip0-
lis Church now Supplied
with a Grand Instrument.
Impressive Dedicatory Exer-
cises Followed by a Grand.
Concert.

The pipe organ is the only Instrument
upon which the grand and soul-inspir-
ing choral aud psalm music used in
this church can be very successfully
interpreted. 1t is noble instrument.
With it's wide scope and volume Of
tone'it is able, under the manipula-
tion'of skillful organist, to repro
duce from the soft plaintive air of the
flute to the overwhelming crash of a
full orchestra; from the twittering of
birds and the soft soughing of light
breeze to the startling peal of thunder
and the roar Of the storm. In it's
mighty breath is brought out the true
grandeur and depth of feeling con-
tanned in the old chorale, the sacred
inheritance of the church from the
days of the Reformation and renais-
sance period. Without wishing to de-
tract from the merits of modern church
music obtained from operatic and pro-
fame sources, we do say that there is
nothing that can replace these power
ful and soul-uplifting compositions in
the hearts of the people, who while they
may but family understand the theory
of art music, have learned to love the
strains that never fail to touch the
chords of the soul and awaken the full
spiritual life of their beings.
/ The services at the church last Fri
day morning, when the new instrument
was dedicated to it's sacred Office, were
appropriate and impressive. After
devotional exercises and a song by
the well-trained choir under the direc-
ton of Mrs. Rev. S. A. Lindholm, the
Rev. L. P. Bergstrom of Winthrop,
Minn., delivered an able address upon
church music. He traced the history
Of music from the earliest ages down
to the present time. He described the
construction of the first organs built,
and contrasted the clumsily con-
structed organs Of the early days,
when the operator was obliged to use
his fists and heavy mallets in order to
depress the keys, with the beautifully
constructed instruments of our time
which respond to the lightest touch of
a finger. He spoke at length in behalf
of "the singing church, and made a
specially well-directed plea for the
preservation of the old church music.
He contended that there was danger
that the younger generation would ex-
clusively be taught the light popular
, music, SO generally used now in the
Protestant churches, and this would
lead to the gradual disuse of our
grand old hymns.
Rev. S. A. Lindholm, pastor of the
church, spoke briefly, reviewing the
progress Of the "pipe-organ move
ment" which so happily terminated in
the dedication of this fine specimen of
the organ builders art. It was first
three years ago when the Young Peo-
ple's Society conceived the plan, and
began to gather funds for a pipe
organ. There had been some dis
couragements, and at one time a pro-
ject to purchase a cheaper instrument
had been considered, but unanimously
voted down. The society has raised
$400, and the remainder of the money
necessary had been raised by popular
subscription He took occasion to es-
pecially thank parties outside of the
congregation who had contributed
literally to the organ fund. He also
explained that according to custom
the new instrument was but sparingly
used at the dedicatory services, the
old organ still being allowed to Off
ciate, and invited all to the grand con.
cert to be held in the church in the
evening, when the powers of the new
organ would be fully tested in public,
He also read the report ~ot DR.. r.
Lagerstrom who had thoroughly ex,
i amined and tested the instrument and
found it to be good one, and built
according to the contract. s.*.5
The dedication exercises proper ther
4 took place, after which the people
arose and sang a favorite hymn, as
sisted by the new organ played by Dr.
iLagerstrom. Two selections were al
!. 50 played while the people were pass
ing out. .I..
People began ARRIVING early for tht
s yeetridg ccacers. 4le ehsattcth was hal
81 Il. .# s