The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1899-11-02
"Sweet Singers of Searsport. !"

mnCh interested IN an article Wnlcn APP
peared in your valuable paper under the
above heading, sept IS, 1899, written by
a former resident whom | well remem-
ber and who. as appears. modestly omits
his own name among The ''Sweet Singers
mentioned.
ON OF about the time mentioned by the
PROSPEROUS and wealthy towns along our
coast. 1t was larely seafaring commu-
nifty, and the principal industry on shore,
or at the village, was ship building and
the several branches of industry connected
Herewith, The population of the town
was then much larger than it is to-day. 1t
consisted mainly, not of common day
laborers. but of intelligent and educated
business men and mechanics, nearly all of
whom had homes of their own, and many
Of them large families, literally educated,
musically and otherwise. In that town
there appeared to be an unusual amount
OF musical talent, and it seemed to develop
and increase from one generation to an
other SO far as have been able to learn
most Of the original settlers in the village
formerly known as the Corner or Shore
Village then portion of the cid town of
Prospect, Wee musical, There were but
few 9l the Nickels; Parks, Houstons,
PoGJHs, Pendletons and Gilkeys, the
names most common in the community,
but We're noted il that respect. / remem-
bel we'll that choil of the Congregational
olul4h, the leading nomination in that
village. when as a boy l first attended
that church. The Rev Stephen Thurs
ton Waa pastor, a man OF strong intellect,
W!Q, to a Large extent, ruled. not only the
C1ulcb, but the entire community at that
time spiritually and otherwise.
TIE interior Of the church was finished
with high pulpit in one end, and with
galleries on thee sides. The gallery OPP
IQsite Jlo pulpit was designed for the use
oi fine c-oir wholly. The choir, as re-
ucmbel it, consisted of twenty five or
ttii-y Ielsous including several perform
els NJ u~ica Instruments, viz, bass vio) !
bar~"oA. i'N'es' ana claflhe1S. lheSe
several asst iheliS were tuneo ana placed
I'D Accord aelele each service, ol sundry
-elape> and toots while the congregation
Understanding. The sopranos and altos
sat ID tont oI The basses and tenors, eX- |
cept+-e ieaAel tony gentleman who sat
i'll front with the sopranos. That impo1-
tauJ individuals whose name l viii not |
mention, I remember very well. This
leader, attel Ehe reading of the hymn, an
LouLceG III loud voice the tune to he .
SUM also book and page. When all was |
ready each instrument mentioned was
sounded. from which the leader took the
eue md pitched the key, humming the
ti~- mote o.! Zach part, and il the tune was
1ainol. rs follows, viz la, 81, do, re, me,
lie. le. ii, a-a-a-a, each member at the
same time caught and hummed the first
note Of their respective part after which |
all arose and sung, The leader commenc- |
ed each verse and line Just little before |
the others. Nhen the Key was sounded,
all tie congregation arose ana faced the
cAolr As a lad was deeply impressed
with the Whole performance, and l re-
membel that 1t then was my greatest am
bltlou 70 become member, at least Of
that choir AT some time do not recall
any material chah9e ID the makeup t
that ehoH untll some unIegenerate fellow,
without the rear OF Gou as then and there
welSHlPed' before ms eyes, introduced
N''4iA al0 played tAal nhholy instrument
Win 9@eieo music ana, moreover, It's ma
hlN'1l'la mao 'Ae aodaclty 10 play inter-
lu'e7 between me verses as sung inns IN
ho}au"n as might nave been supposed, |
1o-Nrd " commouon II the choir and CON
gre4aT1on, Which Tor time appeared |
50 serious that Deacon F. add many others
loud proclaimed they would no longer
attend hat church as worshipels, ''if td-
dies were played in the house of God.
Happily, however, these dissenters were
soon after quoted and reconciled by a |
compromise, which ended the use of all |
these Instruments by the purchase of a