Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1899-09-09


that - devotion. and that which comes
with the toss. the swing and the displsy
OF an opera house IL q hindrance to the
worship. Prom such performances We
70 away saying: what splendid execu-
tionl Did you ever hear such . soprano7
Which of those solos did you like the
better7- When. IL we had been rightly
wrought upon. we would have gone
away saying: "Oh. how my soul was
lifted up in the presence Of God while
they were singing that first hyrani I
never had such rApturous views OF
Jesus Christ as my Saviour as when they
were singing that last doxology."
Nv friend. there is al everlasting dis
I tinction between music as an art and \
music az help 90 devotion. Though
1 Schumann composed Il. though . No
zart played -. though q Sontsg sang it, /
sway with IL II IL does not make the /
heart better and honor Christ. Why
should We rob the programmes OF
worldly gayety when we have 50 mary
appropriate songs and tunes composed
In our own day, as well as that mag
nffcent inheritance OF church psalm
odv which has come down fragrant
with the devotions OF other genera
tiona-tunes no more worn out than
they were when our great-grandtS-
Tiers climbed up TO them from the
church pew TO glory? Dear old souls
how th~y used TO sing! When they
were cheerful. our grsndfathers and
grandmother used 20 sing ~NoleoeS-
ter When they were very medi'a-
tive. then the boarded meeting house
. rang with south Street" and ST I'd
mund's" Were they struck through
with great tenderness they sang
'Woodstoek~ Were they wrapped In
visions OF the glory OF the church the y
sang Zion" Were they overborne with
the love and glory of Christ. they sang
"Arich." And in those days there were
certain tunes married TO certain hymns
and they have lived in peace a great
while. these two old people. and N'
have no right 60 divorce them "Wha
' God hath joined together 1t no mar
nut axunder." Born as We have been
amid this great wealth Of church mu
= nc. augmented by the compositions o
artists in our day. We ought not 10 b
y tempted out Of the sphere of Christia
harmony and try 20 seek unconseerate
y sounds IL l. absurd for - mAlion@r
10 steal
I remark. also. that correctness ough
10 be a characteristic OF church must
IN While we all ought 20 take part ia IA
service. with perhaps a iew exception
4 We ought at the same time 10 eultiva'
= ourselves in this sacerd art God low
harmony. aud we ought TO love
'r There is no devotion in a howl or
velp. In this day. when there are
'f many opportunities Of high culture
"e thiS sacred art, 1 declare that tho
no parents are guilty OF neglect who
ar their sons and daughters grow
~ knowing nothing about music.
r~' some OF the European cathedrals I
In choir assemblies every morning a
'oo every afternoon OF every day the wh'
'ns year to perfect themselves IN this a
re- and shall we begrudge the half hour
OF spend Friday nights in the rehear'
OF sacred song for the sabbath
ign Another characteristic must be spi
ion and Vie. Music ought 20 rush from
ius' audience like the water from n roc
Fie- clear. bright. sparkling. II all the OF
nee, part Of the church service is dull. do
Aus have the music ulL With 40 ma
iod- thrilling thing 10 sing about. av
Du- with all drawing and stupidity. In
'ner IN nothing that makes me SO nsrV
as 10 Sit IN a pulpit anu tooA oA oA
Isle audience with their eyes three-four
'hty closed. and their lips almost 81
IONS mumbling the praises Of God Dun
aent one OF nay journeys preached tc
yet audience OF 1000 or 5000 people.
all the music they made together
the not equal one Kkylarki People do
this sleep al a coronation: do not let
the sleep when we come 70 . SaVic
sing crvwning.
srts. In order 10 q proper disehargs OF
a at duty. let as stand up. save as ag
ham, weakness or fatigue excuses us Sc
'ic at In an easy pew we cannot do this
and half SO well as when upright We Il
I So our whole body into IL. Let our sor
ies OF like zr acclamation OF victory.
'ston, have q right 20 sing-do not sure
, and YOUR prerogative. II In the peri
ise. snce of your duty. or the sttemps
lseide YOU should lose your place In the
for sical scale and be one below whei
great ought 10 be one c above. or you sl
acme come In half a bar behind, We wi
aimed cus< YOU. Still. IL is better 20 do IN
melo- says and sing with the spirit an
rgans understanding also"
hugs Again I remark church music
Some be congregational This opport
nment must be brought down within the
Il, and of the whole audience A song IN