The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-01-27
RAGT1ME ON CHURCH ORGAN.
Brethren and Sisters AstOnished by
Strains From the Sacred Pipes.

',Ragtime" music has gained a foot
hold in one of the most aristocratic
churches in Evanston. At a reception
Ion church Thursday night the old pipe
organ, which has never known any other
than sacred music beloved and squeaI-
Old Town Tonight and Just Because
She Made Them Goo-Goo Eyes"
A large number of the most prominent
at the dinner, which was held in the
church After the dinner there were
speeches by the pastor. the Rev. ]. w.
Francis, and the guests of honor. After
they had finished it was announced at
those present would be entertained by an
lmpromptu musical programme in the
seats were filed the organist was asked
to Play for the detection of those present
She went to the organ and, after mo-
Hot Time in the Old Town Tonight
After the first measure was played the
audience was horror-strlcken. They had
expected to hear ear; a Bach sonata or Sc
lection from THE Messiah" The older
| members. who have been good Presby-
terianS for years, Strengthened I'D in their
seats and rubbed their ears and won
dered what was the matter with the old
organ. 1t had never been known to do
anything in the least undignifed, ard
they could not believe that they were
mistaken in the tuner A murmur of dis
approval ran through the audience
Seine one suggested that it might be a
prelude to some piece which had not
| Others, thought that perhaps the church
had adonted some Salvation Army song.
| When the first bars were finished aid
| the chorus was reached all realized that
| there was nothing of a sacred kind in the
piece. and that the instrument that had
been taught 'Old Hundred" and Rock
! o. AGES was being profaned.
There We're some in the audience who
did not think that the music could be
improved upon. They were tFSsa young
people They caught the refrain and
finished the tune that inspired the SOL
oilers as they climbed San Juan nill sho
RECEIVED hearty encore.
She returned to the organ, pulled out
few more stops, and began playing a
sacred interlude. This was not what
the listeners s.aeI wanted, and the piece re-
oyer there was a faint ripple of ap-
plause. a moment later some one start
ed the handclapping, and it soon became
general. The organist knew what was
touched the keys and started on Just
Because She Made Them Goo-Coo Eyes"
When the verse was finished and the first
notes of the chorus rolled from the deep
throat OF the organ, the notes SWelled
until the music sounded like thunder
storm on a spree. The music became az
g1ddy as that of a country dance. The
sWindjammer' who pumps air into the
lungs of the organ caught the spirit and
worked until tie pipes roared like a
Kansas cyclone.
By this time those who used to dance
the Virginia reel and the hopping waltz
had begun to like the music. Some said
1t was a revelation in music, and Others
said that the Salvation Army is tne
years In advance of the church, bc-Huse
1t has adapted sacred words to poDpllr
music. There were some in the aud IE,e
who did not approve OF the new depart-
ure, and said that 1t was wrong to intro
duce the music of the hurdy-gurdy into
the church