Waterbury Democrat., 1901-01-31
RAsTllFE ON CHURCH ORGAN.

"Ragtime" music has gained foot hold in one of the most aristocratic churches in Evanston. At reception and dinner given at the South Presby- terian church Thursday night the old pipe organ, which has never known any other than sacred music, beloved and squalled to the tune of "A Hot Time in the Old Town Tonight" and Just Because She Made Them Goo Goo Eyes" A large number of the most prominent PreBbyterians in Ev- anston were present at the dinner which was held in the church. After the dinner there were speeches by the pastor, the Rev J. w. Francis, and the guests of honor. After they had fin 1shed 1t was announced that those pres ent would be entertained by an inn promptu musical program in the audi torium of the church. When the seats were filled the organist was asked to play for the, delectation of those pres ent. She went to the organ and after moments hesitation, started off with "A Hot Time in the Old Town To- night.''f
 After the first measure was played the audience was horror stricken. They had expected to hear Bach sonata or selection from "The Messiah" The older members, who have been good Presbyterians for years, strengthened up in their seats and rubbed their ears and wondered what was the matter with the old organ. It had never been known to do anything in the least un- dignified, and they could not believe that they were mistaken in the tune. A murmur of disapproval ran through the audience. Some one suggested that 1t might be a prelude to some piece which had not been heard before in the classic town Others thought that perhaps the church had adopted some Salvation army song. When the first bars were finished and 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 of Ages" was being profaned.
 There were some in the audience who did not think. the music could be improved upon. They were the young people. They caught the refrain and hummed it, and when the organist had finished the tune that inspired the sol diers as they climbed San Juan hill, she received a hearty encore.
 She returned to the organ, pulled out few more stops. and began play ing 8 sacred interlude. This was not what the listeners wanted, and the piece received little attention. When it was over there was faint ripple of applause. \ moment later some one started the hand-clapping and it soon became general. The organist knew what was wanted. She turned again to the organ, touched the keys and started on Just Because She Made Them Goo-Goo 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 a thunderstorm on q spree. The music became as giddy as that of a country dance. The ''windjammer.' who pumps air into the lungs of the organ, caught the spir- it and worked until the pipes roared like Kansas cyclone.
 By this time those who used to dance the Virginia reel and the hop ping waltz had begun to like the mu- sic. Some said that it was a revela- ton in music, and others said that the Salvation army is ten years in advance of the church, because it has adapted sacred words fo popular music. There were some in the audience who did not approve of the new departure, and said that it was wrong to introduce the music of the hurdy-gurdy into the church.-Chicago Inter-Ocean.