The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-04-16
BIRDS SING EASTER CAROLS
A Choir of Canarfes and Mocking-Bfrds
Take Part I'm Easter Services I'm an
Atlanta Church.

The sweetest note in the grand Choir
US of Easter music swelling up from
Atlanta yesterday morning was sung
by a band of birds in Trinity church.
They were golden-voiced with ~gladness
at the advent of spring, and they sang
a melody that touched the more ro-
bust chorus into an inspiration sub
lime in exquisite purity and perfection.
The birds were canaries and o
ing birds in cages swinging from the
chandeliers in Inc Sunday school room.
brilIiant-pIumed linnet led the bird
chorus. They were all borrowed for
the occasion.
The idea of a natural orchestra to
supplement- the Easter music at the
church originated with Mr.. D. E. Luth-
er. who is superintendent of the infant
department of the Sunday shool.
The idea was carried out by Mr.. c..
III. Girardeau and Miss Jennie Arm
strong. The plan was kept a profound
secret in order that it might be sprung
as a surprise o. the children n the
elder ones when they assembled at the
church Easter morning. The surprise
feature exceeded the expectations of
the o~riginators.
AS the congregation assembled in the
auditorium for the services the birds
appeared subdued and somewhat
frightened. save for an occasional
chirp from a canary they were silent.
The birds, as decorations, along with
the palms and the lilies banked in the
room. were very beautiful, but their
true value to the Easter occasion did
not reveal itself until later. when the
auditorium was literally packed with
bright faced children in Easter raiment.
TIL -AnIa1 fn-rA ~ IN -ln1 -ra-
1ude. Then the linnet smoothed down.
its ruffied feathers n lifted up its
golden voice in song. inspired to the
melody by the music of the organ a
canary in the center OF the room Joined
in, too. and then another and another,
until the whole happy band of yellow
songsters were s~training their tiny
threats in hosanas. The hooking birds
came in with their fiute-like notes.
sof' ening the tone of the feathered
orchestra. but lifting it higher and yet
higher until the melody filled the church
and loated out through the windows
into the glorious sunshine of Easter
morning.
AS the voices of the birds rose high
er the organs tones were softened.
During the prelude the birds furnished
the volume of music. their harmony
blending with the artificial music in
singular accord. Later. when the
voices of the children were lifted I'D i'm
Easter anthems. the birds redoubled
their vocal power. Such a thrilling
and altogether beautiful melody as that
voice of childhood supplemented by the
voice of birds produced has never be-
fore been heard in Atlanta.
After the first chorus or two a dis
tinguished looking gentleman who had
been drinking in the melody from the
rear of the auditorium arose n asked
permission to address the assembly.
He said he had never observed a more
and beautiful song service.
though he had travelled the world over.
was Colonel w. D. Mann, of New
York. owner and proprietor of Town
Topics and The Smart Set" both
publications.
The birds Diped their tuneful laws
during the entire service. seemingly
After the service was over
half the congregation remained to adj
mire the little songsters. 1T was hours
before the charm and inspiration of
their melody died away in the breasts
of those who heard it.-Atlanta Jour-
7al