Omaha daily bee., 1902-02-09
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deliver an address to the membership Of
the Young Women's Christian association
on a subject which was chosen by its
committee and which was one of a series
Of home culture talks. TIL subject al
lotted to me was Music in the Home"
Owing to the fact that there were other
people on the program, 1 was obliged to
give to certain phases Of music in the
home a very cursory treatment.
Since the occasion referred to the mat
ter of home music has been to me a very
constant thought, because, after all, the
home is the citadel of the true American
citizenship and the one sacred shrine
which attracts worshipers Of every creed,
condition and cult.
It is In excellent idea on the part Of
the Young women's Christian association
managers to bring before their young peo-
pie the possible powers inherent in them
selves to make the home beautiful by
means of art. music, ETC. This is not a
case Of lecturing young women on their
duties to the home, nor is 1t a transcen-
dental picturing forth OF ideal conditions
existing somewhere in Mars or Jupiter,
but the course is designed to interest SEN
sible, educated, Industrious and earnest
young women in looking with a seriousness
of purpose and q sincerity Of will on the
things which they, individually, could do
by their influence and example toward the
accumulation and preservation of the very
best results of mental development In each
particular home.
Those who gave the addresses were
stirred by a spirit Of ministry rather than
missioparyism. In the talk IN music 1t
was suggested that there was much good
music between the street ballad and the
classical symphony. In other words, there
was to each home its special music with
out having to descend to trash or become
involved in the mystic studies Of counter
point and fugue.
The first question touched upon was the
relation Of the home to the church and
the consequent reflex influence Of church
music upon home music. This is q
and to which I was unable to give
much attention, when one had to
discuss instruments and Instrumental
music, voice and vocal music, con-
corted music and musical literature-that
is, the musical books and magazines best
suited to nome reading.
The influence Of the church music upon
the home is one Of tremendous Importance.
Notwithstanding the fact that some home
people tell us with an air OF more or less
startling self-suficiency that they never
darken the church door, but I take 1t there
are very few persons whose birth is sig
nalixed merely by a legal entry at a reg
istry ONCE, whose marriage is performed by
a justice of the peace and whose funeral
obsequies are conducted exclusively by an
cfncer Of a secret society, an undertaken
or a grave digger.
1 am inclined to believe thai the church
Is usually invoked on the occasion Of a
baptism, marriage OF a death, and these are
the three great chapters in a LIES story.
In the days Of old it was a customary
practice for the family to assemble fire.
quently and sing together the beautiful old
songs Of the heart and hymns Of the soul.
Many a young man and young woman whose
ambition to adopt the strenuous life has
brought them into our cities, can look back
with fond reeollections to certain quiet
hours when the members of the family sang
together to the accompaniment OF the
humble and much-abused instrument OF
missionary value. the reed organ. Per-
haps the hons was rich enough to boast
the presence Of a piano. and perehanee
some stringed instrument was also to be
found.
Many a business man, weighted down
with the cares of competition and the
struggle for supremacy. can bow his head
In his hands for a moment and let his
thoughts wander back to a certain cheer
full room, and can hear again the strains
Of loves old sweet songs. the Ninety and
Nine" Nowadays we find on the easy
payment piano not the songs OF Zion or
the o oaken Bucket" but the unworthy
offerings OF the music hall and vaudeville.
1t is a hard saying, but none the less a
true one. that when We look for the origin
Of this desecration OF home music we must
admit with tears OF remorse that having
studied the question through and through, a
good share OF the blame must rost on the
church.
And whyi The answer Is simple, alas. too
simple and too patent.
The church has in manv instances forgot
ten the dignity, the everlasting truth and
tremendous potency OF its great foundation
fact" and has sought to attract attention
by clothing that fact In a tawdry and tin
seled costume so that Il might resemble
"-netion." to attract the vulgar attention.
/ firmly believe that when the church
returns to the contamination OF It's vow
embodied in the words;
Faith Of our fathers, holy faith,
We will be true to thee till death
then the hons will throw aside the music
Lee \ nonsy-mAkinE Manufacturers and