The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-03-22
IMMORTALITY or MUSIC.
Hymns devout and holy psalms
Singing eyerlast lngly."

A11Ii6hI6 sSNSi Atio Sib6iS
Milton.
Is music immortal, having unendinE
existence7 Is It true, as declared BY
Upton. that "the human soul and music
are alone eternal7" It Is true that the
idea OF Heaven cannot be dlssoclated
from melodious harmonies. ''IIeavenly
cholrs' and Heavenly music" are
phrases in common use and accepted as
verlties. Revelation tells Of the songs
Of the heavenly host Inspiration, ma
Iture, and the cravings OF the human
heart all point to a heaven OF song. SO
that It Is impossible to conceive OF n
heaven without music a
Music Of some sort has existed in all
countries, and at all times, and while
1t Is the most universal In Its influence
Of all the fine arts, It has been the slow
est in Its development, It's greatest
achievements being counted almost with
In the past hundred years. Nevertheless
good music best serves to express the
purost emotions and the noblest longings
Of the human soul. It gives endurance
to tho burdened, the footsore and the
weary. 1t dispels antago nisms and dissi-
crystalzcs the loftiest sentiments and
the tenderest susccptibilItles Of the hui
man heart, and sheds halo Of divinity
about It's purest aspirations. As George
Eliot expresses It, Music arches ever
this existence with another, and a
dtviner one" Surely these are attributes
TT for Heaven and eternity. Bishop Rev-
erdge tcstihes that when the music
sounds tn sweetliest In my ears truth
commonly flows tho cloarest into my
mind; and Symonds says that music
Is the rurest art of pleasure-the truest
paradise and playground Of the spirit"
If, then, music prepares the soul for
and helps lift 1t into Heaven, It will
not be denied tho employment Of 1T
there; and If 1t alone Is co-eternal with
tho human soul, music becomes Of tran.
scendant Importance to mankind. 1t has
been said Emusic Is ono preparation for
Heaven" Perhaps there ought to be
drawn here distinction between music
as fine art and the songs OF praise
and worship The rendering Of the choir
should be artistic as well as spiritual.
but the congregation, as Individual wor-
shippers should unite in the hymns
devout and holy psalms" Unhappily the
congregations Of at least some of our
churches are not efficient in that kind Of
preparation for Heaven.
Singing and prayer arc the Chief
features of public worship. Neither
can be dono by proxy or delegated to
another. II either be performed merely
perfunctorly or mechanically, the
church is yet long way off from what
constitutes true worship. The Apostle
urges 'psalms and hymns and
spiritual songs, singing and making
melody in your hearts to the Lord, and
says, II will sing with the spirit, and I
will sing with the understanding also"
Alas! we're that but true. If that kind OF
singing were generally practiced. there
would be less occasion for mourning be-
cause the churches are not filled with
worshippers.
Music. like most Of the benefcent gifts
of the benign Creator, has been misused
In this world and made to debauch In
stead of to elevate and purify. but that
is not the fault Of tho art, nor Is 1t the
music of Heaven; nor the immortal kind
we are discussing; nor the kind to be
cultivated. 1t Is true that even great
musicians who have the gift Of the divine
spark within them--and all really great
musicians have it-often devote their
talents to music which may be construct
ed artistlcally enough, but which APP
peals, and is Intended TO appeal. TO the
baser natures of men, but that does not
| change the fact that music. like the hu.
man soul, Is immortal 1t may become
corrupted by association, and at times
| desecratod to serve base purposes In this
world. but It will DO purified In Heaven.
The mystery of tho power of music
may be a question for the psychologist
to fathom. but It will only be explained
at the last by accepting tho great verify
Of its immortality. the Gifts Of God to
mankind, the echo OF ultimate happiness,
and foretaste of Heaven itself.