The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1905-07-07
FARMvILLE, VA, FRIDAY, JULY T. 1905
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SuppOsing / 60 20 a great musical
genius like Theodore Thomas, lately
translated to the harmonies Of heaven
and say: "Mr Thomas, want your
orchestra TO play music that / can sing
and understand. Please do not play
for me so many Of those musical rig
marOles which cannot grasp" Mr.
Thomas would reply: young man, II
you do not know what good music is
then the sooner you learn II the better
You have a diseased appetite for mu-
sic. / will develop for you a healthier
musical appetite" Thus the great mis-
sion Of Chicago's late musical genius
was not so much to render good mu.
sic as to educate the taste Of the peo-
pie up to the high musical standards
when they could appreciate and de-
mand good music. God bless the life's
work, well fulfilled. Of Theodore Thorn
as, who taught mankind how TO appre-
ciate good muslcl
Now, my Christian friend, by the
same law you may have a diseased
spiritual appetite for spiritual associa-
ton. II you cannot find enjoyment in
communion with Christian people, then
the sooner you learn how 10 enjoy their
society the better. You are exactly In
the position Of the frivolous girl or the
dissipated boy growing up in a Chris
tian home. Such children are never
happy unless they are of at some par
ty or visiting some nelghbor or attend
ing some tneater. But after awhile
they will find that the sweet, gentle
fellOwshlps OF n Christian home offer
the best kind Of enjoyment. The quiet
reading Of a book by the glowing hearth
In the sitting room Is one. The loving
caress Of mothers or a wife's hand
Is another The playful prattle Of a
little child, the quiet prayer, the sweet
memories Of long years that are past,
are others. The hopes Of the years to
come. being talked over. offer the high
est Joys this side OF heaven. o man.
do not think that assOciatlng with men
Of the world offers 10 you the acme of
pleasure. If you cannot find any en-
jOyment IN the fellowship Of Christian
people, then the sooner by the grace of
God you kill your diseased spiritual
appetite the better for your own en-
joyment and the better for your life.
That you can govern your love for
the good and your dislike for the bad
or the Indifferent was illustrated 10
me by the experience Of lady men,
ber Of my church who Is very fine
musician. Her brother was a happy
20 lucky young man who seemed TO
have no ear for good music. Every
popular air, every music hall Jingle,
every negro melody that had jolly
ring to IT, he knew by heart All the
noted college songs he could sing until
the very rafters echoed. But the deep
er, sweeter, holier calls Of the great
musical masters fell unhecded upon
his dull ears. This brother, who was
a fine athlete, had his leg broken and
was brought home from college and
had to lie in bed for about six weeks
During those six weeks his sister had
to continually practice for a difficult
performance which she was about 10
give before a famous musical society
of the city. At first the brother pro
tested. He wanted 10 hear her play
some Of the popular airs. But as the
language Of the musical masters kept
pouring their thoughts into his mind
and heart through the vestlbule Of his
ear there was born In his soul love
for the truly great music. The old
songs which he once loved he now
despises. The truly beautiful music
he once despised now he loves. My
friends, II you do not love the society
OF Christian people there is something
wrong in your life. You have a dis
eased spiritual appetite. The sooner
you go with the truly copsecrated peo-
pie the sooner you will learn TO love
their society. DO not make the prayer
OF my text. Restore unto me the Joy
OF thy salvation" uIiess by constant
with Christian people you
do all In your power to develop that
spiritual Joy.
My friends, iust because you have
again and again come to Christ and
tasted Of the Joy Of salvation and then
fallen away do not let your broken
resolutions keep you away from the
saviour today. First get a clean sheet.
Say, 20 God. forgive" Then make a
prayer, an earnest prayer, which will
be continuous prayer for every morn
Ing. noon and night. Let this be your
prayer, 20 God, keep me. keep mel
o Lord, keep me every step l goP
And God will keep you. brother. He
will keep you under the shadow Of his
wings. He will keep you as David was
kept. VIII you make the prayer OF my
text now? VIII you continue 10 make
the earnest prayer, Uphold me with
Thy free spirit" until Mt last he deliv-
prs you forever from all sinful tempta-
Hons at the great white throne Of heav-
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