New-York tribune., 1905-05-21

L-st-llIt -tSS 10 ID OC4A-s
"reminiscences Of the early organists of P1yna-
outh Church have been recalled by the opening
Of the reconstructed Beecher organ Perhaps
the most famous was John Zundel, who presided
at the organ for twenty-five years and was
close friend of Henry Ward Beecher. When he
became old and feeble the title of organist emert
tus was conferred upon him. and he sent
back to his % home IN Germany to pass his last
days in quiet at the expense of the church. Zun-
oeI was the composer of many tunes, two of
which are known throughout Christendom-
Charles Wesley cJesus Lover Of Ny Souri,,
and "Beecher'' Glove Divine, All Love Excel
ing"). The words TO the latter were written by
Professor Robert r. Raymond, father Of DR.. r.
", Raymond, and IS thought Of as Plymouth's
.town hymn. General Horatio c. King, who acted
assistant to Zundel for twelve years, in speak
ing him says:
With him music was religion and religion was
music Ah, M kink," he said to once in
ms Lrohrn f-IgIsh, Il cannod bray NIT my lips
but bray nit my fingers" And so he did. He
INFUSED worship into his playing. The three in
Cispensatle requisites Of a good church organ
ist correct appreciation Of tune. a good knowl-
cage OF harmony and a reverent spirit-John
ne1I degree His infalble rule was 10 play
over the tune in the exact time IN which
ne desired the congregation TO sing il. He
MADE 10 fancy variations, no acceIerations
~ 10 LS'1-us, LoJhlhg That was not indicated
IN the directions 0f the composer There was
--o totDilLS OF larmOuleS, holding down TO
.I1I-o-ui OF ci-oTcs or striking into each verse
VIA growing arpeggio, in faipt imitation Of
-9t1'i- lL1ii-eF- There was a perfect uniformity
80 l-5 praying or the lnterudes that is he
layed an luJerlude after each verse and
mus me congregation was never left in doubt
as 70 MS intentions or rushed headlong into
the next verse, stumbling, as Il matter of course
because uncertain and unprepared, There wore
10 attempts al display, no fancy flights of in1ag
ILaLoL, ana, above all, no "reminiscences OF
tlnatore' or the prevailing craze in light onara
Of The Flying DltcbT77a6 ,Ioee 81 + ti SdeI
TDy.-.
beautiful interludes. which y--4~ little svrn
phonles fuil Of the tenderest feeling or if the
sentiment suggested II. crowded with brilliant
1crce and majesty.
An excellent oil portrait Of the eccentric old
organist has i place OF honor in PIymouths COL
lection W.
As the Beecher organ, modernlzed In every
particular, with an electric pumping engine TO
furnish the wind and all the most recent i'm
proNements. starts on its second epoch comes
The news that old Joshua LAVAL. the blind
colored man. who for forty years manipulated
the organ bellows in Plymouth Church, is to
enter the home for aged negroes, in Kingston
ave- next month. Blind since the day of his
birth, IN Philadelphia seventy-eight years ago.
Joshua. with the shrewdness often found in the
aiillcJed' has gone through life enjoying himself
ana picking up good living. He was educated
al the New York Institute for the Blind and is
norough student Of the Bible He was friend
q hehry ward Beecher, and is wei known in
Shufch circles outside Of Plymouth Church. He
mas always made his way about the city alone
without the slightest difficulty and IN bie
:ouhgef years was a familiar figure in the
io"er section Of town. Many artists have en-
pto!ed MN as a model, as he has a striking cast
o. features having a strong mixture of Jewish
piood IN his Veinc. Joshua says that he has used
toDacco since he was five years old and he finds
Iotnlng at variance with leading Christian life
~ taxing MP or two Of grog every day. A
HAe ana SIX chhdren, who once mnistered to
Joshuas happiness have all nassed ava, ar5
ne is alone IN the world. For some time he has
been living IN q coziIy furnished room at No n
tulton-st, but with advancing old age he feels
that II would be better for him to be where he
could have care and attention. His many friends
have promised 10 provide the funds to keep him
IN the negroes home.