New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-12-03
MUSIC FOR. THE POOR.
Experiment To Be Tried in Opening
the Churches on Weekdays.

Are the tenement jewellers OF New-York City
in need of musical entertainment If So how
can it be provided for them in all parts of the
city2 Cleveland Moffett the writer, believes
that they and that he has found way to
give them concerts Of good music without any
cost to them, and very little to anyone else. To
morrow night the experiment will be tried in
the form Of concert Of instrumental and vocal
music in the Church Of the Ascension, at 9TH
ave. and 10th-st Tickets. which will admit to
the church. have been distributed to between two
and three thousand persons, through settle
ment house. Mills hotel, and other social or
CARNATIONS. The music will be by such COM
posers as Mendelssohn, Wagner, st. Saens, Schu-
bert and Handel, and the musicians will include
Charles Heinroth, the organist of the church,
and Daniel Names. the first vioIinist OF the
New-York Symphony Society. There will be no
religious service in connection with it. prayer
nor religious music.
Mr.. Moffett's plan is to secure for New York's
poorer population what the cafes OF Paris and
the gardens Of Germany provide. by utilizing
many of the churches in different parts Of the
city Millions of people" Mr.. Moffett says.
should have as a right some pleasure after
their toll, something to cheer and uplift them,
something more attractive than the saloon-say,
good music. Think of the noble organs in
thousands of silent churches. untaxed churches,
built by the gifts Of the people, and therefore
belonging to the people, organs that will,
fear be playing Misereres one of these days II
these things not thought about"
While the plan has been approv5d by Bishop
Potter, the Rev. DIR. Stires. Dr. Lyman Abbott
the Rev. Percy S. Grant. Jacob H. Schiff Rich
ard Watson Glider, the Rev. DR.. William P. Rich
ards of the Brick Presbyterian Church, Arson
Phelps Stokes, the Rev. DR.. Morgan Dix, the Rev.
DR.. R. S. Macarthur. P. f. Collier. Henry siegel
ex-Mayor Seth Low. Mayor Mcclellan. Dr. Will
lam t. Bull, John ]. Huyler and District At
torney Jerome, practical objections have been
raised which might prevent some churches from
entering such q scheme. One was suggested by
a we'll known worker in the University Settle
ment.
splendid" said he; "a fine idea" He smiled
and shook his head. g.
whats the matter?" Mr. Moffett asked.
you can't do it. The churches won't have It,"
because they're selfish: they haven't the true
Christian spirit They-well, if you want
practical reason. they'd be afraid Of their cush-
IONS"
'But," Mr. Moffett protested, recognizing what
the worker meant. poor people ride in street.
cars where rich people ride, and"
YES" he said, but you try 1t. When you get
church on 5th-ave willing to fill Its pews with
tenement jewellers, let me know
letter in which he said: mot only does the
rector of st. Thonlass Church thoroughly be-
neve in this work. but he gladly offers St
Thomas's Church for this purpose"
At the first meeting Of the committee, which
grew out Of Mr. Moffetts suggestion, one wom-
an, otherwise broadmfnded, declared that Tor
her part she would never approve OF using
churches places Of prayer and sacred memories
for popular concerts Others, she declared,
might do as they pleased, but the pew she paid
for should not suffer such dissertation. She with
drew in righteous disapproval, although urged
to show how church would become less sacred
40 Io1r, Thn T1nO p
dark and silent.
The rector Of one well known Episcopal
church would not consent to the OF his
church because it was consecrated building,
but offered the use of the parish hall.
THE hail." said Mr. Moffett, would almost
defeat the object of the plan, for most church
halls are barren, and the pianos second rate.
Think Of 'Tannhauser being thUmped out on
such an instrument The church has the ma
chinery and can add to the effect Of the music
that of the architectural surroundings. There
Is religion in good music.
DIR. Joseph Slverman rabbi Of the Temple
in 6th-ave.. found no religious obJec- |
ton to using synagogue in the way proposed,
but he saw two practical difficulties.
I'm the first place" he said, IAN invasion OF
East Side toughs would inJure the synagogue |
men would spit on the carpets and |
scratch the pews with the nails of their boots |
In the second place, Pm afraid they would steal |
prayer books hymn books, etc. But purely |
religious grounds L see nothing against the |
plan"
The Rev Father Ducey of st. Leo's Church, |
felt that it would be irreverent to the blessed /
De used In this way.
In the mean time the Church of the Ascension. |
st. Thomas's Church, the Church OF the Holy |
Communion, all Episcopalian. the Church Of the |
Epiphany and the Judson Memorial Church, |
Baptist, have been offered and concerts will be |
given in some Of them. 1t is believed that by /
distributing admission tickets through the work |
ng channels Of the churches. social settlements |
cts, the only objections which have been Of |
'ered may be met. The idea itself has been |
avorably received Following the giving Of the |
lrst concert, tomorrow night, a permanent /
committee to arrange for other concerts will be
selected.