Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-04-13

ito artist Rubcns and my favoritc poet
1.ongfcllow or Tennyson. like what
I Ike and dislike what dislike, and |
cannot help it. Now, if I dislike to as
sOclnte with the class of people who
make ZIP our distinctiveiy religious
gatherings, such MS are found In the
missionary society. I am not to blame.
I am no more to blame than am be.
cause dislike Goldfish or mackerel and
like apples and grape fruit"
ALI, yes, my brother, you are TO
blame. You are individually RESPONSE
BILE for your likes and dislikes. II you
do not care to associate with Christian
people In Christian gatherings. then 1t
Is high time that you learned to enjoy
their society, and the quicker the bet
ter. Because I do not love them now
that 10 no excuse why should not
learn to love these people. Surprising
l was a dyspeptic. supposing I had for
years been living on Holsters and veal
and ham and pork and cabbage and
tries, supposing on account Of my dys-
pepsia was sent to a sanitarium,
what would be the first order Of my
physicians7 PUT that man on the
simplest diet" Because tell my
physician do not like plain toast and
milk and cold bread and good, whole
some beefsteaks and potatoes would
that make any difference7 No. My
physician would reply: Then the soon
er you learn to like them the better.
You have diseased appetite. You
must develop a healthy appetite for
good, wholesome. simple foods"
Supposing go to 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
naroles which cannot grasp" Mr..
Thomas would reply: Young man, II
you do not know what good music is,
then the sooner you learn 1t the better.
You have a diseased appetite for mu-
sic. I will develop for you 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, we'll fulfilled. Of Theodore Thorn
as, who taught mankind how to appre-
clate good music!
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 to enjoy their
society the better. You are exactly in
the position Of the frivolous girl or the
dissipated boy growing UP in a Chris
tan home. Such children are never
happy unless they are of at some par
ty or visiting some neighbor or attend
ing some theater. But after awhile
they will find that the sweet, gentle
fellowships Of a Christian home offer
the best kind Of enjoyment. The quiet
reading Of book by the glowing hearth
IN the sitting room is one. The loving
caress Of mothers or 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 associating with men
Of the world offers to you the acme Of
pleasure. II 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 ufe.
Learned to Love Music.
That you can govern your love for
the good and your dislike for the bad
or the Indifferent was illustrated to
me by the experience Of lady men,
Der of my church who is very hne
musician. Her brother was q happy
60 lucky young man who seemed to
have no ear for good music. Every
popular dir. 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
err, sweeter, holier calls of the great
musical masters fell UNDECIDED 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 bis sister had
to continually practice for a difficult
performance which she was about to
give before q famous musical society
Of the city. At nrst the brother pro-
tested. He wanted to 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 vestibule Of his
ear there was barn In his soul a 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
sou 60 with the truly cOnsecrated 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" unless by constant