Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1905-09-14

Lover OF MY Soul" and Toplady, a
Calyanist. crock of Ages" and Sarah
Adams, a Unitarian, Nearer My God
to Thee" and Whittier, Quaker.
1.-THE Eternal Goodness" and Faber,
a Roman Catholic, There's a Wide
ness in Gods Mercy" and Doddridge,
a Baptist, 20, Happy Day." To-day
these well-known hymns are sung by
all and claimed by all. In spite of con-
troversy and unbelief, the music of
the Christian Church is saving the
world for the Christian Christ The
hymn and the singer are often long
way i'll advance Of the sermon and
nearer in evangelizing influences.
Music retines and ennobles. In the
days of chivalry the sir knights
studied music because of its elevating
and purifying influence. Music bright.
ems life's dark places and soothes the
heart in trouble. Many prison doors
have opened and manacles burst asun-
der when troubled hearts have sung
songs in the night. Music was believed
by the ancients to have healing power,
and was used as a therapeutic. Many
a weary soldier. tired and footsorc, has
lcdDeu ~ NlCtOts uitSN
spell Of fife and drum.
There is a quaint belief that singing
preceded speaking. Alas! perhaps one
of the entailments of sin is that sing
ing has degenerated into discordant,
rasping speech. Perhaps. when man
shall have reached his highest earthly
estate the means of communication
will be in the soft tones of chastest
music.
Music. Il not more perfectly than
printing. the art preservative of ali
art. is surely the best interpreter Of
of all art and science. The mystery
and miracle of truth reveal their open
sesame when studied through the at
mosphere Of music. The minister,
graceful with gothic beauty, or
massive with Romancsqu, magniti-
cencc, can only he filed to grOincd
"rclrS and spreading dome by m,isic's
swelling tones. Music gives a motto
to architecture. The art gallery'S cor
r.iors, or beivrderes only reveal the
masters secret in marble or canvas
AS divinest music fills up al the inter-
sticcS of tiniteness. And poetry never
reveals its most exquisite tints Of
beauty and truth except when in the
companionship of music, its twin sis
ter Theology would have nGCc but
affairs to the unknown God il music
did not dream. and propheSy. and feel.
in the priestly office. Music /; what
Walter rater called 1.-THE great Anders-
Strcben-reach ching forward Of all art
|, is the soul Of man cndeavorins to
81, &c IN nd "a livn
and fulfill itself It helps Browning's
grasp to acquire its reach.
Music is thus an intellectual factor.
i, is not so much truth seeker as it
is truth finder. Il does not delve
among the rocks. but it comes down
like dove from above. singing. This
Is My Beloved SOM" 1t dwclls in the
heights and shouts "Excclsior,' from
peak to peak, and makes lifc's dizzy
Alpine upands echo with hope.
Granting that music furnished to cul-
turc its initial impulse. and that music
more than any other factor suStains
the quest of mans nature for the high
est and hottest achievements, dare
to submit the deliberate conclusicn
that instrumental, and we'll as vocal,
mnsi, should be a part Of the public
school curriculum for every child.
Alas, that the children whom posterity
affords the opportunity OF musira :
study often SO little appreciate these
privileges. while many who crave these
facilities arc deprived of them by pow
erty. Even the boys and girls who are
compelled to leave school to enter upon
the problems of making n living. would
live 4 larger and more hopeful life ii
their musical instruction had included
familiarity with an instrument.
AS is his Maker so man is spirit,
Muscle and brain are merely temporary
cxpcdicnts by which man. as spirit,
shall for a brief season tarry upon this
earth. When painting. and sculpture.
and architecture. and, perhaps. even
poetry shall have ended their earthly
ministry music will be revealing the
fathomlcsS mysteries of spirit and life
Music is the language of celestial
throngs. True eloquencc is thought
winged with music The Infinite God
is more perfectly worshipcd with mu-
steal accompaniment because music
goes beyond language and logic and
opens up the vistas Of faith through
which can he seen the King in His
beauty. Do you ask me which is the
mightier agency for culture. Bacon
or Beethoven? Spencer or Schumann?
Kant or MendelsSnlin: and will an
Swer that science and philosophy have
their own important places in the
foundation Of intellect aud character.
asd are rs necessary to the soul rs
- H. 1
only has its mission side Ivy side with
these. but when the present conclusions
f men shall be abandoned for the
completer revelations of the all truth
of Him who is the Way. the Truth and
the Life, then music, which was never
anything but divine in its nature and
Influence, shall be cur old familiar
friend increasing in divinity rs our
own evolving souls are permitted to
comprehend aud participate in that
divinity