Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1905-06-07
WALHALLA, 3. C.s
wEDNKsDAv. sUNEs, 1905.
Value o. Good Music In Churches.
1.-THE State |


music in the churches is not sufi-
ciently appreciated by the church
administrations. This is evident
from the prevalence of such bad mu-
sic. That it is appreciated by church
goers is shown by the larger attend
ance at those churches that have
good music. 1t will be found that,
invariably,t the best attended churches
in any city are precisely those that
have the best, or what the people
consider the best, music. The SER
mons and the other things that are
heard and seen inside the churches
are too apt to be of about equal in
terest in all /; the chief possible
points of difference being finer mu-
sic, and-what follows this finer taste
in music-a finer appreciation of
church decoration and general beauty
of the services. Now and then
but this is becoming rarer--some
preacher of commanding eloquence
may draw immense congregations,
even in the face of unattractive sur
roundings, an awkward and unes-
thetic service, and discordant music
but it must be recognized sooner or
later that it is the general effective
ness of the entire programme, its
lightness and beauty of suggestive
ness, the exquisite appeal of the mu-
sic, the satisfactory feeling in the
church itself, that attracts the peo-
pie.
The Baptist Courier is very wisely
directing the attention of its de-
nominational churches to the iniuri-
GUS effect of bad music, and to the
benefits of good music in the ser
vices. 1t has an editorial in the cur
rent issue in which it says
"Good music is very important as
means for increasing the spiritual
life of the church. An extended OBJ
servation has convinced us that there
is no one thing in connection with
the public worship of our people
which so needs improving as the
music"
There are some that object to
music altogether, and others that OBJ
ject to anything that may seem like
"display," such as "hired" choir,
choristers, instrumental music, and
the like. The liberal minded editor
OF The Courier calls attention to the
antiquity of music as means of
worship, and to the very early use of
musical Instruments. We do not at
tach any Importance to an argument
based on mere usage and antiquity
the thing contended for must prove
itself desirable thing now ; but the
ancient use by the church, or what
ever organization in early times we
accept az representing the church,
may serve at least to remove some of
the prejudice against the employment
of the trained singing voice, of the
singing by groups Of male and fe-
male voices, of the use of musical
instruments-of everything whatso-
ever that makes "a pleasing sound
in the expression of worship. 1t is
difficult to appreciate the objection
TO a thing harmless in itself and
which yet attracts to the churches
thousands of persons who otherwise
would not go near them. Goldsmith
uas told US that in the Deserted Viii
lage "fools that came to scoff re.
mained to pray" A similar effect
may follow in many deserted
church--persons who come to enjoy
the music may remain to worship, or
at least to put themselves within
reach of whatever influences for
good the church can bring to bear
upon their lives and moral natures.
why" asked the astute.. Rowland
Mill, "why should the devil have all
The good tunes ?" Perhaps it was
a1ill's idea that the tunes of the
theatre and concert halls were Of
fered up to the devil bnt he was