Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1906-10-12
PRESIDENCY
VISITS CHOIR
Tabernacle Singers Honored and
Instructed by Prest. Smith
And CounseIors.
THE ATTENDANCE WAS LARGE.
Cnfaillng Presence 81 All Members
Enioined Upon E,eryone--Stlr-
ring Selections Rendered.

The tabernacle choir had an unusual
~ interesting meeting last night be-
ing visited by the first presidency. over
$50 members crowded the chair plat
form and ranged well up towards the
ceiling, The singers greeted their dis.
tnguished visitors with a hearty round
OF applause as they entered. At their
request the choir sang few stirring
selections, including the ''Halelujah"
tHandels), stephens aad Whliney's
Cog and Magog.' peace be Still' and
the Soldiers Chorus" from Faust"
after which President Joseph +. Smith
took the conductors stand, and In
feeling and earnest address told the
singers how much their efforts were APP
preciated; how important their serylces
were to the Church. how the fame or
the tabernacle choir and organ have
spread the world over. aud how neces-
sary II was that this good name be pre-
served and lived up 10, that the thou
SANDS Of strangers who visit us yearly
and come with great anticipations be
not disappointed. nor think our good
reputation not well earned.
Continuing, he said IN part. People
OF intelligence and learning travel. and
they hear and see you here, and when
they compare what they see and hear.
when this glorious choir is present In
goodly numbers and In good singing
trim, with the evil reports and calum-
our people. they say In their hearts A
people who are proficient in the tlno
arts, and who sing like that. can neither
be bad nor ignorant aud their hearts
are softered to the truth"
we realize the sacrifices you make
III GIVING your labors here, and appre-
clate, and commend you for It. But
when We consider that we I've to do
good to the human race and that our
time Is usually freely given to spread
and promulgate the TRUTH we feel that
You, too, feel well repaid for all your
time and labors IN the knowledge that
you are In a most effective way doing
this. Your labors here are indeed
those of effective missionaries. for
songs OF praise to our Heavenly Fn-
Their are truly sermons that reach the
honest hearts OF many listeners"
President Smith then admonished
them that this duty could only be per-
formed through constant pupctual, aud
regular attendance to both rehearsals
and meetings., and assured them that
1t was expected OF them 20 consider this
duty OF tabernacle choir labor first and
foremost on the nights or days when
tho choir was in session. and that no
other local church duty should be per-
mitted to stand III their way to per-
form properly this duty. In case OF
any such conflict the members should
at once consult the local authorities
and have the matter adjusted SO that
this service which was asked Of the
unsteady gifted OF our people In tho
interest OF the Church nj large should
not be interfercd with or crippled
through attendance OF duties which
either might be performed az other
times or transferred to other hands not
needed In the choir. Thursday nights
and Sabbath afternoons the choir men,
bers were urgently requested TO do
nate their time wholly to It's labors.
lie said the stake and ward authorities
would again be appealed TO to aid In
such arrangements.
After giving his heartfelt blessing 70
the officers and members OF the choir,
and eulogizing It's leader and organist
he called upon President John r. VIM
der to say few words, the veteran
president did 80 in a happy vein illus
trating the condition OF the choir
leader when members were absent with
an anecdote of the organ blower who
threatened to shut OFF the organists
wind II he was not included as part
performer and 1--WE" used instead OF
II" IN future by the organist.
He said to the great amusement OF all
present when you remain away from
your places, you virtually shut off
Director Stephens wind, and he is
helpless 20 bring forth from the choir
the grand musical effects he has
trained you TO produce,
President Anthem II. tund then made
q few kindly remarks urging all 10 a
faithful attendance to this duty, and
commenting on the beautiful sight the
vast body OF singers before him pre-
scented
The choir then stood up and sang
as perhaps never before stephens LET
the Mountains Shout for JOY" dismiss
Ing with the Doxolagy and benediction
by prest. Smith. II was an evening
long to be remembered by the choir and
every singer felt In his heart to say.
God bless YOU brethren. come again"