The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1908-05-30

his writing and in his touching melo-
dies and perfect harmonies. 1t is not
possible even to mention all that Mr.
Stebbins has accomplished, but the
following are favorites, and are to be
found in various collections: Christ
for the world we sing" Just for to-
day." Beyond the smiling and the
weeping" Ride on in majesty Take
time to be holy" Come unto me,
Must go, empty -handed?' What
must it be to be there!" and the best
and greatest of them all, Saved by
grace beginning with the line: Some
day the silver cord will break"
Competent authorities regard this
last mentioned hymn as one of the
finest in the English language. 1t is
certainly one of the best hymns of the
present generation. The words con-
tain beautiful pictures, and the music
is in perfect harmony with them.
Though intended to be sung as solo
or duet, the hymn is well adapted for
congregational use, and have seen it
produce a wonderful effect on large
gathering. The words were written
ny Tic DliHu poCttoo, AMY D. NioSpy &,
the author of many beautiful verses.
Unique among the hymn-writers OF
the present day is DR., D. B. Towner,
the head of the musical department of
the far-famed Moody Bible Institute in
Chicago. He is unique in this re-
spect, that he is doing a work to
which there is no parallel either in
this country or England. He is a
singer, teacher, and a composer.
Every day of the year men pass
through his hands as they prepare for
their life work-the singing of the
Gospel with the fixed aim of winning
souls. He trains them to take their
place in church and mission work as
accomplished leaders of praise, and,
besides that, he gives instruction in
composing. showing how to write
hymns on a scientific basis. Some Of
his former pupils are to-day among the
best writer's of Gospel music DR..
Towner is undoubtedly the greatest
teacher of Gospel music in the world
and as teacher of teachers he Is ac-
complishing a work the vastness Of
which cannot be overestimated.
Hc VI Tic WOTIu-IdI1eu
GLORY Song" Mr.. Charles H. Gabriel,
is one of Americas most prolific
writer's. He has not to look around
for words: he is a poet as we'll as a
musician. and thus between the words
and their musical setting there is q
sympathy that adds materially to
their charm. Mr.. Gabriel has won
derful faculty for picture-drawing. His
rich Imagination enables him to make
every line vivid and real. He grasps
a phrase that gets the attention OF
the people, and this he works out into
a chorus. His melodies are easy to
carry in the head. l have heard many
a musician speak in disparaging terms
of the GLORY Song" but yet there is
something in that wonderful hymn
that def1es analysis.
Another writer whose methods close.
ly resemble those of Mr.. Gabriel-the
two men. in fact. are like brothers
is Prof. E. o. Excel. He, too, is a
singer, and he can write both words
and music. He has written and edit
ed many Sunday school books. and has
published many anthems for church
choirs. No man knows better than
Mr.. Excel what to give to the pub.
lie. He studies their wants and pro.
vides them with what they like to
have. Equally alert is he in getting
ideas for his hymns. A phrase in a
sermon or a remark in a conversation
sometimes forms a peg on which to
hang a sacred song.
There are numerous other writer's
in America who are producing excel.
lent work, but of these mention can
not here be made. Peter B. Bilhorn.
however, deserves to be noticed He
is the composer of blessed Jesus,
keep me white" II will sing the won.
drous story" Holy Spirit, come in,"
and 1.-THE best friend to have is
Jesus" all Of which have met with
kindly appreciation.