The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-08-02
A PLEA FOR SACRED MUSIC =
 IN OUR SUNDAY SCHOOLS

The following, watten by Mrs. Ram nette Robinson Murphy. will be of real interest to our readers. It appeared in The Baptist Examiner of New York:
 All over America. into our Sunday Schools. and aiasl even into our of irreiigious music. which bids fair to sweep of from our earth. temporarily all of godiy hymnology.
 These melodies are called Gospel Songs," but many of them are far from being tn any sense Gospel" They toss about the sacred name of our Lord as if 1t were rubber ball. They bring. 1t into their verse in the most trrever- ent way. They ring the changes flip. panty upon the great central truths of Christianity. not even sparihg the vi- carious topenent--anythtn to make a roussng--but often neAningless-- hymn. set to a taking spfightly tune.
 These tunes are not true music. They are not sacred. They are not majes- tic. or stately. or reverent. They do not even At the accents of the trashy words to which they are set. They are Rag Time" pure and simple. often copied from dance music---unconscious- ly assimilatsd. perhaps, from yaude- vElle theatres or dance halls.
 We should not be surprised that so many American children have lost their love for the Church ef God. when they have no part in its services. They are not taught to memorise the grand old church hymns which have eomforted the saints for ages. We ought not to condemn children for playing rag time" all Sunday afternoon. when they are taught nothing but this style of Jig in the Sunday School. They see no line of delnarl1ation between religious and secular music in the morning: why should they be suddenly called upon to estabiikh It In the afternoon7 The to entertain their friends is honestly labefed Ia that which they hear In the snofning7 They are told In many churches that they must not dance; yet with few exceptions every tune they sing in their Sunday School Is mighty good ''two-step" or "waitz."
 One well known composer presents in his book an attractive. fetching song for the delectAtion of the little ehll- dren. which declares that heaven is quite an up-to-datee place. being fitted out with phenographei wonder if they have the Victor or the Edison9 The refrain runs something like this: "Ana heavens goldsfolled phonoefaph ls taking every wordi" Now wouldn't that so long way toward bringing . lost soul to 0od7
 f4EA GHY IaAtQ IOA At0N IT " AA0H asl the words of 'sNo. Not One" Moth Ing But the Blood of Jesus" stepping in the Light" "sunshine in My Soul Today" and 1t win answer proudly, 'Yes;" but ask 1t If 1t can say by heart any of the stanxas of Nearer. My God to Thee" Rock of Ages" Lead. Kind ly Light" 'Jesus. Lover of My SouI''- In fact. any Fsyerert. noble hymn, new .or old. and 1t will probably answer, NO, they are too old-fsshIoned." Would we call Jesus old-fashioned because He lived long ago7 Would we call Bach's or Eaydn's or Mozart's. or Beethovsn's, or Spohris, or Handers, or 6chumann's, or 6ehubert's music old-faehioned be- cause they lived before VIC did? Their music .is fresh. for 1t is musical truth. xet how many of our children even know, that. Handel wrote the tune to "Joy to the World" How many know that Lnther wrote that great hymn. "A Mighty Fortgessr How many know how to examine the indexes, of the hymn authors and music composers2 How many. when a hymn Is announced, look at the name of the author and the composer of tho music? How many can tell you Intelligentiy about the meter of the song? t-lh
 It is noticeable, in contrast with the Wapid songs above referred to. that the grand old hymns prefer Co speak of God as the Father ana as Jehovah, set- ting forth the majesty and fear of God, And when they do mention hts earthly aame. o how tenderly and sacredly the name of Jesus IS handled! Jesus. Lover of My Soul" The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose." My faith looks up to Thee, Thou Lamb of Call vary''--all so different from nauseat- Ing dittfes' which seem to be ground out by wholesale. with the kind aid of a rhyming dictionary and set to jigs. with gay choruses which are apt to make the most straieht-laced long to dance.
 There Is a distinct difference between religious and secular music. The contrary is elaimed by some people. but this will not be admitted by the great leaders like Dr. Horatlo Parker. or pr. Edward Stubbs. or any of the leading hymn and tune writers of England to- day.
 It Is often urged that stately sacred hymns are not sufficiently bright and pleasing to interest our children. But nur little ones are not brought to the Sunday School merely to be amused and entertained. to be made gay and Jolly though under the present regime many of them seem to think so
 For those who honestly think that good music and good hymns are really dry, and not adapted to arouse the en- thusiasm of our children. let me say