Evening journal., 1908-01-25
CHOIR LEADERS
SEE DECLINE in
CHURCH MUSIC
Director Geo. E. King Agrees
That Much Of It To-day is
in "Ragtime" Vein
PROFESSOR CLYMER SEES
IMPROVEMENT COMING

Choir directors in wilmington are
much interested In the assertions Of
Professor Tall Esen Morgan, at a meet
ing Of New York Methodist ministers
that church music has deteriorated.
Professor Morgan is the leader OF the
choir in the Baptist Temple. Brooklyn.
its 200 voices being said to be The
largest number OF volunteer singers
In America. He also led the singing
at Ocean Grove.
"Too Often" he said, "in evangelical
churches the music, supposed to be
sacred. Is Of the ragtime' variety and
the words set 70 the music doggerel.
The music has deteriorated and re-
trograded and has lost its inspiring
influence In many churches. Many Of
the old so-called hymns are a disgrace
to the church and to music"
Director Kings View.
George T.. King, director Of Epworth
Church choir, agrees with PROFESSOR
Morgan that much OF the modern
church music resembles "Ragtime"
Il agree with Professor Morgan in
that respect" said Mr.. King today.
why IS itY Simply because the peo-
pie have been fed on that kind OF
music in the lighter vein. They like 1t
and have been catered to. II Is because
they have been educated away from
the deeper religious music. the inspiring
music that should prevail In the church,
and appeal to the inner thoughts Of
man and arouse reverence for the
divine. The lighter music does not
endure like the older hymns. like many
Of which could be named and which
are not ragtime. Yes, / think much
of our modern church music resem-
bles ragtime, In words and music. I
regret to say"
Professor clymer's Opinion.
Professor Jacob T. Clymer, leader OF
West Presbyterian Church and the Ger
} man Lutheran Church choirs OF this
city while believing that modern church
music was deteriorated to a degree.
does not assert with Professor Nor
gan that many Of the old so called
hymns are a disgrace to the church
and music"
Il met Professor Morgan when he
led the singing az Ocean Grove" said
Professor Clymer this morning. "IIe is
n good musician and a capable conduc-
tor Of large choirs. and. although I
agree with him that modern church
music may have retrograded. / think
that some Of the old hymns we have
today are the best kind of music Mod
ern church music, of course, could be-
improved. but there is great deal.
think. In the way the hymn Is rem
dered as to whether it can be called
good or bad. The music is only the
vehicle Of the sentiment. don't think
grand music is necessary to a high
spirituality. II the church Is to become
a center OF fine music. rather than
Christian sentiment, it is a question
whether Christianity will not be tho
loser in the end. Too many churches
are already appealing to the lighter tho
sensual side Of humanity
Improvement Coming.
"Of course. Il is quite proper that the
church should take measures TO i'm
prove its music II IL will be a help "a
the expression Of Christian feeling.
Many OF the churches are doing this.
The Methodist and Presbyterian
churches have issued new hymnals that
think are an Improvement over the
old ones. In the Catholic churches the
modern masses are giving way to the
old Palestrina masses. Professor Nor
gan Is not the first to urge a higher
grade of music In the church. The
movement is as old as the Reforma-
ton. To me, II seems that church
music is good so long as you get the
sacred thoughts out Of IT, Take old
Hundred II you sing II in a fashion
that does not accord with it's sacred
words WOW can make anything out OF
II. Nothing better could be desired
than Christianity expressed in good
music. old Hundred Nearer My Cod
to Thee and all the other good old
hymns have lived because they have
done so. Good music however. can
be of no use to the church without
the Christian feeling behind its