The Washington herald., 1909-02-01

all under the spell Of the compelling.
vibrant melody OF the great composers
masterpiece.
The last peal Of the organ died into
silence, and as the congregation sat
speIIbound the Rev. Wallace Radcliffe,
pastor Of the New York Avenue Church.
rose in HIS pulpit, and in words ringing
with deep enthusiasm eulogizsd Mendels-
sohn as the greatest composer Of history,
as the musician having the soul and
spirit OF Christianity. whose oratorios
weps the Interpretation OF a great spirit
ual insight and feeling.
Much more did the minister say In
tribute to the greatness OF the composer,
giving emphasis TO his strength OF char
acter and integrity OF high ideals he
took his text from Elijah, and read the
lines that inspired Mendelssohn 10 devote
ten years OF his short life 10 composing
the oratorio.
> sermon and Music EuIOgiEe.
The sermon and music were part Of 3
special service held at the church last
night TO commemorate the Mendelssohn
centenary. As q tribute 20 the master
mind the choir gave musical inter
probation OF Elijah" five scores being
given with good effect
Several OF the selections were given be
fore the sermon. If such it may be called.
and the others were sung at dineTent
times during the service.
Dr. Radcliffes text was long. taking
in many verses Of the book OF Elijah,
a ,.1c 90
And behold. the Lord passed by.
MendelSsohn read these lines, said the
minister. and catching their significance
and force, iabOred for ten years 10 COM
pose an oratorio. He said life was COM
posed OF earthquakes. OF turbulence and
strife, OF QuIetude and peace. and OF
small and great voices. These forces,
he said. 80 to make I'D life, and when
..the Lord passed by" ne insJllled a voice
in Mendelssohn which pealed forth in
oratOriO.
Was Born an Luxury
The minister said the composer was
born in the lap OF luxury; wss blest with
wealth and aristocratic parents. In speak
ing Of the parents. he said they were
Jewish aristocrats. among the most aris-
tocrauc IN the wcrld. He told OF the en-
gaging face. OF the great mind. which
early showed genius. and OF his ire
proashable character. and said:
And hez- q al. he vas endowed with uncon-
querabie ensrgy and Won ms Success by CON
hsuztion q al bis great qualities Dominated y
slraost unsurpassed ens-sy BE Eo1 y sell-oenia4. .
he ucn because Be kept a. H. froeaic eTieTgy sno
-ersiserce nav bring certain measure oi ssiccess
hst tie worker ususs fnd ksppiuess sns pleasure
ard snthussasa in bis labor i he VOID Elo ne
e-est ard .snaualifed Sucsss which Commands the
attention CT the world
Dr. Radcliffe said Mendelssohn had
written many scores. but had achieved
his greatest success in religious music
as examples. he cited the oratorios. St
PauT' and Elijah He continued;
Inspired by Great Feeling.
he vss nos successful IL this class of Husie
tecarse he vas INSPIRED By great feeiinS q spirit
uality. of deeply implanted religion. and reverence
and ds7otion 10 his C-sator
A c.mneu nan o-uld not gasp ais feelings. cc'lid
~ -i.e "a his grsatDess; Common nan could no<
- ne freuess q character and depth of
ssr1ing that characte-ized Mendelsschn. Muse S2s
fis +eurle he considered il gift Of God. and
1f = No. The sxrrsssioa Of passion and strife.
but IS the exp7essioz of Al ethereal 6el1s OF SAc
titv and devotion; K IS the Toice ot Cod
Nendelssohn's ability to grasp. the
dramatic possibilities OF thought, ex-
pression. or lesson was spoken OF 6y the
minister. He said the composer nad
rsre power OF looking below the surface.
OF grasping what 70 many close observers
would be entirely lacking Mendeissonn
Was quick to see the power ana Iorce
and beauty Of Elijah, and he SET IL an
into music, to move before the world
an anthem Of life
Solos and ChOruses sung.
7, entire accord with the eulogy OF
Dr.. Radcliffe, rather inspiring his efforts,
indeed. was the music OF the great COM
noser as produced by the choir.
/ John Porter Lawrence, oTganist and pre-
csntor. surpassed the expectations Of even
his most ardent admirers in his execution
OF tbs difficult Instrumentation OF the
scores. He played with feeling and with
firm. yet delicate shading.
He. Watching Over Israel. Slum6ers
Not Nor Sleeps. was the first selection.
given BY the quartet composed Of Mrs. W.
/ Il. shir-Clif. soprano; Miss Pauline Whit
aker. contrslto; John n Nolan. bass, and
Joseph F. Matthew. tenor
Mr.. Matthew sang "If With All Your
I Hearts Ye Truly Seek Ne and Mr. No
/ Ian and Mrs. Shir-Clin sang with great
effect the composers most dramatic score
What have I 20 do with Thee, Thou
/ Nan OF GOd2 Hast Thou come 70 cal
nv sins 10 remembrance
Miss Whitaker sang the wonderful "Oh,
Rest in the Lord Wait Patiently for
Him. and Mr. Nolan. with telling effect
gave 1T Is Enough, Now Take Away Ny
Life"
None Of the scores were sung with such
feeling. force, and intensity as the duet
given by Mrs Shir-Cliff and Nj Nolan
Astounding in tense. dramatic lines and
giving wide range TO the voices, this Sc
lection fingered IN the ears of the con
gregation, a reminder Of the great genius
iMendelssohn-