The Sentinel=record., 1914-09-27
THE POWER OF MUSIC.
(By James NJ. Anderson)

oiealloh; 1T is an echo of an invisible
"olIu' IL speaks to mans heart with
us wonderful notes; IT cheers and re-
'o9nes the tired and weary traveller
ana II inspires courage and valor in
p'otectlon of the right. Under it's in.
'P'ilng strains the soldier marches ia
victory and It's lullaby auiets the
o9I!eSS babe, and lulls its dropping
'' eHUs INTO dreamland slumbers.
Inc music of the church bells
speak out to the worlds multitudes
Father's invitation to the weary
ana heayy laden promising rest and
peace And the organ pealing forth
~ majestic volumes of music. under
,ie 1ouch OF master hand, its bel
lows tongues Hsping forth an in
scrlption of praise and THANKSGIVING.
singing out in melodious sublimity. a
| UNIVERSAL prayer, which blending with
lIs sweet voiced tones. there arises a
i''dJeStlc volume that only music can
impress, as it chants forth the words
TIalse God from whom all blessings
now And methinks as its inspira.
non and music float upwards, the
celestial choir catches its melodious
Sttalhs' and unseen hands swing
heavens Gates Ajar," as with
trumpet harp, and song, it is re.
echoed again and again, and with add
go 'Hallelujahs around the Masters
lHrohe proclaim the power of Jesus
name"
And the bells in the cathedral
spires ring out Glory to God in the
highest and the white robed choir
sters chant out in blended volume
Peace on earth, good will to men"
me father and mother as they
stand beside the coffined remains Of
some loved one their hearts bowed
down with grief and sorrow, and the
world which a short time ago was
bright and inviting, is now dark and
gloomy. Suddenly a new inspiration
comes TO them as the sweet and melo-
dious voices Of the singers float Ger
uhe flower laden casket, there flashes
across their clouded vision. as the
music chisels out before their aston
ished eyes, in soft intone, the words
Asleep In Jesus" It's incarnation
chanted in the soft and comforting
notes Of its music, lightens their sor-
row and dries their tears, as with up.
lifted hands and contrite hearts they
eXcaim in words unspoken, THY will
be done
Who among us has not been stirred
by that grand and glorious hymn,
Nearer my God to Thee? 1t strikes
4 chord in every human heart. III
seems to gain its inspiration and a
supernatural influence from loved
ones gone before as they. seem to
speak through its word and music
calling some Maynard and erring one
to draw nearer and nearer to their
God and their Father. And as the
melody Of the old fashioned hymn dies
away. methinks can be heard from
some poor wandering boy, or mayhap
from some gray and grizzled veteran.
as with parted lips in whispers soft
and low they repeat with bowed
heads mothers prayer" long neg
lected. now recalled through the
musfcs soft and melodious voice: and
when in the darkness of that cold and
Silly night the Titanic. a floating
palace with its precious human
freight was crushed against the
mighty icebergs, and the waters came
rushing in, and all hope Of saving the
vessel was made known TO the pas
sengers and crew and when the life
boats were lowered, and in the rush. |
fathers and mothers, husbands and
wives were parted. leaving more than
1,450 precious souls aboard to perish |
in a watery grave, orders we're given
by the aptsIns to, the laips & band for
aastsss aif6aS tSeruryA yssts In the
boats floated away, with bowed heads.
clasped hands. and stricken hearts,
imploring their heavenly Master 10
save the loved ones. sweet music came
waited DER the pitiless ocean, chant
ing the words
"StM all my song shan he,
Nearer my God TO Thee,
Nearer TO Thee
1t gave courage and strength. and
men and women died like martyrs,
sustained and soothed By the spiritual
strains of that immortal and comfort
ing hymn. Thus they entered the
valley Of the shadows Of death" The
power Of the music sustained and in.
spired them, and the words Of the old
familiar hymn. spoken in trumpet
voices. sustained and supported them
in that terrible hour, until the mighty
vessel disappeared beneath the cold.
dark waters. and silence reigned.
And what is the great outstanding
marvel in the Empress Of Ireland
tragedy which followed so soon after
There ne see the sublimijies TO which
our human natures soar in the hour
Of catastrophe and sudden death. The
moment Of physical danger tests US
and Sits US out. The coward stands
revealed, and the brave man. and the
moral man, whose manhood enshrines|
divinity, The crisis brings the secret
thing TO light; for only a couple OF
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