Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-12-23
INFLUENCE OF
MUSIC FOR GOOD
John w. Phillips Writes of
Beauties Found in Christ
mas Music
BY JOHN w. PHILLIPS.
director of Music, Grace NJ.

director of Music. Grace NJ. E.
church,
Ever since the morning stars first
sang together. music has played an
important part in the life of mankind.
Paeans of Praise at Christmastide were
first inaugurated by the Angel Choir
at Bethlehem, some nineteen hundred
years ago. They proclaimed new
message. a new command, u new
faith and the birth of the Prince of
Peace. 1t is happy and encouraging
sign that the Christmas spirit is grow
ing in intensity and power, individ-
ually and collectively.
1t is also an encouraging sign. that
very few of US will pass this coming
Christmas, without thinking sympa-
thetically of the fighting humanity.
across the water, under the roof of q
dissonant black war cloud; where the
Christmas carols are hushed because
of crushed and empty hearts-where
the Christmas joy bells will not be
heard because of the mournful clang-
ing of requiems for the dead-where
the soil is being fertilized by the
blood of Europe's best manhood, and
watered by the tears of mothers. wi
dows and orphans-here empty stock
ingS will not be filled by loving hands
where the lighting dead are given
halos of honor, and the peaceful liv-
ing crown of thorns.
1t is encouraging to know that our
sympathies are broadening and TAX
ing deeper root. The good ship Cae-
sar is we'll on the way with substantial
Christmas Cheer, and our own needy
Will not be forgotten. 1t is encour-
aging to know that peace is stronger
in the minds of men to-day, than
war, and that we are accepting in a
greater and larger degree the doc
trine of Peace on earth, good will
towards men,"
Every CHEEKY word, every kindly
act every beautiful thought is music
every smile, and every sincere hand
shake Is put down by the Recording
Angel as music.
Music as an Influence For Good
The highest form of choral music
is the oratorio, because here we find
the inspiration and text from the
scriptures. Bach and Handel put
forth their best efforts in the writing of
oratorioS. Originally an oratorio was
performed with scenery and action,
but to-day it is given in concert form
and demands for successful rendition,
in addition to the singers usual equip
ment, sincerity, reverence, magma
tton and sympathy with spiritual
ideals.
America needs more oratorio sing
ers, and more oratorio hearers. An
oratorio we'll rendered. in the right
spirit, is mighty preachment for
good.
Handers Messiah is probably bet
ter loved than any other oratorio.
The music is as fresh and inspiring to-
day as when it was written. If we
cannot get inspiration from it, we
are indeed poverty stricken of SOUL
In this sublime oratorio, which re-
fleets the noblest sentiments of hu-
man nature and the highest aspir-
ations of man" we have the prophecy
of Christs coming. the announcement
of His birth; the sufferings, death and
eXaltation of Christ. the spread and
ultimate triumph of His teachings, the
declaration of faith in God, the cer-
tainty of immortal life, the resurrec-
ton, and the attainment of eternal life
and happiness.
And the glory of the Lord shall be
revealed" is a promise and prophecy
of the coming victory of the Lord
For unto us a Child is born" is the
first great climax of the work. The
English conductor. DIR. Coward, con-
tends that the opening phrase for So
pranos should be sung loudly and
iubilantly" as if they were not asham-
ed of the announcement. 1 contend
that this is commonplace interpre-
tation and not in accordance with
HandelS vision, which suggests that
the angelic host. who were first heard
family high in the air, beginning their
song of JOY and announcement, and
as they cam enearer, nearer, the song
grew in volume, until it was taken up
and augmented hy an earthly chorus,
all joining in Wonderful, Counsellor,
the Mighty God" the Everlasting
Father, the Prince of Peace"
Behold the Lamb of Cod should
be sung with reverence and loving
alteration; as though we had caught
a vision of the inner throne of
Heaven.
surely He hath borne our griefs,"
needs somber tone and sympathetic
emotion. as if a conscience stricken
soul was acknowledging the great
debt.
Lift up your heads" has a sweep
and triumphal majesty of power and
confidence,
Il know that my Redeemer liveth, -
needs the note of exaltation, of as
surance and faith.
Worthy is the Lamb" has a power
and spirituality, a glorification of the
slain Lamb, that ennobles all who
hear it.
"Hallelujah" as a paean of praise
stands alone. 1t has a majesty, a dig
nifty, breadth and power not match
ed by any other chorus. 1t is not the
Hallelujah of one people, or nation, it
is the prophecy and ultimate fulfill
ment of the plan that all people shall
praise and acknowledge the same God
1t is the Hallelujah of nations, of the
whole world, and some day all ma
tions will bow obediently and rever-
ntly to the thought expressed there
in.
On the threshold of this new Christ
mas, we cannot offer anything new
to our struggling brethren across the
sea; but we can offer with new sin
cerity, with new fervor. with new en-
phasis, the message and command
born of Infinite Wisdom and immeas-
urable vision. Peace on earth and
good will towards men,"
CHURCH OF GOD
Fourth Street. The Rev. William
n. Yates, pastor, will preach at 1890
on Gods Unspeakable Gift; and at
1880 there will be Christmas can
tata by the Sunday school; Sunday
school at 1:40.
First. - (New CumberlandD The
Rev. C. II. Heiges. pastor, will preach
at 1880 on Prophecy Relating to
Christ" and at Z, the Christmas serv-
ices. Sunday school at 9:15.
Maclay Street. - The Rev. DIR. VIM.
S. Houck; IL, Joy to All the People"
1880. Christmas service by the choir
and the children. Christmas morning
service at o'clock.
Pleasant View. = The Rev. George
LIdr