Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-08
TO SING MESSIAH
nv. BR.E.r BARTHOLOMEW.

On the evening of Friday, lee. "a,
the 0ratorio society OF Angustana col
lege and Theological Seminary Will
render Handles Messiah in the new
gymnasium. 1t has been the custom
at our school for years to have some
kind of public entertainment during
the week Immediately preceding
Christmas that should be appropriate
TO the occasion and should sound the
KEYNOTE Of the season. This year IT
has been decided to give The Mes
siah,' as a suitable introduction to the
Christmas festivities We wish TO
call the attention Of the public III the
three cities to this entertainment, as
scheduled above. There could be no
more appropriate introduction to the
Christmas season than the singing or
this great oratorio The text is COM
posed of numerous nessianic pTophe-
cies so arranged as to give a concrete
picture of the advent of our Lord and
Savior, and a connected account OF
His incarnate life. The spirit OF the
composition throughout is that eX-
+ pressed by the chorus Of angels on
the hills Of Bethlehem on holy night
+
highest, and on earth peace, good Will
toward men" This has ever been the
glad Christmas. anthem and this is
/ the thought expressed sin The Mes
siah" Il is a complete synopsis of the
! Savi0r's nediatoriaI life from the man
ger to the cross, from the beginning
i of prophecy. to the great white throne.
/ Here the master composer, ia strains
+ that are truly sublime, sings the story
i Of redemption from It's beginning to its
+ contamination, ending with the grand
/ hallelujah chorus. 1.-THE Messiah is
/ perhaps the greatest 0ratori0 that has
ever been written. It is an inspired
composition. If every there was such q
thing. Handel said that when he
/ wrote the Hallelujah chorus he
/ thought he saw the heavens open and
the angels singing around he-throne. "
No one can hear this music without
being made better by il. When one
I listens to that tender aria, He was
] desplsed and rejected" one cannot
help feeling q sense Of contriti0n and
faorrow. There is 8. mighty power in
such song to lift US up and bring us
I nearer to God. With wonderful ten
+ derness this evangel in song brings
home to the wandering heart ar this
glad Christmas season the path0s and
the joy, the peace and the hope Of the
story Of BethleheTn's manger. The
singing Of this great oratorio at this
time is q suitable preparation for the
coming Of the Savior 10 the hearts and
homes of men, a prelude, asst were, to
the gloria in exceIsis OF the entire
Christian church.
This community viii have the OPP
portunity of hearing this sublime and
beautiful composition at AUgustaIfa
/ college on the l4th Of December This
should be an event OF great interest to
all and should FIJI cur large auditor
iuu to It's capacity. The Messiah
. VIII be sung by chorus OF $50 voices
accompanied by a select orchestra, and
by distinguished soloists. For many
weeks the chorus has been in pro-
+ cess of training under the leadership
of Professor j. Victor Bergquist A
rare musical treat may be expected
which is well worth the small admis-
sion fee that is charged. Besides if
viii inspire in everybody the Christ
mas spirit, VIII make the hearts OF the
!. community beat in unison, and will
+ serve to translate the good will and
generous impulses of the season infu
deeds Of charity and benavolence. All
'. are cordially invited A formal invi-
tation has been extended to the sol
diers on the island. and in all prob
ability 8 large number will be present
in Uniform. We urge the people Of
the tri-cities TO come cut en- rnasse
and I'll the hall There is inspiration
in a large and sympathetic audience
With such an audience and with musi-
clans thoroughly trained THE Mes
siah' viii be given in way that is
: hitting for so great composition and
, will be mighty power for good in the
neighborhoOd. Let all join in this
preAdium 10 the approaching Christ
, mas festivities. II each one will con-
! tribute his part this musical perform
, ance win he a great success, worthy Of
the occasion and credit to the com
, munity.