Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1922-01-12

Sai ie NlSharo became members OF the
choir, adding fine, vigorous soprano
and an especially sweet alto to the
music. Both of these are still living,
Miss Julia as Mrs. B. S. Pendleton in
Shepherdstown and Miss Sallie as the
wife of Prof. B. G. Unseld, a music
composer of reputation sti engaged
in musical work in Lawrenceburp, Ten.
nessee.
During the ministratipn of genial
DR.. Bittle, who had no horror of
Yankee Doodle tunes" such as DR..
Campbell expressed, the famous
anthem period was at its best, and how
this splendid choir would make the old
church ring. The choicest gems from
the american Tune Book" the Gar
nina Sacra" and the Boston Anthem
Book" were rendered with line effect,
and the Lutheran choir had wide
reputation. 1t rendered the music at
the first Confederate memorial service
held here some 6fty-odd years ago.
After DR.. and Mrs. Bittle left Shep-
herdstown the choir continued 10 pros
per. Miss Sa lie Rickard became tho
organist, and she was followed bv
Miss Ella Kelsey. Under the minis
try Of Rev. d. M. Moser, a new organ
was installed. Ii was one of the first
built by M. P. Moller, who had started
a modest factory in Hagerstown. This
organ was insta led in one Of the
"amen" corners of the church. the
choir being brought down from the
gallery. Observers mother wept when
she had 10 give up the amen corner i'm
which she had worShipped for so long
1t was not many years until another
pastor, Rev. c. H. Rockey, who was a
musician Of much ability, replaced the
Mollcr organ with large and imposing
instrument secured from the Hook &
Hast nss Company, of Boston. This
organ was the most elaborate pipe or
gan ever brought to town, and is sti I
giving satisfactory service in the new
Lutheran Church, in which it was later
placed. Miss Agnes Beethoven was
its first organist. She was succeeded
oy Richard l.. Spohn, son of Marvin
Spohn and Bette Harp, who had been
married these many years. With great
natural ability and real love of music.
Ricnard Spohn was an exceptional or
gan'st, and there was great regret when
ne gave up the organ year or two ago.
MISS Rachel Snyder has been thd
organtst the past wear or more.
The Reformed Church also had a
rather gooi old-fashioned pipe organ
in the gal cry, and for many years the
sainted Mrs Kate Reynolds was its
organist. This old organ gave way to
new one some years ago, and il was
installed in the side Of the church
down stairs, next 10 the chancel Mrs
]. L. Sheetz is. the organist. Tha
Presbyterian Church had its choir in
the gallery also, but the march of I'M
provement swept it downstairs years
ago, AMI handsome new Moller Jipc
organ is skillfu ly PLAYED by Miss Julia
Reinhart. The two Methodist church.
es have resisted the pipe organ fever.
and still use small reed organs, which
make sweet music. In the Southern
Methodist Church Miss Annie Lick
lider has been the faithful organist so
long, and knows her reed organ so we'll
that she is not impressed with the idea
OF pipe organ. She frankly admits
that the intricasies of modern instru-
ment terrify her and doubts if her
toes cou be trained to travel over the
pedals properly. Observer remembers
when Mr.. Lloyd Licklider used to siG
on the front pew an1 start the HYMNS
with far-carrying voice. He sings in
celestial choir now.
The village choir has been the sub
Iect OF many a joke, but what wonder
fully valuable service il renders. II
has its tifs and quarre AMI its dif-
ferences. il IS sometimes obstinate and
unreasonable, but tako = AZ IN all and
it IS faithful and conscirnt ors and does
we'll its part in the public worship
We love its anthems and its aIinp Of
the old fami' lar hymns. we appreciate
its earn"stness, we revere ii when
with tear-dimmed eyes IFS members
sing in quavery voices at the last sad
service OF some long-loved friend
Observer. who himself has sung in the
old church choir, and whose children
have followed in his steps, believes
that when he shall have closed his ears
to earthly music his asst sleep NAV
be bit sweeter If those who have
sung in Gods house will chant at his