The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-06-11
By DOLLY DALRYMPLE

succeeded In setting words to Men deIssohn's Songs Without Words satisfactorily. Similarly. when the attempt has been made to clothe h. finite ideas. such as the fundamen- tai truths of religion. In very finite words. such music has the power or revealing their significance. Ordina- rily one would say that the Creeds. as statements of facts. ought to be said. But we never know how much they mean until we have heard them sung by a great choir with an ap- propriate and grand organ accom- paniment One must hear the Nicaean Creed especially sung thus In order to feel what 1t has to tell Us of the mystery of the incarnation. the aw- fuiness of the crucifixion, the joy of resurrection and the glory of the ascension. Again, In the Te Deum. the congreEation is almost neceasa rily excluded from the singing, and people are tempted to complain that 1t Is tiresome to have to stand mute through It. But the Te Deum makes a wonderful contribution to worship If 1t succeeds in It's attempt to bring home to the worshipper as no mere words could the significance of the christian faith in all its fulness. Of course 1t Is worse than useless for HeEOHu=fAtt CnbiIs q Ihoii b1ih only on displaying its musical abil- ity, to attempt this. But when the Te Deum Is well sung. the worship per. standing silent in the congre- gation. enters Into the praise. faith and prayer of christianity a hundred times more vitally than If he were himself Justify singing trivial words set to catchy air. sft
 music
 And the cares that infest the day Shall fold their tents like the Arabs 1 And as silently steal away" -Longfellow. Appreciation of Good Music
 Tn speaking disparasingly of the choir which seeks only to display It's own musical ability. do not let me give the impression that good music in church is to be despised as a thing In itself. As matter of fact, the church is the only place in which many people hear good music. The church not only fostered music in tho past, as it has all the arts. urtiliit achieved an independent existence, but 1t Is now continually awakening men to appreciate music which is good. Of course there Is no religion in this if religion Is merely saving sinners" in richest and fullest life, then 1t Is essentially a religious achievement to enrich a mans life by awakening his appreciation of both music and also all else that Is beau tiful and inspiring. It Is often said facetiously that heaven with it's ever singing ehoirs of angels must be very tiresome; but. If I may say so with out seeming to countenance a literal interpretation of the figures of speech Tn the book of Revelations. perhaps It Is a function of the church to so remake nature that it will delight in angel music.
 Ideally the best music for the church service is that which, beauti- full In Itself and maintaining an att mosphere of dignity and reverence. by It's character and variety succeeds in achieving such various and diff cult results as opening the heart to the preachers message. expressing ideas and aspirations which defy mere prose, teaching truth. making men feel" the deep things which defy all expression. and revealing God as not only the good but also the beautifuI."