The Omaha guide., 1933-09-09
his
and
] hat....
r. CTJFFORD r MITCHELL.
Chicago and Chicagoans!
BY CLIFFORD c. MITCHELL
Inside a Jewish Synagogue!

Inside a Jewish Synagogue!
While the above is true it is a trifle
misleading for while | was inside Of
what was once the beautiful and
massive Jewish Synagogue at Fifty
Third and Michigan Boulevard, it is
now the home of the Bethesda Bap-
fist Church, pastored by the Rev =
t. Martin
Chicago is the home of so many
beautiful churches that one who is
not affiliated with any particular de-
nomination must have special reasons
for selecting some particular church
to attend and I had very special
reasons-an invitation from Miss
Myrtle King Brown, whom the read
er will recall was with me and my
sister some weeks ago when | pre-
v%iously visited some churches here
Although / arrived at the Church
promptly at eleven o'clock / did not
get there in time to view the process
sional march by the Junior Chorus
which | later learned commences at
five minutes to eleven. But after
obtaining a seat in the rear of the
church where | could view everything
without being too conspicuous in do
ing so | became deeply impressed
with the observance of punctuality in
opening their services for the large
seating capacity was extremely no
ticeable by the number of empty
seats available
Gradually, however, the attendance
Increased and new arrivals were seen
entering even as late as ten minutes
before the closing time. And one
peculiar thing | noticed about the
late arrivals seemed to be their al
most unanimous desire to be seated
close to the front. Perhaps there is
a little peculiar psychology in coming
to church late and parading down to
the front with all eyes centered on
you?
As the services proceeded l regret
ted that | hadn't gone further to the
front myself for it was rather diff
cult to hear some of the speakers
from where | was sitting. This con-
dition was caused by three imper-
fections; a little deafness; the low
voice meditation of some of the
speakers: and the successful efforts
Of a husky youngster in arms who
desired to be heard-and was
The music, however, was grand.
All during the service my eyes search
ed and searched in an effort to find
out where the organist was at and
whether it was a he or a she. l was
not successful in my search and I am
still curious to know where the con-
sole of that organ is.
The choral music for that particu-
lar day was furnished by the Junior
Chorus composed Of about thirty
four high school boys and girls and
trained wholly by Miss Myrtle King
Brown, secretary to Mr.. Harry H.
Pace, president Of the Supreme Lib
erty Life Insurance Company, whom
| understand has spent one or Two
evenings a week in training this Jun
Tor Chorus, ven to the extent of per-
sonally making all Of the robes used
by the members Of the Chorus. It
would take some one possessing more
technical knowledge Of music and its
execution than I possess, to comment
professionally on the work of this
Chorus under Miss Browns Leadership
and training Personally, however, ]
could have sat there for an indefinite
period listening to this Chorus fol
each number seemed to surpass the
previous one and the spiritual, Scr
tainly Lord" which they sang las
left such a longing to hear from sucl
numbers that I expect to be Their,
quite frequently.
And sc | am grateful to Mis-
Brown for the invitation extended an
regret that l had not accepted i
earlier but in one thing I was dis
appointed and that was in not having
the good fortune Of hearing Mis-.
Brown in some solo work, who's,
ability | have been hearing compli
mentary remarks from her workin,
associates at the Supreme Libert.
Life Insurance Company's office
ever since I returned to Chicago, bu
at least I was thankful to see an,
hear the results of her Junior Choru
whose training has been her hobb.
for over two years.