The American Missionary — Volume 35, No. 4, April, 1881 — John Shaqi
The American Missionary — Volume 35, No. 4, April, 1881Various
Religion
The American Missionary — Volume 35, No. 4, April, 1881
Various
Congregational churches -- Missions -- Periodicals; Home missions -- Periodicals
Fortunately, or as I like better to say, providentially, the way is
now opened for that result. A system has been devised and perfected
in England, and is now beginning to be generally adopted in this
country, which so simplifies the study of music as to bring it within
the comprehension of a little child. That system bears the name which
stands at the head of this article. A technical description of the
system would be out of place here. It is enough to say that the result
is accomplished and the study of music now is made easy and delightful
where it was formerly perplexing and confusing. How much this means
for the colored people, with their musical gifts and inspirations, it
is impossible to imagine. It is not to be supposed that such special
powers were bestowed upon a whole race without some very important and
far-reaching purpose. The unfolding of that purpose was begun in a very
wonderful way by the Jubilee Singers. But their mission was among the
Caucasian races rather than among their own people. The Tonic Sol-fa
system comes to fill a widely different sphere, viz.: to give to the
masses an intelligent possession of the world of music.
The A. M. A. has done a very wise thing in taking steps to test at once
the value of this system for its constituents. They have commissioned a
teacher to go to the Fisk University and teach it during the remainder
of the school year. The method is so easy and natural that a thorough
knowledge of its fundamental principles can be imparted in that time,
and not only that, but _all who learn it can teach it intelligently in
their schools during the coming summer_. Its advantages will thus begin
to be felt in remote country districts, and the reform will be carried
on just where such reforms should always begin, among the masses of the
common people.
The teacher who has been appointed to this important post, Mr. J. W.
Adams, is one who is singularly fitted by his history and antecedents
to engage in this special work. Born in England, he was taken by his
parents to the island of St. Helena at the age of three. When nine
years old he accompanied his father, a sea captain, on one of his
voyages. The vessel was wrecked on the coast of South Africa, and the
young lad remained there for eighteen years. He traveled extensively
throughout the country on trading expeditions, and thus became
thoroughly acquainted with the manners and usages of the native tribes
as well as of the British and Dutch settlers. He learned the Tonic
Sol-fa system there and became so interested in it that at length he
resolved to qualify himself as a teacher. It is certainly a singular
and interesting fact, that the person who is first to introduce the
system among the Freedmen of America should have learned it in Africa.
* * * * *
SUCCESS, REAL AND APPARENT.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account