The American Missionary — Volume 41, No. 5, May, 1887Various
Religion
The American Missionary — Volume 41, No. 5, May, 1887
Various
Congregational churches -- Missions -- Periodicals; Home missions -- Periodicals
The Society includes all grades of students, but more especially
are they from the advanced classes, as the very difficult music
which they render requires all the mental power of which they
are capable. Prof. Spence is the soul and life of the Society,
and gives himself to it with an energy and enthusiasm that is an
inspiration to all the members. They have studied music from the
great composers for several years, and during the present school
year have devoted themselves especially to the Oratorio of Elijah.
The first half of the concert consisted of selections from this
Oratorio.
All who are acquainted with the music know that it is simply
sublime and that it must be a most unappreciative soul that can
listen to it without being deeply moved.
The opening chorus, “Help, Lord! Wilt Thou quite destroy us?” was
so full of pathos and of pleading that it seemed to subdue and
quiet the whole audience. Indeed, the _silence_ that prevailed
throughout the entire rendering testified to the interest felt.
When they sang, “Lord! bow thine ear to our prayer!” the breathless
stillness in the house made us feel that much of real prayer was
there, and we wondered if hearts that had never before felt God’s
presence might not be touched by His spirit. Then came the wild
cry of the priests of Baal, loud and long and despairing, with the
mocking of Elijah, who says, “Call him louder, for he is a God.” A
few times the audience broke into applause, but generally expressed
themselves by quiet attention.
Probably the style of music was new to many of them, and it was
interesting to watch the faces of different ones as they listened.
Some were at first perhaps disappointed, evidently not expecting
that kind of music, but a growing and deepening interest marked
their faces as they sat watching as well as listening.
When Elijah pleaded for rain, and the people cried, “Help, send thy
servant help, O God!” “Hear from heaven, and forgive their sin,”
the listening attitude of the audience seemed to express sympathy
with the sad refrain, and when, at last, the grand chorus, “Thanks
be to God,” burst forth, it was almost overwhelming. What a lifting
up of voices it was! it with a piercing sweetness that rent the air
and bowed all hearts before it.
The second part of the concert consisted of Jubilee songs, college
songs, and patriotic songs, more popular music, but to some of us
it was a letting down from the heights to which we had been lifted.
It was received, however, with demonstrations of delight, which
could not have been expressed for the first part, if it had been
felt. Almost everything was encored. The college songs were full of
rollicking fun, and the Jubilee music brought rounds of applause
again and again.
When “Good news, the chariot’s coming,” and “Silver Slippers” were
sung, the dignified legislators got to beating time with their feet
in real camp-meeting style.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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