A CONCERT OF SACRED MUSIC.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3472, 10 February 1880, Page 2

A CONCERT OF SACRED MUSIC.

(To the Editor of the Evening Stab.)

SiB.T-Although to most people in these days novelty in ideas has a great charm, yet by what may be termed the conservative minority, new views are looked at with suspicion and often are only tolerated because further resistance to them has become useless. Of this kind is the opposition which threatens the introduction of Sunday evening sacred concerts among us. The parsons, and those who believe in their infallibility (a Hmall number at the present time), have no long enjoyed a monopoly of the Sabbath, that they naturally view with alarm any counter attraction to their performances which may find favour with the public. Well, this kind of professional joalousy is not unnatural, although it may be somewhat unreasonable, for what pbssible harm can be ' taught by listening to the finest musical compositions of devout and serious minds ? On Sunday evenings the masses of the people are at leisure, and it would be certainly a boon to the great majority to discover a way in which that leisure might bo spent pleasantly and profitably. Music of the of the high class which it is intended to provide exactly fulfils the necessary conditions, while gratifying the senses it elevates the mind, and takes the place of much less instructive or innocent occupation. Moreover such concerts might be made to subserve the high aims of charity, relief for the poor and the suffering could be thereby afforded, and a wider basis of contribution to our local institutions would in that way be attained. By all, means then let those among us who possess musical talent be encouraged to apply it to so useful an end.—l am, &c,

A Lovbb of Music. February 10th, 18S0. -. ;