Fifth Avenue Baptist Church Sunday Service

“[The church] was unusually crowded, owing to the announcement that a new and super-excellent choir had been engaged and would sing for the first time on Sunday.” “During divine service the choir gave, with excellent effect, the Deus Miseratur. The unison was perfect, the low, mellow tones of the organ floated out, mingled with the voices of the singers, and filling the church with sweet sounds. The organ execution throughout was marked with excellent taste and judgment—never drowning the voices of the singers, but sinking and swelling with their voices, softening and mellowing their notes. The character of the music throughout was subdued and rather sweet than good or imposing; but its influence was imminently religious and emotional. The voices of the singers are good and excellently cultivated. Mr. Beckett was suffering from a slight cold, but, nevertheless, he succeeded in discharging his part most creditably. This new choir will go far to make Dr. Armitage’s church a favorite with all church goers who love good music, and hail the aid which sacred harmony brings in elevating the soul to the contemplation of the greatness of the Creator. It would be difficult to over-estimate the effect of music as a stimulant to devotion.”