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The National Music of America. 53
throughout New England, there was also some agitation regarding instrumental music. A few bold spirits desired to introduce the organ into the divine service here, as it was used in foreign countries ; but in this matter the victory was gained with the greatest difficulty, and the conflict of opinions lasted a full century.
As early as 1713, Mr. Brattle, a Puritan of Boston, but a man of artistic instincts, and much more liberal than his fellow citizens in theological matters, gave, by will, an organ to the Brattle Square Church, with the condition that the offer should be accepted within a year after his decease, and they should " procure a sober person to play skilfully thereon with a loud noise." The sly quotation from the Scripture shows that Mr. Brattle felt that the pill needed some sugar-coating, and his doubts upon the subject are further illustrated by a proviso, by which, if his church declined the proffered gift, it was |
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