The First Soprano eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 194 pages of information about The First Soprano.

The First Soprano eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 194 pages of information about The First Soprano.

“I am miserable,” she said to Him.  “I don’t know whether I have done right or not, and I miss the music so much.  Please let me know if it is right to give it up?  I do wish to worship Thee.”

No flood of revelation poured at once upon her, but she took her Bible and read.  She had learned no method of study, but read where she chanced to open.  The portion did not say anything about choirs or rehearsals, but it led her mind away and soothed her.  And its atmosphere was so pure and fragrant that when the debated thing rose again it was instantly judged by contrast.  Very different was the spiritual air of her choir experience, as in imagination she stepped back into it; and the fellowship of George Frothingham, Mr. Mercer, and the drink-sodden organist, did not seem like the communion of the saints as she found it in the Acts of the Apostles.

With the vanishing of her doubts as to the wisdom of her course came back the gentle peace that she had known for five blessed days, and its price was above all musical delights.

CHAPTER VII

A NEW SUNDAY

Sunday morning found four people seated in the comfortable pew which the iron merchant was able to pay for.  And, by the way, what a comfortable thing is wealth in the various ramifications of life, even to one’s church relationships!  No fear of the unwelcome bidding, “Sit thou here under my footstool”—­in the undesirable front seats where one’s neck must be craned backward to admit of seeing the minister; nor of being relegated to the back pews when ears have become a little dull with age.  How thankful should one be whose lot in life is thus favorably cast!  But we have not admitted to our consciousness a thankfulness that the Epistle of James is not often read; or, if read, too literally dwelt upon.  We have found a grateful oil to pour upon any rising waters of ill conscience in reflecting upon the beneficent adjustment of social relationships by a wise Providence and the divine right of money-kings.

Mrs. Gray and her neighbor, Mrs. Butterworth, exchanged serene glances of recognition across the shallow partition that separated them, but the latter added a look of inquiry as it was observed that Winifred was with her family.  Mrs. Gray’s heart sank at the thought of having to explain the phenomenon when once the service should be over.  Winifred felt that many eyes must note her presence there instead of in the choir, and the embarrassment of the thought almost dissipated the spirit of true worship for which she had longed and prayed.  But she had soon forgotten to a considerable degree the people about her, and gave herself diligently to the service.  It was not altogether without self-consciousness, however, that she joined in the hymns, fearing lest her own voice should be heard above others.  Mrs. Gray, too, wished that she would not sing quite so loudly, lest it should destroy the convenient fiction of the laryngitis.

Copyrights
Project Gutenberg
The First Soprano from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.