Woman listening to organist playing

In the Dark Ages, when only might was right, it was the church that kept music alive. And today humanity responds more universally, perhaps, to the appeal of “the good old hymns” than to any other one type of music.

No one will seriously deny that music is a necessary element in our lives when it can produce in the same listener the highest spiritual exaltation as well as the most frivolous gaiety. The inspiration to strive for an ideal—the will to be better than we really are—these things come to us most readily through music and afford an adequate refuge from the world, the flesh and the devil—the triad which gives battle in every heart.

Sacred music in all its many forms occupies a quite special position and carries a quite special significance. In all of it there is the same basic effect on the mind and one must be cold as ice not to feel the thrill of the full choir, the magnificent choruses of oratorio.

All of these things are part of what the Victrola brings into your home and into your life. Reverence or the brimming over of one’s faith does not manifest itself only under specially consecrated roofs, and in these exalted moments it is good to know that the Victrola brings to you not only the music of the church but the music of all faiths.

It would be exceedingly difficult to suggest records of hymn tunes which would be of equal interest to everybody, but the Gluck and Homer Duets, the Crucifix, the Palms, ÉlÉgie, the Angel’s Serenade, the Mascagni Ave Maria and the record of Come, All Ye Faithful, in which chimes are used, are among those which make a very general appeal.