As much as we might like to deny it at times, we are inevitably linked to the past. Sometimes this is a painful thing, especially when it seems we don't learn enough from history to avoid making the same mistakes again. However, there are also instances when linking our present life to history is inspiring and uplifting.
I recently read in this magazine about a Spanish pipe organ restoration which took place last year. The present day workers found a letter dated Feb. 27, 1829 which was hidden deep in the workings of the organ by young apprentices when the instrument was built in 1828-29. They knew that only future organ builders would find this document in which they outlined their credentials and asked for prayers on their behalf. The restoration experts copied the letter and wrote their own note on the back, saying that they hoped it would be a good long time before it was discovered (180 years?) as they had tried to do their job correctly. The beautiful music produced by the organ since it was built, and the music it will still yield now that it has been restored is a testimony to those who worked many years ago to build something that would outlast them - built to the glory of God.
The above was first printed in the June 28/09 bulletin for St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Winnipeg. I write a section called "Noteworthy Musings" which includes information about hymns, anthems, and other music included in the service from week to week. When I began to blog, I purposely decided not to duplicate posts from one to the other. This is an exception - just because it's summer!
1 comment:
I'm glad you decided to duplicate this interesting item, AuntE. Indeed,sometimes history seems so very close at hand.
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