Page:The Early English Organ Builders and their work.djvu/16

 4 not to be trusted;" or with Luther, who exclaims, "Whoever despises music I am displeased with him. Next to theology I give a place to music; for thereby all anger is forgotten, the devil is driven away, and melancholy and many tribulations, and evil thoughts are expelled."

That music does not receive due recognition in this country is certain, from the way in which its professors are treated. Men of science, literature, poets, painters, architects—indeed, men of almost every calling, not excepting opulent tradesmen, are received into the highest circles; but musicians rarely, if ever.

It behoves us, then, to take a stand, to raise our voice and to proclaim to the world our right to occupy a certain position in society—a position from which at present we are excluded. And if, in some instances, this exclusion be not quite unjust, so much the more does it become our duty towards our profession and ourselves "to extend our knowledge on all subjects, especially those connected with