THE MUSIC NEWS

Chicago, Illinois, USA

8 February 1924

(page 12)

AN UNIQUE LECTURE AND SONG CYCLE

These men from out the Far East, bearing in their persons their faces, their words and their actions, breaths of the mystery of the days that disappeared, carry a species of incantation even when they do not seek to do so.

Frater Achad [Charles Stansfeld Jones], at Fine Arts Recital Hall on Tuesday, did not try to be other than of today as he sought to carry his listeners back for a period and trace the way to what he called a present Revival of Egyptian Thought. By his deductions and the divisions of time he asserted that we were in another and important aeon where predictions indicated further revelations to ear nest seekers after that link which binds life as we know it to that Infinity which continues to be inscrutable to eye or ear, but speaks as fully and completely as ever to souls who trust and obey the admonitions it supplies. No thinker tries to evade the interest he finds in every avenue of approach to the eternal question. It is always present, always welcome, never avoided. Without trying to outline what Mr. Achad said or to debate his positions, it is to be said that he was fluent, ready and in formed, and that his intimations were not difficult to accept. There is so much truth to be found in so many quarters that with out confining self to any one road, the open mind runs out to welcome its fellows. Hardly a word or phrase of Mr. Achad was vague or superficial or appealing to psychic influence. Reasoning, always, but fascinating in resultant, he kept the channels of thought wide and free and a not unhappy vision ensued.

Preceding the talk was a ritual service of the Psychomagian order, wherein shadows and few lights, softly booming goings, hidden music and deep voiced supplications and much incense made a profound impression

During this ceremonial Charles Lagourgue and Ruby Evans made the music. In the course of the lecture following, three Songs [Three Songs of the New Aeon] called “The Ibis,” “The Bennu Bird” and the “Star Goddess” were sung by Miss Evans, the settings by Mr. Lagourgue. These were spoken of as the basis of the New Aeon. They were descriptive, musical, enjoyable, well written and well done.

An elderly man finds nutriment in such experiences and listens with genuine pleasure. At the same time his twentieth century body revolts at prolonged sessions of such Egyptian bent as prevailed in the hall with the addition of incense laden air. At such times he is apt to get the fidgets, say “How do you get that way,” grab overcoat and hat and sneak out. Which I did.