Mendelssohn at the Organ

A TRUE story is told of Mendelssohn, the great composer and musician. He went to a cathedral in Europe. They had just bought a new organ. The guy whose charge it was to take care of the organ didn’t recognize the talented musician.

Mendelssohn said, “Sir, may I please play this organ?” The caretaker of the organ said, “Oh no! This is our brand- new organ. We can’t just allow anyone to play it.”

Mendelssohn asked again, “Please, sir, let me play the organ.” “I’m sorry. You don’t understand. This is a million-dollar organ.

We can’t let you play this organ.” The composer tried yet again. “Please, please let me play.” To get rid of the visitor, the man said, “Okay.

Here, you can play for just a minute.” Mendelssohn sat down and started playing. Music like the man had never heard started coming through the pipes of this organ. He had never heard such harmonious sounds in his life.

He said, “Mister, who are you?” Mendelssohn introduced himself. The man just stared at him with his mouth open, now recognizing who stood in front of him. He felt embarrassed to think that he had been foolish enough to forbid Mendelssohn to play the organ.

He just didn’t realize who was in his cathedral. We ought to be embarrassed that we don’t recognize the power of the presence of God and give Him the right to have His way.