Beside his grief over the loss of this beautiful divine gift, he was now troubled with painful solicitude as to his immediate future. It was solely on account of his accomplishments as a discantist in the choir that he had enjoyed the great privilege of the free position in the school. What would happen were this to be taken away from him? What would become of his musical and general education? Utter despair overcame his strong, vigorous spirit. “What will become of me? What will become of me?” he bitterly ejaculated. His pale, anxious face showed his severe troubles.
One day the Rector of the school unexpectedly summoned him, and to his great delight and surprise informed him that, owing to the loss of his singing-voice, he would be relieved from his duties as discantist; but in consideration of his industry and good conduct, also of the unusual musical gifts with which nature had endowed him, he would continue to enjoy the privileges of free scholarship, and that he had suggested him to the leader of the choir as an assistant in the instruction of the younger pupils in music.
Who ever was happier than Sebastian? He fervently thanked the Rector for his kindness, reverently kissed his hand, and hastened away with a joyous heart.
One day his friend Erdmann, who had been on a visit to his father in Hamburg, returned and told him of his experiences. “Upon one occasion, a church festival, at which the renowned organist, Reinken, played, I wished with all my heart, dear Sebastian, that you were there.”
“So you have heard him?” said Sebastian, excitedly.
“Yes, and for a whole hour. That was playing for you! I never have heard the like of it. Everyone was excited. Women wept.”
“What did he play?” asked Sebastian, breathlessly and with his very soul in his eyes, as he looked at his friend.
“First a magnificent prelude[14] for full organ in E major, preceding an artistic fugued chorale of wonderful beauty (‘We all believe in one God’), and at the close a fantasia on ‘Jesus, my Joy.’ Oh, if you only could have heard it, Sebastian! He can play much more beautifully and skilfully than Böhm.”
Sebastian was completely self-absorbed. “I must hear him,” he said at last, fixing his gaze upon his friend. “I must, I must, even if I have to give up everything here.”
“That is not at all necessary,” quietly replied the less impulsive Erdmann. “If you apply in the regular way they will give you leave of absence for Sunday and Monday. Then you can easily go to Hamburg on Saturday afternoon, which is your free time, and get back again on Monday after hearing Reinken.”