Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-09-15
"Mu lex hath eharms.''-shaisyesre.

them, the following communication, but
as it was handed to US by a very respectable
member of the Pacific Congregational So
ccty-by gentleman who has ever sus-
tained an irreproachable reputation, and has
takon lively interest in advancing the pros
perity Of that particular people, We cannot re-
fuse him, and thus conscnting, we shah in a
few moments lay his communication before our
patrons Before VIC proceed further, howev-
er, it is proper TO remark, that the article, TO
which our CORE spondent alludcs, made its APP
pearance in the Religious Messenger, theo-
logical publication, printed in this town, under
the auspices Of that very respectable cia, Of
people, the Baptsts.
To the Editor of The Literary Cadst
| When newspaper publication, proicsscdy
devoted 10 theological discussions. becomes
| the vehicle of personal and individual abuse,
the objects for which it was established are
| prostu'cd for the worst of purposes. and il
widely departs from the expectations and an
ticipations Of its patrons. In the course Of 4
life, now somewhat protracted, l have not,
| till very recently, been assailed by newspa-
! per publication; and certainly did not expect,
that at this late day, should for SIMPLY being
engaged with others in attempting to worship
| Almighty God, lay myself liable to the displeas~
uro of those who daily cxclaim, 81 am holicr
| than thou" and who arrogatc to themselves,
all the attributes Of superlatve pre-eminencc.
But il has so happened, that within few days,
have been assaulted by writer, who profess
cs TO be not only very meek and lowly, but
very critical, and it is TO rcpel his groundcss
| m INN I.,nt hat I ash
mission TO occupy small place in the columns
of the Literary Cadet and Rhode Island States
man. But that you may have clear under
standing Of the merits Of the case, . now copy
| the article published in the Messenger, and TO
which !, together with the whole choir, attach
cd to the. Pacific Congregational Church, take
strong, and very just exceptions. To lhc arii-
Gle shall also beg leave to append 4 few in
cidental notes.
''Thc praises of God in his sanctuary, cons.-
tute most delightful part Of his worship, when
offered in strains of musical expression, appfo-
pirate, feeling and tasteful. But for person
who has either good natural, or cultivated
ear, O) and is dosirous 10 be impressed with
! pious sentiments of the psalm or hymn, and
prepared for the other exercises OF public wor-
ship, to sit and have his grated by such psal-
mody as is heard i'll some churches, is much to
| be lamcncd
To hear the most harsh AID untaught voices
in the choir, raising their notes above the 9TH
crs, too loud to be drowned by full organ, and
I pronouncng (2) the words so badly as to render
them unintolligiblc, is truly distressing. As
soon as the hymn is read. to be held sometime
in unpleasant suspense, awaiting the report Of
! a committee (3) on the choice of tune; TO
have the silence at length broken by the un-
necessary calling out of the name Of the tune
finally agreed upon; which is Immediately af-
terwards TO be played quite through on the or
gan, then, TO hear the choir 60 through the
hymn, making Intellectual attempts 10 observe
Worcestcr's Key orcXpresson - (i) aud, above
! all, TO hear all this, accompanied by the mel
odious crcakng the pedal (5) is enough to
unfit the miEd for tie derotun9 and instructions
CT the Sabbath.
Being naturally cyciab'c, and rendered
more so, perhaps, by having in son,e degree,
/ cultivated a taste for music, (6) lmay express
myself with undue impoiiencc on this subject.
! But as good psahnody aids devotion, and bad
interrupts il, do feel that il is too much neg
lectcd in vicinity and that sot.lciing should
be said, OF done to excite attention 10 it,"
NoTms. (D. Iccrta;nly have no obicc-
ton, to any ones pointing olt tie real errors
of any church or society, and whilst the writer
Of the abovo article was engaged in attempt
ing to correct the errors which offend " cul-
tivatcd car he might have extended his d" la
bors of love-" and gone still further, and re-
Hgioasfy undertaken TO correct The whoIu oithe
evils, which have crcpt into the polity Of tie
church and if he should think proper, 10 con-
,uuc his labors, would advise him TO r;ifesh
his memory. and correct the wholo ofthc cata-
logrc of grievances, ono Of which at least it
seems has sadly disturbed lis Imagination
and .oncy,-aud as I an ready TO 90 with
him, hand in hand, il he will brt undertake the
task, in the spirit of candour and perfect good
will ask him, 20 devise ways and means 20
Suppress an odious practice, which, through
the vanity, couccit and ego;ism Of sogno, has
crcpt inio the church. II must he known to
him, that there arc individuals, who attend tho
conferences, who, by the uttcrancc Of long,
drv, dull, and unintcrcsling speeches, disgust
tho congregation, pat thom 10 sleep; and by
thus d,portinr, have compelled one Of tie
churches Of the town, 70 alter the moGus ope-
randi, or It's social conferences. This evil is
/, a distressing one, and il the writer in qucs-
ton, will correct It, lac will have done ser
vice. which will be acknowledged by the whole
people, and in some small degree, make amends
for his sratuitous and unnecessary atiaels on
the choir.
(s) is to the pronunciation Of words"
f will simply remark. that as ono oftbc Choir,