The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-12-27


of war; and prudent in matters and comey person
and the Lord is with him" Wherefore Saul sent messen-
gers unto Jesse, and said, send David thy son.
And David came to Saul and stood before him. And he
loved him greatly, and he became his bearer
And II came to pass when the evil spirit from God was
upon SAUL that David took harp aud played with his
hand SO Saul was refreshed and was well and the
evil spirit departed from him" Thus distinguished
for his skill in music, i is very natural That du:
ring his reign the art should have been much cultivated
and have been held in great esteem Not only did he
encourage it by the liberal allowances made for lis
support and by IT., the large number Of P persons
that he appointed four thousand Leves to praise the
Lord with Instruments he was also himself ustom-
ed to take an active part great public occasions for we
read that David and a the house of Israel play before
the Lord on all manner OF instruments made of frwood
harps and psateries and timbrels and
cornets and on cymbals and agan David and all Israel
played before God with all their might and with singing
and with harps and with Psalteries and with cymbals
of the words that employed in the Service of the
Most High but the music to which they sung is
entirely lost OF the musical instruments employ ed
the still remain but we may almost say nothing
but the for after the most digent investigation
made by the most learned men, little nothing that is
clear and satisfactory has been obtained That were
stringed instruments others wind and Others of the
ure of our drums and cymbals pretty certain but this
is all know Upon this subject very competent
authority saysfhe least ray OF hope remain that true
idea of Jewish instruments can ever be acquired must
be from the arch Of Titus at Rome where is supposed
that the spols brought by that emperor from Jerusalem
have been exactly represented in sculpture among these
several musical instruments particularly the silver
trmnets and horns s,pposed to resemble tho shawms
mentioned SO often In Scripture. But the arch upon
which these instruments are scuptured though of ell
lent workmanship not erected till after the death
Of Titus and to say the truth, the instruments are
OF uncommon form. The very imperfect know
instrumental music which allusion made in the Sacred
Scriptures TO speak accurately the ignorance
in with regard,o it, need not any serious
regret Could it be revived il would probably afford very
little pleasure except in the qualification OF curiosity
Burney says OF it. and his opinion carries great weight
WITH no left to determine. Their first
music and instruments seemed TO have remained very
rude state till the reigns of David and Solomon, when
perhaps they improved in quantity than quail
ty for the great number of Leves OF singing men and
singing women as well as of trumpets shawms comets
sackbuts cymbals and tmbres could only augment the
noisy cry of JOY or the clamo OF Petition The charac
music adapted might indeed to raise doubt of
the justice of this opinion If the poetry is so admirable
in its expression OF all the deepest sentiments of the human
soul perfect that poetry OF modern date can
bear comparison with it, why may we not suppose that
the music to which this poetry was sung and the nstru
similar degree of excellence? In the first place
reply the Psalms dictated by Divine inspiration and
served for the comfort and edioaton Of the Church to
the end Of time while the music not dictated nor
deemed worthy OF such preservation And again poetry
ton. while music is emphatically progressive Poetry
may exist in the highest state of excellence and has so
have been only in their infancy--but the per
lection of music, and the construction and com.
bination of musical instruments, are only found
where civilization is far advanced One Of the great
est discoveries in music and that which produces
of its most wonderful effects the harmony of parts,
the discovery Of centuries subsequent to
the period now speaking Of We have high autho-
ry for asserting that the invention Of choral harmony in
parts from the Trnitarian worship Of the Christian
Church II is certain that have music Of that form
in the world but such is Christian nor dow
read of any And the author goes on to express the
opinion that had not been for the schools of music esa
bshed and maintained by the church. music of secular
character could not have reached the measure of excel
lence to which it has attained will avail mysei oil
this observation bring these brief notices OF what the
scriptures state to concerning music to acoss although
may seem to be somewhat abrupt was my original
intention have given historical sketch of music as
far the sacred volume makes alfusion TO il but md
that to carry out my plan should leave myself no time
for some few observations which, wish to offer upon the
subject before in its connection with own times,
and the community in which live repeat then that
all self of observation from learned author at
rbuting the greatest Improvement that has ever been
made music To the Christian Church to close the histo
rca part OF my lecture The same observation naturally
leads me to what may be allowed to call its moral. |
have endeavored TO show that music had its origin in the
wisdom and benevoence OF that Great Being who Is the
author ofevery good and perfect gift II was He who
endowed with all his suscepbilies to the influence
of sweet sounds, and who constructed the human
voice and ear and SO arranged the material universe,
to minister to and crafty these susceptibies.-
In his sacred word far have had time to examine
it, have the cearest evidence that he approves and
courages the employment of this divine art in magniyng
and praising his holy We have seen also that to
the Christian church indebted for the greatest i'm
provement made in music five are delighted with
the effect produced by the power Of modulaon and har
mony with airs to use Millions words
Such as the meeting soul may pierce
In notes with many winding bout
Of linked sweetness long drawn out,
With wanton heed and giddy cunning,
The melting voice through mazes running,
Untwistng all the chains that tie
The hidden soul OF harmony;
If find pleasure in the present advanced state OF mu
Sic God indebted for suscepbilities
sounds and for the powers conferred nature
produce them to the Church OF God to look
for their earliest development May not claim then
he % Of
many ages this was the The most scientific and the
most beautiful music was consecated to the worship OF
the sanctuary But how has the spirit OF the world
invaded this department of ar and how do we observe
with that the most distinguished professional Ia
lent and the most elaborate musical compositions de-
voted to other than the Church and to another
worship than that Of Maker To such extent has
often found borrowing for its sacred uses the mu-
sic of the world. In very many instances the tunes
employed in the sanctuary and set to sacred words
originally composed for the theatre This regard
serious evil We remember indeed, that Of the
most eminent Divnes of the last century of the oun
dcrs of most respectable and numerous religious demo-
mination when II objected 10 him that he autho
rsed the song and other theatrical tunes for sacred
hymns said why should let the devil have all the
good music" Now for one would give that evil per
sonage little could and would deprive him, far
possible of the antage OF employing in his service
good and pleasant things. But STILL If he has really got
ten firm hold of any fine music would let him keep it
In other words would allow music to be employed
in the church which might endanger the carrying OF the
heavens by almost irresistible association Of ideas TO
very different place The music of the church and that
OF the world in my judgment should be kept separate
possible that when heard there could be doubt
as to where il belonged But this is subject which IT
would require time than left fully TO dev elope
would only say that In contendng for the employ
ofthe best musical talent for sacred purposes would
be supposed to defend the of elaborate difficult
compositions in the worship of Gods holy temple GER
tany prefer simple style Of music such would
interfere with its general and congregational practice
Some ofthe very best music is by the most Ella
borate it rather partakes of that character of sim
pcity which, while it renders it appreciable- by
every correct ear carries it home to every devout |
heart. ! have before mentioned that of the |
greatest musical goniuses that has ever lived dc. |
upon him by musical sounds when he heard very
simple strain sung by multitude osvoices. But ha
wing thus defended what regard the right of the
Church to the very best music that be produced
must before concluding suggest to your notice other
poin-t is accusation brought against in this
try, that we have national music. This, fear is a
charge true that we cannot repe il Now how
No who hears will deny that it is desirable we