Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1845-01-09
fCommunicated.l


The public are aware that an ef1or, has been
making, in this place and vicinity, during the
past year 10 promote improvement in the noble
science of Sacred Music. How far the effort
has been successful, or whether il has been so
at all, it does not become one that has been a
learner, to decide. One thing is pretty evident,
however, that a very important incentive TO pro-
gress in that effort. due from an enlightened
withheld-in great measure at least. The
public have mol bestowed lively sympathy upon
the promoting Of the prsise-worlhy object of
eievating Sacred Music to the rank i, should
hold as part of the established worship of the
sanctuary. They have looked on as though
they regarded The whole business Of singing,
whether considered as science or an art, as
a mere pastime and amusement for the parties
Immediately concerned. And even the Church,
with few exceptions, has stood off, as if they
would say-let the praise Of God take care Of
itself, Notwithstanding the Bible teaches US to
sing " with the understanding" lha. is, under
standinsly; which can never be done without
some cultivation Of the ar, Of music. | am not
going 10 say any thing harsh of the public in
general, nor Of the Church in particular, on ac-
count Of the apathy they have manifested in re-
laiion TO this suhjec,-perhaps they have the
best Of reasons for the course they have chosen
to pursue. should like TO hear them, howev-
er. Perhaps they have never bestowed ten
minutes of serious thought on the strong claims
which sacred song presents for their coun,e
nance and support, and this is the more proba-
bic supposition. | bring forward the fact, how
ever, as thing to be Iamenied, ard as thing
TO be obviated, as eAeclualIy and as soon as
possible. The public should look kindly upon
every lawful attempt to extend The knowledge
of mssic-then we may expect TO see solid i'm
provemen,, and not ill then.
II is no, the object of the wler of this brief
article, to bring forward a, present the reasons
that he deems cogent and perfectly conclusive
TO establish The expediency and duty OF the
general study and practice Of this interesting
dit NC supJcCi, Ho"O'oi, 10 Ouc tud' Invites,
and will richly reward, close and thorough
examination. To present il worlhily would
task mind not only awake 10 the ravishing
harmones which God has established in the
world Of sound, but one strengthened by ardu-
Gus discipline, and enlightened by an extensive
acquaintance with the ample domain Of human
knowledge.
Waiving for the presen, higher considera-
tions, the capabi,y of music as promoter ol
innocent and rational amusement, is not un-
worthy Of regard. The capacity of learning
music, and consequently of receiving pleasure
from musical exercise, is possessed by almost
every human being. |, is the opinion of some
who have reflected and observed much on The
subject, that even in those cases which pas,
for hopeless, there is a latent capacity which
which might have been developed by early cul
,ure. Il may be true, however, that there ar,
few, here and there, owing TO some physica
defect, "tha, have no music in their souls" ant
though. in The case OF such individuals, we will
hesitate in applying the startling and rather un
charitable inference Of The great bard of nature
that such are only " fit for treason, siraiagem
e and spols"-ye, i, cannot be denied that the.
: lack source OF pure and lasting pleasure
which s'hers, more favored by nature, enjoy.