The New York herald., 1845-10-10
American Musical Convention.


ladies' were present
The Rev H. Sicily opened the Convention with
prayer, at IL oc.ock. The Secretary read report,
and the following resolution was offered by Mr.
Howe.
Resolved That the introduction ofmusc into primary
schools and seminares as branch Of education, is, in
the opinion Of this Convention an important instrument
tality In the diffusion OF musical knowledge
Mr. Huron regretted the want of cheap eemen-
tary works suitable to teach children acknowledge OF
music suited 10 their capacities; OF such class of
works We were altogether devoid
committee reported The committee OF eleven ap-
pointed on the day previous. 10 lay a scheme for
The diffusion Of music before the Convention asked
Tor more time. Granted.
discussion her. commenced on the question of
the day, VIZ "How can musical instruments be
used in our churches. to the advantage Of religious
worship IT,
Mr.. WILLIAMS. of Conn. thought that musical
instruments might be made very important auxllia-
RES 10 the cause OF religion, in churches where they
have no organ. All instruments, however, were not
proper he would not approve Of the use OF the cla-
rione piano, or violin, on any account; snd those
proper TO be used were 10 be considered assisting
the human voice. IL often happens that the organ
leads the music, and takes such a prominent part,
that word OF the hymn or psalm cannot be heard
Ia this the love OF display was dscernble; instead
OF dwelling the sense, she minds of the audience
were directed to the skill Of the performer.
Mr.. ABBorr found some difficulties about the
question: which was to the best means OF produc-
ing given effect; for whatever means produced the
bes, effect, were IN all cases the best They would
do well to keep In view the distinction to be made
between the objects OF various performance; there
were some which contemplated nothing more than
mere musical effect, and in thus case little attention
was paid 10 the sense oi the words An illustration
OF the pleasure derived from such display
in the instance OF a foreigner who, although speaking
alinguage unknown to the hearer, delighted him
There ought TO be nothing theatrical in choir, but
there Was not to be restriction there to any insri-
ment more than elsewhere.
MR HOWE considered devotion the object Of all
orms OF worshlp-i was that sent people 10 church
1t was to please the taste they 90 to concerts. In
struments could not produce devotional music there
fore they should be excluded As the gospel without
eloqucnce was better than eloquence without the
gospel, so devotion without music was better than
music without devotion. The organ was useful
auxiliary when well used; as to other instruments he
had not high opinion of their use.
Mr.. HASTINGS made some observations much to
the same purpoHe
Dr. HooKER,as man OF the pulpit, desired to say a
word or two. He had better opportunity OF seeing
what took place. from the pulpit than one OF the con-
gregaton. He once heard an organ IN Boston,
whose bass sounded more like broken clapb0ard
swinging in the wind, than like any thing in the
shape of music. The organis ought 10 be possessed
sof good taste and judgment, and when he is such
tpsrson his performance can give essential service to
1.-THE minister, In sweetenng the exercises, and pro-
fmotng the spirit of devotion Some people objected
the use OF instruments, ,who perhaps, had not read
those passages IN the word OF God sanctioning their
| Ise. Good old Dr. Bellamy said during divine
Dservce the choir who had not pleased him in its
eriormance, " You must try again; cannot preach
fter such singing
Mr. OTIs made a few remarks in favor as we un-
erstood, OF instruments, and quoted 18th Chapter
y)f Chronicles to show 1t was IN use among the cho-
ksen people on the most solemn occasions
n Mr.. WARNER thought the Convention conducted
Is discussions in too desultory a manner, and not
rief enough, or careful to despatch business. lie
Ised TO take deep interest in such meetings, bur
rom the ecause mentioned and the generally insignia
4nt results he had conceived strong dsrellsh for
he mar Of the cage I'VE clear and paIn
The OF instr imens was legitimate far as they
Y,erved 10 aid the spirit OF devotion: Music is an
Nipproprate mode OF expressing religious emotions,
8with or without words, and taken IN combination
With other means, desirable to and worship. The
Equestlon before them was not as to the particular
1manner In which the organ should be played, but
Hsimply, whether or not the use OF instruments con-
ktribued to promote those exalted emotions OF rell-
kgion, and Impress them on the audience.
Mr.. GOULD thought 1t must be admitted, that there
twas nothing so acceptable TO devotional feeling,
Eas the music oil the human voice yet from the earll-
Fest times man was never content to sing the praises
Eof God and his works with his voice alone he
therefore, called in the aid OF instruments. But In re-
Fgard to their abuse he would say they were calcula-
tied to destroy or create deal ofdevotiona feeling
lie had known instances when the congregation
beng detained by warm or cold weather, during
their stay they have been entertained by solo on
single viooncello, or delighted with the solemnity
OF an interlude played on four viollns, to which,
iperhaps, some recent festive occasion, they had
danced the fantastic toe. Evidently there was
mo QtVOlOn III lHut. IHc uIsl lusuuUlcHt lNtIU
fduced into religious worship was the violoncello;
this was afterwards followed by the clarionet,
flute Nc; the violin was the last, and when people
an instrument which they were accustomed to
associate with leviy and profanity, they were SO
shocked as to rise up against It.. Hence the organ
introduced, and generally adopted, and happy
circumstance II was. Now, no person could say
that there was not more effect OF right KIND pro
duced by its use than there could be without it
One thing, however, In Its use, he could not be re-
concled to, that was, the fact OF organiss leading
too much, instead Of being to certain degree sub
ordinate III the performances they were In the ha-
bit OF playing as that the first hall OF each was
audible before the voices OF the singers were heard
Ii was not right and he felt it his duty to name it,
that those who perhaps unconsclously committed
the fault might avoid 1t.
Mr.. Howe thought the question OF vital lmpor-
tance All sorts OF mus-s was not proper tor devo-
ticn, and even it possible tor good music to be
carried far out OF its place in churches, as TO
take the place OF the religious instruction OF the
clergyman. What is the object OF minister IN the
pulpit 10 preach the gospel; not to show oil him.
self as fine orator; he has higher view; but we
know that II is possible for him to be carried away
so far by attention to oratorlcal display that his
hearers will admire 1t more than the sentiments IT
conveys. So with music. II is possible tor i to be
made so artisucal as to take the place OF religious
effect Hence the necessity that the organist should
be man Of discretion and jLdgment-a man con
versant with the Scriptures, and something OF a
theologian. All Instruments IL rightly used,
were proper and useful to the cause of religion.
Mr.. WARNER said, that the best of every thing was
to be used In our approach to God. SO 1t was OF
old. when the frstlngs OF the flock were offered to
linn. Consistently with this, music used to do Him
honor, ought to be OF the most excellent kind, and
the use OF no but those calculated to pro-
mote devotion ought to be allowed
MIR. TAYLOR SAID something about wasting the
time OF the house, when there were good many
calls ofauestlon, question, &c.
Mr. HILL then read this resolution, which he had
attempted to introduce before, unsuccessfully;
Resolved That the uso OF all musical instruments is
proper churches they rsed with dis
creton and accordance with religious edhcation and
that they should when used accompaniment, be
sabseryient to the human voice.
Mr. HORNE moved to add the word "organ" TO
the words all Instruments" The amendment
carried.
The PRESIDENT read some communications, and
afterwards stated that IN the Brooklyn Schools, mu