The Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1846-1852, 1847-11-05
ITO sooth the savage,
Soften a rock or split a cabbage

. coipSH IoON VI spllI CduuhSS
We happeuto be among the number,
unfortunately, who are precluded from
Joining a musical circle, unless it be to
sit upon the banks of a mill-pond and
join chorus with the frogs. We were
told once that every one could learn to
sing and SO we tried it. But after a quar-
ter of "a lessons, the singing master told
us that he would make no charge for to-
ition and give us $1,000 besides, if we
would learn TO rise and fall with eight
notes. Nuf ced: We didn't try; and
from that time henceforth and forever we
foreswore all connections, of all kinds
whatsoever, with the musical world
Consequently, we will let the children of
the musical god settle their differences
among themselves. We are always con-
sidered decided enemy TO choirs and all
sorts of music, and musical bore besides,
when we joinin.
ChOirs i'm Churches.
We last week commenced an article on
this subject; few additional considera-
tions will comprehend all we have to say.
I'VE have already adverted to the &C.
pense required to maintain fashionable
choir; but there is another aspect of this
idea. Choirs constitute "pait and par
eel of lot" of modern improvements,
which occasion an enormous outlay and
sometimes involve churches in the most
serious embamassments We have heard
of a church which was deeply in debt,
and utterly unable to extricate ITSELF
Its members found it necessary to go a.
broad on what is termed "a begging ex-
pedition," to solicit funds to save it from
''Sherff's SALE" While this canvass was
going forward in sister churches, at home
the debt was actually increased in order
TO procure an organ and get up choir!
What was the apology for this strange in
consistency?-why, desire to bein fash.
ION and in tune; Moreover, the organ and
choir would prove an enticement, "a kind
of bait to allure people into the church
and augment the number of hearers.
Did this show forth an humble reliance
ON God and the efficacy of powerfully
and unctiously preached gospel or was it
trusting in an arm of feshl But with
these choirs Is connected vast deal OF
other moderaizing; such as new organ
sofa seats, carpets, fresco-painting, mar.
BILE pulpits, touch Of the Gothic, stained
glass. sc all which is very expensive
Keeps the churches in debt and prevents
them from contributing what they ought
to the spread of the gospel among the
destitute. AS part of this great system
Of pride and extravaganza, cholrs, as
they at present exist in some churches
come in for their just proportion of ob
lection In fine, the whole Parapher
MALTA of fashionable church improve
ments, reminds us of shift or stratagen
pursued by hard-run merchants toincrease
their business, known by the expressive
slang Of drumming for customers. y
Thus the solemn character of gospel or
dinances sinks out of view, and the pow
or of the gospel and even moral motive Il
'unfelt. Associations with the sanctuar!
as the house of God, the gate If heaven
Gods resting.place and chamber wher'
hegives audience, are almost entirely ex
.pelied under this system, in the plenl
tude OF its voluntariness
,.g1 It's ground Of just complaint thO
the congregation does not join in wit
o the choir. But whose fault is it?--ur
doubtedly that of the church. The churc
say we must have music to attract tn
young people and the world. SShame
shame!i:o 70 sacrifice spiritual worship, tn
good ofthe members of Christ, and tn
honor ofGod,in attempting to laytraps t
aentice people tohear the gospel. The go,
pelneeds nosuch aid. 1t presents life an
death II is Of itself the most,importan
and should be the most attractive thin
sin the world" But this fine music, sc
A up as a'decoy- pigeon in Gods sanctr
ary, is SO scientific, and SO often changed