The Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1846-1852, 1847-11-05
Church Music.

NnUiCn MuSIC.
| Asensible article has appeared in the
N. York Commercial Advertiser, on the
subject of singing in churches, which has
been copied into the Presbyterian. The
article advocates congregational singing.
but does not dispense with the choir.
We are pleased with this view ofthe
subject, and regard it as the true ground
to be taken and maintained. In this mat
ter, we aPprehend the churches are in
danger of extremes. Here, we discover
the same gyrations as in other matters. in
which human society is making advan.
ces. We once had congregational sing
ing; but what was III 1t usually exhibi-
ted the virtue of a spiritual lfe This
particular was as it should be. BUTT was
sadly deficient in correctness and taste;
and the lovers and cultivators Of correct
psalmody, could not but desire to effect
a change for The better; forthey felt as all
would admit, that our holy religion not
merely permitted good order and good
taste in all things, but required it and
taught it. They held, and correctly too,
that confusion and jargon, in this part of
divine service. was unworthy of the wor-
shippers oftheir Creator who had endow-
ed them with the power to sing his praise,
and favored them with the means of cul.
tivating that power, so that they might
"sing with the spirit and with the under
standing too" Something must be done.
A universal training of the people could
not be secured at once, for the mass ne-
ther saw nor felt the need Of it. The
majority not having heard any better per-
iormances than themselves could make;
could not appreciate the notion that there
was a higher standard to be reached; and
hence regarded the idea as too fanciful
for the sincere worship oftle living God.
What could be donel The only pract-
cable course was, that the few who ap-
Ipreciated the importance ofimprovcment,
should associate together and give the
congregation an example gilmore correct
performance. The result was choir.
But instead of the congregation follow
ing the choir in its improvement. they sat
and listened; and some went away and
complained that they were prevented
joining in the praises of God.
The cessation ofmusic fromthe congre-
cation as an evil incidental to the meas
ure adopted for improvement. Some in
deed, honestly think that the choir ar
rangement is essentially evil in itself,
and legitimately produces this effect;
therefore should be set aside. But let
US not deceive ourselves. The congre-
cation has grown silent-but why? Be-
cause the choir has silcnced them! No
the real cause is their own ignorance of
music. AS soon as TIE choir set up
standard of correct singing, and enlarged
the number of tunes, so as TO meet the
various metres and subjects ofthe Hymn
book they were at once out ofthe peoples
latitude. How could the choir avoid this?
Why, in no way. but by settling down on
the old t,oclUe tunes, and adhering to the
old manner of performance. which would
be to give up the idea of advancing at
all beyond the confines of "barbarous
song" We will take occasion here, to
remark that we shall not justify the course
which is often pursued by choirs-we
mean that of displaying their powers on
an unnecessary extent and variety of
tunes. If there is an evil in the congre
CATION, there is sometimes an evil in the
choir, as when they regard the congrega-
tion as their audience. But to return,
1t must be evident to all, that the pri-
mary wrong lies with the congregation,
in refusing and neglecting to cultivate
their ability for music. One step of ad-
vancement has been made by means of
the choir arrangement-the standard of a
more correct psalmody has been raised.
Now what is the neat step! To pull
down the choir, and return to barbarous
sounds? This would be going forward
with vengeance The thing 10 be done
is obvous-the people must learn to sing
intelligibly; especially the youth. Sub
stantial and energetic measures must be
adopted to compass this desirable end.
And when the congregation have learn
ed to sing, and join with the choir, then
we shall have taken the second step in i'm
provement, long desired by the wise and
good. There is beginning to be de-
mand for congregational singing. This
isright, and we are glad to hear it. We
hope it indicates determination among
the people to learn to sing, But if, un-
fortunately it means, 1--WE will return to
the old fashion none be mistaken;
this will not be tolerated. A taste for
correct singing, even among those who
cannot themselves perform, is now too
widely diffused TO permit it, and those
who should advocate such step, would
be as much dissatisfied with it as others.
We are fully aware, that to bring about
congregational singing, according to the
present standard of taste, will require
much labor and perseverance. But eve
ry one knows that "there are no gains
without pains" No valuable attainment
was ever reached by Incidence and neg
lect. The officers ofthe church must rise
up, and forward their enterprise. Com.
: petent teachers must be secured and
suitably compensated. There must be
high sense of religious responsibility felt
: by those who have the oversight of the
flock. One of the many happy effects of
/. thorough reform, which might be nam
ed, would be gathering aronndthe church,
and binding TO it, the warm affections of