Southern reveille. (Port Gibson, Miss.) 1851-185?, 1852-11-24

harmony, and not for strains OF semi.operatie
s,ntimcntalily, neither one thing nor the 9TH
er. They deeply mistake who deem that
sacred music needs the aid Of foreign cmbel.
ishments to render it interesting; it is. in its
severe plainness and sublime simplicity, the
highest style Of art, aud has been the chosen
pursuit Of the greatest masters Of divine sci
encc.
The sound Of familiar tune is like the
sight Of an honest old friends FACET diffuses
glow Of delight through the soul. All. this
was Significantly illustrated no; long since in
a church where the writer happened to be
present The congregation. finding it utterly
vain to attempt to follow the intrcacies Of
winding chain Of "airy nothings." had re-
signed themselves to a sort Of dreamy languor
when. with series If cleft and cunning mod
ulations, the worthy successor Of Jeduihan.
suddenly landed from distant key into the
region Of A. major, for the Gloria Patri: did
hear Alright! A -A-G; no-surely it
could not be possible. but yes F-E-con-
tinuej on. and 10 shade Of the august refor-
mer the classic structure. Old Hundred, in all
its primeval glory, loomed grandy out Of the
mist The hint was enough. the right chord
was touch d apathetie countenances bright
ened up, resolutely closed lips opened-not to
hurrah wildly, gentle reader, for such an
ebullition would be considered high indeeorum
ia a church; but to catch the refreshing sound
and a mighty song was raised. such as the
wall had not reverberated for many day
One lady humorou.ly declared to me ifer
wards, that, in her noighborhood, several, in
very eagerness to tase the full good Of the
lucky chance. grew quite forid in the face
with the force of their vocal exertions; not a
few hearts were gaddened thereby although
it might have been intended as a piece Of
pleasantly kindly freak. on the part OF the
perpetrators
As a musical composer, in very bad taste,
and exeeeling impolite, too, it would be for
me to wish to exclude new music from any
sphere whatever whether sacred or secular;
on the contrary, il is expcdient. when 30 much
fna music is continually being produced, to
introduce occasionally new chants AMI tunes
into the church. where it can be accomplished
with discretion; but one at a time, not bring
ing in a fresh one until the people have had
sufficient time and opportunity to become. in
a measure at least. familiar with the former.
Even in this case il would be better not to
displace the ancient landmarks, while there
are 50 many new words to which to adapt new
airs The perpetual straining after novelty
is enough ID weaken, if not to destroy, all
interest in the church service, and the num-
bers OF those who most loudly advo ate it
would be everywhere in the minority, were
not the promptings If fashion more lis ened
to than those Of thoughtful common sense.
Now. this perpetual striving after some
thing new; for something new" (vide the
Rev. Ralph Hoyt's aatiiul poem under this
title, which j. gradually despoiling the music
OF the church Of lis noble antiquity and holy
associations, that is substituting poor modern
for fine classic music-spiritless solos for
grand choruses, such as those which thunder
frih from the congregations Of thousands in
the cathedral at Harlaem, may be traced home
to one source-the choir; not always COM
pose | Of the most efficient or judicious per-
sons to whom the clergyman might lepuie his
authority-the authority his by virtue Of his
ofice-as may be seen BY references to the
Prayer-book - @
Aud, further. it shall be tho duty Of every
minister with such assistance as he can obtain
from persons skilled in music. to give orders
concerning the tunes % be sung at any time
10 bis church; and especially it shall be his
duty to suppress al light and uuseemly music
and all indecent and irreyerence in the per-
formance, BY which vain and ungodly persons
profanc the service Of the sanctuary.
No one deems that extraordinary genius is
necessary in order to sing common chant or
psalm tune, in time aud tune; thore is not
ono out Of hundred. in any intelligent as
sembly, but is capable Of deing 20; yet would
the minstrols Of the singing gallery fain make
profound mystery OF their vocation, practis-
ing species Of priesi-craN. in endeavcring.
BY every yuse ia their power, to battle the at
tempts Of the uninitiated multitude below to
take part in divine service, The importance
assumed By the ordinary class Of amateur
choir singers--and designate al a. anna
teurs--who have not served years Of regular
systematic stnleniship to the profession. is
proverbial, and although to philosopher it
may be amnsingly ridiculous, regular musici-