Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1852-12-03
Church Music.


The literal ful6lment Of this prophecy
in our day, is not only proof of the correct
ness of the rule of Interpretation adopted
by Keith, but also proof Of the specific
character ofprophecy and the inspiration
of the prophets. Seldom is proof stronger,
or clearer, or more universal. There was
time when hymns were sung in our
churches. Now they are torn to tatters
by shrieks, or shaken to pieces by trilling,
Or their necks broken, by sudden leaps
down lofty precipices. In a word, the
good, old, hearty utterances of 'awful
mirth," as the ancient hymn book hath it,
are no longer heard in our place Of wor-
ship. The large chsir, with which no
small proportion of the congregation Joined,
hs, grown small, and would that we could
say beautifully less" till two or three at
most "do" the hymns, while not soul is
permitted to lift up bis voice (hardly his
hean,) in the whole congregation.
The singing in our churches is becoming
an occasion for the display Of musical talent
1t is a show, a scene, mere display, Of
tentimes where persons without principle
or character, entirely unknown to the wor-
shippers, tear to tatters the beautiful devo-
tional hymns of our churches, "and the
people delight to have it so ?" Not all Of
them. Not majority of them, We trust.
But still enough Of them to sustain style
of Singing We will not call it, performance,
which deadens piety, and cherishes pride
and love of show In many Of our churches,
the proportion of voluntary on the organ
to singing by the choir, is unpardonably
excessive, In some instances we have
thought that the hymn was considered as
afTording an opportunity for the organist
to show his skill, and not an occasion to
sing praise unto the Lord, and give thanks
unto the name of the Most High.
Church singing is not "concert" for
the display of talent, and the delight Of
the ear, simply it is sacred act Of wor-
ship the utterance of heart full Of love,
or penitence, or joy, or gratitude. Hence
the more persons there ARE who unite in
'!'c singing, the more beftting and edify-
ing the service Would that all the Lord S
people were singers But they are not yet.
Still, in the most Of our congregations not
a tithe of ,:worshipers sing who cds sing
rell-not artistioaHy, perhaps, but well.
A serious difficulty now lying in the way
of a more general union in this part of
worship, is the incessant change which is
made in ourtunes, either new ones, entirely
unknown to the congregation, or the old
ones are as entirely metsmorphosed as was
Rip Van Winkle by his nap on the Kaat-
skill. Now, one Of the most obvious means
by which music affects US, is association.
The air which we heard on our mothers
knee, sounds more sweetly on our ear and
touches our heart more tenderly than the
applaudsd tune, that challenges the high
e., skill of the most practised performer to
execute it. But very few persons in our
congregations have time to learn new
tunes, even were it desirable to have them
introduced by the choir to any grea. ex-
tent. Still fewer are those who can appre-
ciate those little delicacies of execution
which are often sought for, to the great
loss of substantial and generally appreci-
able portions of the tune.
We believe there should be revolution
not simply reformation in our church
music, both in the tunes and in the man
ner of singing them. We are aware thai
this il delicate point. But for this very
reason we are for touching it before it j:
tenderer before custom has become ;
prsscriptive right ; before habit offensive
to many, AID not in Accordance with tn
true idea of church music, shall have st
fixed itself upon the worshipers as to b
interchangeable. We are not advocates o
congregational singing in the usual ac
ceptation of that phrase, simply becau
our congregations are not sufficiently vel
skilled in music to keep time, and perform
their part in q proper manner. We woul
have choir, large cld-iashioned choir
composed of the best singers in the con
; cregation. Then we would have all tn
congregation sing into whose mouths tn
Lard has put the voice Of song. The powe
of the organ and choir will direct and SUI
tain the voices Of the congregation. Tn
tunes sung, should be old, familiar, sui
stantial tuaes, which will wear, and gro
better for their wear. for ever. The cho
should be composed of reveren: and seriou
worshipers, whose department is such
to give dignity to the service. The col
, duct of some choirs is disreputable an
disgraceful. Incsssant whispering an
laughing fill up the space between the We
ses occupied by the voluntary a shamef'
IS ls.vos disturhs the minister