Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1855-04-13

Of the chapel of St. George; she had hark
ened to the most ETHEREAL solos and gor
geous choruscs that art could perform an'
money could procure, bat this was onl,
praising God by deputy, while the peopl'
in the pcws were silent; and now, for th,
first time, she witnessed, among the hill
Of Abcrdecnshirc, a congregation whc
were really in earnest, and who with one
consent lifted up their voices to magnify
the Lord.
We fear that the churches in our cite.
and towns are growing in number, il
which the system of singing by deputy
prevails, and We can not but regard the
decay of congregational singing as a sure
index tina: vital piety among the people is
on the decline We do not believe that
the churches in our denomination are
worse in this respect than others arouLd
Us. Still we lave Our faults to confess,
and it is time that in many quarters VIC
should begin 20 amend
1t is deplorable to witness, in the house
of God, a congregation assembled, of
which the greater part Of the people could
if they would, take part in the psalmody !;
and yet li'tless Indifference, or an evil
arrangement as to the style of music, pre-
vents them from joining IN the song of
harmony In few churches it is fash
ionoJIe no. to sing. A choir is well paid
for discharging this duty, and why should
high bred ladies and gentlemen do SO vul-
gar a thing as praise God They are
able to hire others to sing for their amusc-
mcnt and qualification. OF course,i it would
be travelling out of our record to inquire
if such parties do not view the duty and
privilege Of prayer in the same manner,
and hand it over to be attended to by the
minister whom they have paid for praying
for them also /!
1n some congregations, an honest desire
to improrc the psalmody exists and ac.
cording!y choir, and it may be an organ
is provided and maintained at considerable
expense. 1t soon begin, to appear that
the desired results are not secured Whe-
ther the members Of the choirare members
of the church, or mere professional sing
ers, it j, generally found that as they are
more advanced in the science of music
than the body Of the congregations so their
superiority is displayed in singing airs,
with which the people are unacquainted.
Of course, the people are then silent.
Plain, solemn aud solid airs, such as arc
suitable for congregational use, are set
,side for light and aippant movements,
md here again the people feel that they
IRE set aside. BY and bye, the choir feel
hat they have secured an amount of pow
#, and may venture on certain liberties
md when they have succeeded in making
felt to be "a power in the
'hurch," they will even arrange and die
ate ehat "pieces are to Je "pertorn,eal'
IN the Lords Day ! Some time since,
when travelling in a stage with a number
# ministers, we heard one Of them des-
riding scene through which he passed
vhen preaching for a brother, who had
'ecn absent from his charge On reach
ng the church he sent slip of paper to
he proper quarter, intimating the psalms
nd hymns which he had selected as bear.
ng on the subject of his discourse. When
n the pulpit he received note, stating
hat the choir would not sing his selec.
ion that they had practiced during the
'eek the pieces which they had agreed on
or the day, a list of which they sent him,
nd that these alone they would sing. Not
'ishing to have scene during Divine
ersiee, the preacher yielded to this inso-
mt dictation, although he felt mortified
t finding such state Of things in any
hurch.
Now, in relation to the whole subject
organs and choirs of every kind, whe,h-
r they be choirs which dictate to minis.
rs,or raise cabals and drive or ministers,
r amuse themselves behind their curtains,
T otherwise behave unseemly in the house
God, we wish to lay down a simple
rinciple-namely the subject of psal-
'ody in every congregation is under the
,ntrol of the church. Few will be found
} object to choir in which prudence, ,and
regard to :he objects of their appoint
ent, are found to prevail. When the
ader of choir is found to select such
rs as arc known by the people, and are :
ally suited for congregational use, it will
, generally found that the people will
'rdially join. Should tendency be ob-
rved for musical display, to the injury
the public praising Of God, it is the
lty of the church at once to interfere.
he leader, or the members of any choir
at should be tolerated, will readily re-
i've a judicious suggestion, conveyed in |
proper manner and the parties who viii
fuse such advice, are unit for tho place 0