Monongalia mirror. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1855, 1855-04-14
III COMMUNICATED

MUSIC Is the ElenCe VI AdlAlolllcll
and melodious sunds. 1t claims its
origin in the skie, and for q history Of
it, I refer yout' the Bible, in which
; you will learn that when the Lord
slaid the foundations Of the earth the
morning stars sing together, and oil
the sons Of Godnouted for joy" JOB
3S: Z" I. SOFT the nativity Of our
Saviour, when tcre appeared to the
shepherds q multitude Of the heavenly
host, praising Go and saying, !" Glory
to God in tie hihest, and on earth
!. peace, good will twards men," From
this we may ready infer that its ori-
gin is of God. Hence we infer that
perfection in this science, in the true
sense Of the term. exists only in hea-
ven; but that il iscapable Of being re-
duced to such perfetion, even by US the
inhabitants of the arth, when properly
used in our churchs, as to rebound to
the glory of God, md the best interests
of the performersand the hearers, in
awakening and strengthening their de-
votional affections, when holding COM
munion with the Either Of mercies.
Even as far backas the days Of Da-
vid, the sweet singc in Israel, the sci
ence Of music obtaind a high rank
Solomon, the son 4 David, not only
cultivated it to b hgh extent, but, by
the inspiration ofth Holy Spirit, fur
nishcd materials (putry) for devotion
al exercises, which an highly valued by
the people Of God, anl have been added
to the inspired volume. How great
must their influence lave been in pro
noting this heavenly science, when, at
the dedication Of the ;emple there were
about four thousand singers and play
crs on instruments, WHO performed to-
gether With SO much accuracy that their
sounds were as one sound, praising;the
Lord. This, We suppose, is as near
perfection as we cancome, and much
nearer, I fear, than We shall be likely
to approach. r bgytve f
From this We learn that the genera
.tions that have lived snce the davs of
David and Solomon ID to the present
time, have retrogradedin the science of
music. Yes, they haze gone far back
into the shades Of igorance and in
difference. Oh! how lamentable it is
that we so frequentl hear SO much
discord and confusion f voices in our
churches, when there olght to be q per-
feet harmony and union to celebrate
the praises Of God Alright. And that
which makes it the moe lamentable is,
this is the nineteenth century, a time
in which we ought to beperfect in that
science which is calculaed to calm the
troubled breast, and, when properly
used, to strew our pathway with plea
sure and holy delight. But do not un-
derstand mo to belieyetiat musicis the
same thing as piety. Fir from it -
But it is means Of dltivating and
strengthening piety, ani of elevating
and giving life to devotional exercises.
We close by summing up what we
have said in favor Of The cultivation of
Vocal Music. 3'tf'T
1. We should cultivate this science
because itoriginated IN heaven.
2. Because Of its Curious effects in
religious worship. N ,@.-s.. ~.
8. Because it is coeyal with creation.
4. Because tits q high privilege
Tho highest archangel in the New Je-
rusalem deems a glorious privilege thus
to celebrate the praises of the King Of
King. .Dg
And if We should bs SO fortunate at
the dissolution Of soul and body as to
have Dur spirits borne to the realms of
bliss, We shall join the heavenly song
sters in swelling the anthems Of the
Redeemcr's praise and our hymn of
praise shall be, fGlory, honor and
power to Him that sitteth in the throne
and to the Lamb forevcr!" a ,oa
J.T.C-
Fairv,iiievi, Fayl0rco., Va. a5g.