Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1855-05-19

1.-THE following views on the subject of Congregational
Singing" were written at the suggestion of Prof BRAD
BRY in reply to an article in the New York Recorder, e.
Regiscr. advocating The dlsbanding of Choirs i
MESSEs EDITORS In the columns of your
paper Of the 18th of March, there is a commu-
nicatOn entitled Il" Congregational singing"
which, while it it contains much that is good,
and depicts in truthful colors an evil which we
all depore, hints in no very ambiguous terms
at a remedy for the disease, which will not meet
with the same degree of approval in all quar-
terS The writer, in the course of his remarks
on the necessity of congregational worship,
seems to think that the first great step is to
disband the choirs This s'evident from such
explanations as the following =" We do not
believe in the American method of choirs y
The old apathy, to some extent, begotten of
a mental surrender of singing duties to choir
experts, would die into new, and strange, and
blessed enthusiasm &c, &c. This is evidently
the opinion of the writer, that the sooner choirs
be dispensed with the better. From this view
we utterly dissent
And at the outset We would remark that we
see no necessity, in advocating congregational
music, to preach a crusade against choirs In
preaching mp the one, we see not the remotest
bCtdSlOH W pFedcu OCUH TIC OlHcT. we Will
give our full acquieSccnce to all that the writer
says in his advocacy of worshipeFS taking a
more general interest in the music of the sane
tuary Nay, we wish from our heart that all
would unite with one voice in praising and glo-
rfying GOd-but how is the end attained by
an ndlscriminate attack upon choir organiza-
tlons, when the fault lies with the people them
selves? There is, indeed, room for vast i'm
provemcnt both on the part of choirS, and also
I'VE must say it, on the part of congregations,
IN the better understanding of the mutual re-
latlOnS i'll which they stand to each other and
OF the duties incumbent on each-but with all
their faults, how would we get along without
rhors! The experiment, to say the least,
would he hazardous one. What little prof.
clcncy we have gained in music, we owe to
lhoSe whose skill must ever make them leaders
III public worship: and this is as it should be.
There must be leaders, proficient in every science
ana art (thoSe who from their natural gifts
ana uhremlttlng toll have risen above the ordi-
nary leyel,) or that science will either stand
s'ii OF take retrOgrade movement. Music
lids become Popu5ari2ed, and why 1T has be-
'Vne The delight of the million, and how be
cause the million have been taught, and have
sung, without instruction or guidance? No. |
naI because few men eminently qualified, |
nave devoted their time and labors to this i'm
I"'aht subject. They have brought their la
%oIs .,, TO bear on those who are in some degree
sailed IN music. These in their turn instruct
"i0 influence others thus in a short time
.ae whole mass will imbibe pure and proper |
.Ne Musical Conventions are already work |
Ls wonders in this respect. But more of this
=, lhe great end is to establish the voices of |
~ .lF people who frequent the sanctuary in pub |
:" worship. How can this end be most effec- |
55aal,y attained? This is the point. Not, in
t g'o0 ny assuming that all are instructed, for |
taa tIS VIII be found to be most lamentabe mis- |
ont sA'; Not, indeed, by making the people teach
u, w. oat by teaching the people But how can
s ss oe taught, unless there are some to teach |
n msll how can they really know what good |
an.Sc is, unless they hear good music? and how |
E'1 a d congregation derive more benefit than by |
, ,%''"Ilg TO and receiving instructions from |
,I oN VINO are themselves skilled in music under |
,an guidance Of a skiful chorister ? There is
~ol rgallg wrong in this unless the choir wish to
N.Y. ,u,'oize all the singing But surely an ar
ron. ' would not wish to destroy it's captains be-
~ 1% 'Aey cane in for little more of the glo- |
tono 10 VI II no" and then became q little too amb-
pot ~. y" Gi'Splay. Suicidal policy this. We need
1'' O1fl down the barn to get rid Of the |