American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1857-04-11
For the American Union.
CHURCH MUSIC-coNr1NUE


CHURCH MUSIC-coNTINUED.
Mr.. Editor:-
In conformity with our intention
expressed at the close of our piece in
the last No. of your paper, we appear
in this one with additional arguments
in confirmation of the use of Instru-
mental music in religious devotions.-
And as corroborative of the practice
we would urge, as third reason, the
fact which will be universally admit
ted, that the silvcry notes of the much
improved instruments of the present
age enhance in a great degree the
beauty of the choral music. Musical
sounds, apart from their combinations,
have in the times of their vibrations,
certain mathematical proportions which
give them an intrinsic beauty, beau
ty original in themselves; and how much
these mathematical proportions have
to do with the worship of the Most
High, is problem for the solution of
which, the reader is respectfully refer
red to the higher mathematics.
But besides, original music has also
an associated beauty. AS soon as the
undulations of the atmosphere, caused
by the vibratory motion of the instru-
ment, impinge against the tympanum
of the ear, emotions are excited that
call up in the mind trains of associa.
tions intimately connected with scenes
in our past life. And what interest
ing & endearing associations hover a
round the sweet notes of the melode-
on! how many have sat, lost in rcverie,
their very souls cntranced as they gaz-
ed on an angel form whose delicate,
jewelled fingers gracefully moved in
the execution of somo grand polka &
whose countenance was radiant with
affections smile. These associations
which speak of love must elevate the
soul to Him whose essence is love-
Such is the power of Instrumental Mu-
sic that the ancients ascribed to it the
achievement of wonders:
"For Orpheus' lutte was strung with poops
snews,
Whose golden touch could soften steel and
Make tigers tame, and huge levia thens
Forsake unsoundod depths to dance on sands.'
In the fourth place, we allegc in de-
fence of the practice, that it is becom..
ing fashionable. The Established
Church of England, an aristocratic ma
tion, which delights in gorgeous dis
play, has long since had its costly or
gans and remunerated choiris ters; and
should we, a nation naturally rich, and
rivalling or excelling her in modern
improvements, permit her to snrpass
us in this one particular Certainly
rot. Besides our Eastern churches,
where the novel fashions are received
fresh from the mint of Europe, have
their instrumental music, and it be-
comes us to follow in the wake of their
spiritual improvements.
Again--it meets with the approba.
tion Of the young. A goodly number
of aged Christians, who love to worship
God Gin the beauty of holiness" are
doubtless offended by this so-called
innovation; and we are aware of the
declaration, ut is good not to do ana
thing whereby My brother is offended"
but these offended ones are supeyanua-
ted Christians, whose blind attachment
to customs of long standing has render
ed them imperyious to the force of ar
gument, and they will soon pass off the
stage of action and cease to be barri.
or in the way of our improvements
Hence according to theory of morals
(the Theory of Utility this course in
the main is virtuous one.
Our last allegation in favor of these
sdcro-sanct strains, which so admirably
attune the contrite heart to the praise
ct the Deity, is, it is exponding money
in agood cause. True it is not cast
ing our "bread upon the waters" di-
rectly, but it is casting it on the atmos-
phere which is an ocean Of ether.--
Those enrapturing strains of bursting
melody as they are borne like 80 many
angel voices on the attenuated air; how
resembling the divine effluvia that in,
spircd the "holy men of old" and how
expressive of that contrition, SO char
acteristic of the humble worshippor.--
And all this for the small pittanco of
one hundred or one hundred and fifty
dollars, which, humanity speaking, cod
not be instrumental in snatching more
than one immortal spirit from the flames
of pordition. These which arc but
few links in the great concatcnation off
arguments in yinlicafion Of the use of