Polynesian. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu], Hawaii) 1844-1864, 1858-08-28
CHE ])olpnesiau.
(From the Napa Reporter.)
Music i'm Churches.
BY COTTON MATBER, JR.

of the highest and purest enjoyments of which hu
man nature is capable. | love it in all its multi
form varieties-whether breathing from instru-
ments or Voices whether in sorrow or gladness, in
Jubilee or wall whether in the murmur of the sea-
she'll or the song of birds. | have heard it too,
with all the different surroundings that lend to it
additional charms-in the May dance, in the social
circle, in the field, the moOn-lit waters and in
lofty cathedrals. A thousand remembered airs
sung of yore by lips now silent-sounded by harp
strings whose melody is mute forever-stil live to
bless and soothe in hours of gloom and despon-
dency and to whisper of brightness and purity once
oved-stil loved, though dwelling now with God
and the angels. Everywhere have | found in mu-
sic delight beyond the power of words to express,
and for the enjoyment Of which most fervently
thank the Father of ALL Among the fine arts it is
one of the nObest, and it well deserves the admi-
ration which in every age it has received from every
lover of the beautiful.
Doubtless after this avowal Of my preferences, it
may surprise many that l should doubt the pro-
priety of instrumental music as a part or accom-
paniment OF divine worship. | would, therefore,
ask fair hearing for an explanation of my views,
and beg that the remarks which offer may be
taken apology for opinions which, to ma
Orty, will seem behind the age.
The religion of Jesus-cOnsidered apart from all
adjuncts and surroundings of human device-is a
system of divine origin and consequently perfect
Il can therefore admit of no improvements-either
In its essence or in its modes of worship. 1t is,
like its divine author, "the same yesterday, to-day
and forever" If this be admitted, it must be evil
dent that by going back to the example of the prim
tive church, shall find light and authority
which should not be disregarded by those who
would in truth and sincerity be the followers of the
Lord Jesus Christ. What do we there find The
New Testament is everywhere silent to the use
of instrumental music in the worship of God. 1t is
true that in the worship of the emple-a system
which having fulfilled its mission the earth. WAS
about to give place to that of the GoSpel-the use
of instruments still existed, and was doubtless IA
miliar to the early Christians. But did they adopt
it! OF this find no scintia proof On the con-
trary, it would appear that the of instruments
was abandoned with the rest of the paraphernalia
of the ritual of that gorgeous ceremonial worship
which Christianity was to suppant. No more
were there to be types and shadows, costly sacri
hces-the pomp and blazOnry of that dispensatiun
which was at best but sublime symbolism. Man
was to look no more to the outward agencies and
forms to be at peace with his Maker, but was
taught that the ''kingdOm of heaven" was within
himself-that he the ''living temple OF the |
Holy Ghost. Indeed Our Savior seems to have
studiously avoided any compliance with the ancient
and prevailing Journalism, and neither he nor his
disciples, if can read Alright, ever sanctioned the
use Of instrumental music In divine worship. 1t is
only said that one occasion when they had met,
''they sang hymn" 1t does not appear that
even this to be initiated by other followers of
Christ in their subsequent meetings, a part Of
any "stated" form of worship, for no such thing
is essential part of Christianity-which is not
a system, but life. Its music, if any, vas to
be the spontaneous outpouring of the thankful
heart-withOut artistic display or the admiration
of an auditory.
If this be true, have not some portions of the
Christian world reason to inquire, whether as
touching this thing, have We not widely departed
from 'the faith once delivered to the saintsl" In
my Judgment weak though it may be, the Lord
Jesus, who "knew what in man, saw good
reason in mans own nature for omitting to sane
tion the use of Instruments in worship. He knew
that man, from the earliest ages, oppressed by a
sense of guilt and accountability, had been (as he
still is) prone to seek out of and beyond himself
for the means of pleasing God. This tendency is
seen in the sacrifices, the genuaections chantings
and mummeries of all systems, from Judaism down
to Fetishism.-Men have seemed to think they
could please God by mechansm-by the use of
proper tools and appliances.-AmOng these was
instrumental music-whieh, however glorious as a
work of art-hOwever it may please the of man
and render him jublant, tends rather to draw his
mind from God to the material agencies by which
he is moved, in admiration OF the skill OF mere
creature. Indeed the listener to such music is as
much intoxicated while under its potent spell, as
the opium smoker. or the votary of the oriental
'hatchis." His religion is a transitory dream
''born and dying with the blest breath that made
it," Similar is the effect of the great temple built
by human hands-the music congealed to marble
in gorgeous archtecture-such the tendency of
statuary, pictures, and every work of art in the
house Of God. The early Christians had none of
these things. Worship with them was the pros
tration of the soul before GOd-whether in an
upper rOOm," on the mountain side, or in the
desert. All with them was simplicity-all with
US, (even among PrOtestants,) is fast becoming
mere art and Journalism Indeed, could Chris
tian of the apostolic times this world and
visit a modern church, would he not imagine that
he had fallen upon some new-fangled form of hea-
thenism
1t was not until the third century, that the sim
plicity Of primitive worship began to be seriously
corrupted. Then the last for spendor-the fond
desire of man glorify himself under pretence of
glorifying GOd manifested itself in the Church.
The rites, the music, the robes and In short, what
ever had been found most imposing in Jewish or
Pagan worship, was either copied initiated, and
the hierarchy of Rome reduced the whole to one
system. In the 9th century the organ was intro
duced into the chu riches of Italy. This, o. some
substitute was universally used down to the days
of the Reformation. The Church of England,
founded by Henry the VIII and whose ritual is a
sort of parody upon the Catholic-a theological
Hamlet with the ghost left Out-retaIned the use
of instrumental music Most of the Protestant
Dissenters discarded it, and until within few
years it was very uncommon sight to see musi-
cal instrument in any Protestant church, excepting
the Episcopal. The Primitive Church had no
such thing, the A bigenses and Waldenses, the
Scotch Covenanters and the Pilgrim Fathers alike
condemned 1t. Churches were not IN their times,
places for amusement or the qualification OF rehn
ed tastes, but for instruction and worship. They
were plain, unostentatious-itted for their use.
But alas! What many of the IN in these de-
generate days2 Mere fashionable and genleel