The weekly Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1860-1863, 1862-06-12


him, nor ever given attention 10 the ete:
cution Of il by those who do sing correct,
ly, to even become All imitator in any
correct sense; instead Of such a man s
worship being according to the best Of
his ability. it is according 10 bis unculti.
vated ability; which is the result, Of bis
own neglect. and for which delinquency
bis Maker will bold him to astrict &C.
count. ! would DOt, BY this remark. cast
single reflection upon any ancestors in
the church, who did not understand the
science Of music, for it is we'll known
that these hen did cultivate an initiative
style Of singing, which was the best their
age, and opportunity fursi.bed. But this
will not furnish refuge for the delin-
Iquoucy Of thousands in this sge. Because
the means Of cultivation are within the
reach Of all. ,e .....-.is.1
Secondly. | argue that il should be
done correctly. froih the design Of this
part Of our worship. A strict examina'
tion Of all our religious acts, will show
that we are required to perform them. no
for the entertainment. or benefit. Of our
maker, but on account Of their influence
on the party performing the action, and
this is particularly so 10 regard to music
it is soothing, refining, and elevating, in
its influence upon our natures. And il
must be manifest to any reasonable mind
that this end is gained. Just 10 proportion
to the perfection Of the performance.
while it is lost in equal proportion, as il
IS imperfectly performed. Those men
who profess to love Cod, and seek to Gle.
vate human nature. can contend for a
style of Church Mu sic such as is to be
met with on every Sabbath. in more than
half our churches, is profession, and
practice. which l am Incapable Of recon
Cling. Such singing instead Of tending
to refinement, and moral elevation, is pos
lively degrading. and demoralizing. But
it is claimed by the anti understanding
singers, that any attempt alta correct sys.
tenn of musical execution. requires close
attention, and therefore the mind is drawn
off from the sentiment Of the words, and
the spirit Of devotion is lost. II seems
to me that the weight Of This objection
lies against Arthur. and his party, for i,
is not reasonable to suppose that it IL
more embarrassing. for man to perform
that which be understands, than to dc
that which be does not understand.
Thirdly, 1 farther argue for its correct
Der ormance, from the nature Of the hu
man mind. There is in every mind a
natural taste. which without cultivation
is at once pleased with the grand and the
beautiful, and nothing more than the bar
monious sound of musical chord; whils
nothing rough. distorted. uucomely, or
unharmonious, can interest or please. Il
is remarkable fact, that every feature ol
the plan of salvation. when properly IN
derstood, is attractive and approved by
the most cultivated taste. If all the Gle.
ments Of christianity were repulsive to
good taste, who could be led to embrace
lit2 1t lis evident, then, that no part OF il
should be so performed. or presented, as
to bs repulsive to good taste, or those
whom it proposes to win will be driven
from its embrace. These remarks apply
with no small force to the subject under
discussion; for how many persons arc
driven from the church Of God, by the
drawling, sono.ous, unharmoulousj re-
pulsive, singing, which is weekly practic'
ed in many cong regations. Now il it be
CONSIDERED wrong to endeavor to please
the mind, for the purpose Of leading it tc
Christ, why then. il follows, that yor
must make al religious exercises as re
pugnant as possible. Such men il they
would carry out their Own theory, woult
employ the most repulsvs ministers to b'
had, and pray in the most repulsive man
ncr, and sing in such manner as e
make it intolerable. even 10 savage
Now if il be said lhs: this is not the tru'
method ofpresentiug the subjec. Of relig
, ion, then it follows that it should be don't
in the most inviting manner. and singing
in my opipioui is not to form the sxcep
tion, hence my plea fol It's correct perfOr
mance.aatg .sa. ,af'ss,3U "a -
propose in my next to answer lh'
third question. 'f 'FlNDEA' 8
How Large Is OnE Army!
W. III =: canotor WilaonJs f0u rn