The Morgantown monitor. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1863-1864, 1863-11-07
METHODIST SINGING AND METH
ODIST CHoIRS IN MORGANTOWN.

Messrs. Ed;tors:-In looking into
the different forms of the yarious re-
ligious denominations, and attending
upon their services, it is very Datu-
raj inquiry and subject Of remark as
to ,chich has the better singing. Sing
ing is, or should be-, a very important
item in the forms of public worship,
aud as such, it should be rendered as
effective and perfect as possible.
My object is not to inquire which
of the denominations in Morgantown
excel in singing, but, in very
humble, manner, to offer few
criticisms, and make q few sugges-
tions for the Methodist choir in this
place. 1t is fact to be regretted, l
think, that in so large denomina-
ton, aud possessing SO large sing
ing force, the singing should be inte-
rior to others, and be made subj
of remark, justly too, by them.
AS l am not an official member Of
that denomination, and, therefore,
have no opportunity of laying it be-
fore that body, | select this as the
only means by which | can be heard
on the subject.
l do not think that any dehcien-
cies existing in the singing of the
Methodist choir are justly chargable
to its leader, or any individual mem
Der; nor is it either for want of capa-
city. The one great palpable fault
the only falkland the one which
every stranger will point out to you
is that the singing in this denomina-
ton is not sufficiently mode'nized to
suit the spirit and tastes of the
present day. If it is desired that
this part Of the public worship sho d
have its full and proper effect, GER
tainly the. only way in which it can
be accomplished is to conduct it in
such manner rs will be pleasing to
the ears aud tastes of these who hear.
There was time when Singh with
out the accompaniment of an lnstru-
ment was thought the best. And
there was another time when rat
Ting tune with pebbles in a sack,
was thought to be good music. But
the tastes and condition of human
kind have undergone great change
since those days, aud this mode Of
worship has been brought up to suit
this change. We now think it meet
to ''praise the Lord with harp; sing
"unto him with the psaltery and an
instrument of ten strings; sing un-
"to him new song; play skllfully
" with loud noise. -
So it must be; our singing must
be cultivated in proportion to our ad-
vancement and our refinement Of
taste.
It has been but short time since
there was violent opposition made by
two or. three members of the Metho-
dist church, to the introduction of an
instrument ia the choir. | have said
this opposition was made by two or
three members. 1t is seldom you
can find more thas that number in a
modern day congregation whose
tastes would exclude snch an addition
to singing. You have never, ven
ture to assert, heard any such objec-
tons urged by man or woman of
good education, and of refined and
cultivated tastes. Those DIRECTORS
were little behind the modern
school, but now that they have been
initiated, we have no doubt they Of
ten feel inspired under the new order
Of things. So it will be in regard to
any future improvements, there will
be few whose tactics have not
caught up with the times, and they
will call any departure from the old
standard, a modern sacrilege, but
will suddenly find themselves highly
pleased with the new order.
Now, what is it that is needed to
modernize the choir? | think | can
point ont such improvements as will,
after being adopted, meet with no OBJ
iections.
The first great change, and enc
without which nothing can be effec-
ted, is a transfer Of the choir from
their present a,uksoard position to the
gallery Of TIE Church. The absolute
necessity of this change is we'll un-
dersteod by the choir, and will ap-
noor 70 ouo.p 49, ~ - ,nJ oreko ~ \ @