The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-04-02
60 =
Chureh Music.

Mn. EDITOR: 1t is very generally admit
ted that The singing in our churches isa very
important part Of divine service. Not one of
the exercises of the Sabbath will more inter
est an intelligent congregation than the sing
ing Other things being equal, where the
best singing is there will be the fullest atten-
dance. The officiating pastors may be equal
ly learned and eloquent in their sermons, they
may be equally gifted in prayer, but the
church that has the best choir and the best
music will in the end gain upon the other
II was The motto OF a somewhat celebrated
man that whatever is "worth doing at all, Is
worth doing we'll" Now is 1t worth while TO
have any musical performance in our church
es? Is il not better to follow the example of
that very respectable class OF community, who
allure flowers and feathers, music and militia
~ service, and cling 10 the butternut colored
coat and broad brim? Then this would be a
drab eolored creation, indeed, not rosy tint
or line of beauty to gladden. the eye, or sin
gle melody or harmony to gladden. the ear
II, however. it's thought better not to follow
such an example, then the rule applies to have
IS good music in our churches as possible I'M
der the circumstances. Not every church
and congregation are able TO secure the SER
vices Of professors and first class talent at
high salaries, nor is il desirable but should
they not secure such talent as may be easily
obtained? This train of thought was induced
BY my attendance at two different churches
last Sabbath, but few rods apart, upon the
same street. At one of these churches the
music was excellent; at the other it was simp-
ly horrid. / think that all who took part in
the performance, must have been aware that
one of the old familiar tunes which was sung
by the congregation, was literally eGecuted.-
Ifany one was not aware of it at the time he
ought not to take part 10 the exercise, for he
must be Of that class
THAT hath no music in himself
Nor is moved with concord of sweet sounds"
There is no objection to congregational
singing-but there is great objection to the
way congregations sometimes sing Who was
to blame for the bad singing? No one in par
ticular, but the ,ehoLe congregation, are in
fault. Would they be satisfied witha minister
who had never educated himself, who had news
erstudied theology, and who did not study the
Scriptures, or make any preparation for his
sermons? Singing is as much religious ex-
ercise as preaching; yet there were scores who
took part in that singing, who never had any
musical education-who have no musical taste,
and who do not sing from one week 10 another
only in the public performance on Sundays
The singing in such cases reminds one of an
album quilt, as the old fashioned sewing cir
Gle used TO call ia square each made by
different persons, and set together to make a
whole. The organ none place performs in
one time, party in one corner OF the house
in another, and so on throughout the house,
different parties have different time while exc
cutting the same tune but the effect is nei-
Their useful, ornamental nor pleasing
Certainly an exercise that holds so impor-
-tant place in religious service, should be
performed in an acceptable manner; accepta-
BILE to the performers and hearers, and ac-
ceptable to God, whose praises are being
sung. To have a choir or club sing well, they
must be in constant practice, even if they are
educated musicians; how much more should
the congregation rehearse which would take
part in singing the praises OF the Great Jeho-
yah. HEAnER.