Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1864-09-30
Ginging-Old Psalm Tunes.

Q
To forward the favorable reception OF
such tunes. two facts as to their original
intention must be practically borne in
mind: They were sung faster than we
usually sing them-and, what is better,
nv a greater number Of voices. 1t is
great mistake to suppose that old tunes
should be sung in heavy or drawing
style. Our foreiathers in the church
were cheerful Christians. A psalm OF a
dozen verses was but short TO them
Hence. as well as from other circumstan-
ces, it is clear that they sang in quick
err and livelier manner than is mostly
conjectured.
The sOld Hundredth' tune is made
dirge in our days, but in theirs it was
Joyous and animating canticle. In. like
manner York tune which is shelved
among the dull and obsolete, was, little
more than century ago, the liveliest
and most popular tune OF the entire
kingdom. Bui to hear old tunes to ad-
vantage, they must be sung in old style {;
not only must they be sung with decent
gravity and cheerful sanctity, but by
masses of people, by multitude OF
voices, "by all the people together" as
the original directions state. SIX thouSN
and voices were wont to be heard al st.
PauTs Cross. "Three or four thousand
singing at time in a Church in this
CITY is bat a triAe," said the excellent
Roger Ascham, in a letter from Angus
burgh, dated May 18th, 1851.
A correspondent of the New York
Observer, describing the worship at All
Saints Church, London, says:
II must express my delight with the
singing of the hymns at this service
The words were evangelical and sweet
The tunes were familiar, and the time
was so rapid and inspiring that was
fascinated. They sang six or eight
verses, and | wished there had been
twenty-six. There were no interl1des.
Tue organ was heard only as an accom-
paniment. | think we have much TO
learn about sacred song. We kill the
elasticity of our songs by drawing
style of singing.
In many of our churches the hymn is
an infction, whereas it should be a re-
freshment and joy. The organist must
show off his skill, and the slow move
ment of the song sometimes makes one
yawn. A capital reform will be accom-
plished when we suppress the interludes,
or limit them TO ten seconds, aud then
rouse ourselves to rapid, cheerful songs
of praise. Mr.. Surgeons congregation
did not sing fast enough tie satisfy him
the Sabbath | was there, and he begged
them to sing faster, a reques! which seN
cured great improvement in the next
hymn. 1t is an interesting fact that the
idea of m ire rapid singing is everywhere
prevalent and growing in England, and
that few years promise to secure the
greatest Improvement in the spirit and
pleasure of public parties"
The following passage from that
quaint old divine, Thomas Fuller, may
meet with the case OF those who excuse
themselves from participating in the ser
vice of song in the house of God, on the
ground Of not having tuneful voice as
they could wish
"Lord, my voice by nature is harsh
and untunable, and ii is in vain to lavish
any art to better it. Can my singing Of
psalms be pleasing to thy ears which Is
unpleasant TO my own? Yet though
cannot chant with the nightingale, Of
chirp with the blackbird, | would rathe
chatter with the swallow-yea, rattle
croak with the raven than be altogethe
silent. Hadst ihou given me a bette
voice would have praised thee with
better voice. Now what my music lack
in sweetness let it have in sense, singin
praises with understanding. Yea, LORD
create in me new heart, (herein t
make melody,) and l will be contente
with my old voice, until in due time, bC
ing admitted into the choir Of heaven,
have another, more harmonious, besow
ed upon me-
THE END OF THE WAR.-We ar
asked fifty times a day, more or les
when we think the war will end As W