, 1865-11-14
METHODISM IND ITSIC.
Bishop Simpson on Congregational
Singing. Organ Cbotrx, x1arpss Etc.

AsiAhoP simpson on congregational
Singing. Organ Chotrx, x1arps, Etc.
The United Methodist Choirs, WHOSE first
} annual meeting was held In New York. Iast
year, have been holding their second conyen-
ton ut the Enlna Church, PhiladclphIa,
Blaop Simpson presiding. The main object
ol tbis society Is to promote congregational
singing in churches, In accordance with the
plan adopted by the General Conference con-
cerning church music. On the opening Of the
Convention, lust Tuesday, Bishop Simpson
said:
Ladies and gentlemen Of the choirs Of this
city and other places, I have been requested
by the committee Of arrangements to make
some opening remarks to you, md, allow nc
to say,-First, I desire to express my person
al happiness at being present at this first
meeting 1 ofthe association, having for ita OBJ
Jet the improvement Of church music I re-
joiee at the establishment Of such an assoctl-
tlon, because great good may ba done By in
thought
/ regret that We do not meet many aoru
adjoining cities tonight, and I can only a.
citing election Will be held tomorrow In two
adjoining States, and there nre singers who
have q taste Tor the music Of the ballot-box
as well as for that of the choir; and, no
doubt, they win bo present from time to time
before the convention adjourns. I need not
| portant part Of divine service. Prayer md
preaching Of the Word have pre.eminence
over It, because these are the agancies for the
! converting Of the world.
The taste and Judgment Of the Church, and
/ the divine sanction, has authorized copgzega-
tioual singing: It Il impossible to teu wien
| the human golce was tuned to the melody Of
| sopgs+ When Adam found hfmse surrounded
| by Warblers In tho Garden Of Eden, he very
probably found himself unconzciously joining
| in the universal praise to God.
can hardly help fancying TINT when Adam
and Eve found themselves in the Garden Of
Eden, surrounded By the munilcent bounties
Of Divine favor, they nneonsclously Joined In
hymn Of praise to Him who placed thcm
there. We hear nothing Of music Or singing,
Adam, when we hear of one who wa used to
handling the harp What was the cons!ruc-
tfon OF that harp We know not, but VIC do
know that It was used In pralsins God.
1--we come to the crossing Of The Red Sea,
Ta na Mssm lsad'ag The hosts Of Isr4el III j.
who has triumphed gloriously.' 1 haye no
idea that was the first song OF praise. :Wher'
had the umbrel been, and how could sae
have led the great congregation II tney 1sa 1sa
not been used to sfngings The poetry o. eaa
Take, for instance, tie song Of Moses n The
| temple service, the men sinsefS, hau lhe
women singers respond to all the stfnged IN
strumeHfs which Wcre Used III sAe P1Alse OF
Cn,3 HI n,ust be m indifferent reader Of
fhe Psalms who does not and tntcrsperscd
4h-onoh th+m commands TO praise God.
ReTone Chrfzt entered the Garden Of Olives
u - sniS hts disciples sung q hymn Panl and
cnas - "a sfeued In the stocks, and We hear
td.n nnas sIrcfng together at night, sours ar
Laeies .nsn n f;od. The Apostles direct singing
orshIn. We are instructed to sfnp nntn
Ea, - ! IN psalms and hymns and spiritual sonrg-
What thoughts hare we Of heaven not con.
nccted with rnusIcs We hear Of the golden
harps, and the sound Of music as tha sound
Of many voices praiiug God. Thus which
ever way We look, we find music
Now II 1t be the met that It Is our duty to
sing to tho praise OF God, then all the people
should Join In singing. Iuever knew what Il
vas to sing Justify until was In Germany.
The minister never announces hymn the
hymns are hung upon the walls ana numbered,
aud nil the people sing from them. Men,
women and children sing with mouths wide
cpen. TheyFnake volume - music which
fIf1s the church and charms the hearers. rhe
SINGING Of the catly Methodist congregations
captivatcd many heaxc1s. There was time
when the easneatness Of this singing was dl-
mIuishel, and instead Of congregational sing
ing, choirs werc formed Of eight OF ten yoiecs.
and these were supposed to do all the sing
irg. . 49,:
to look up 10 the choir TO perform their psft
in the same way as they did to tho minister
to perform his Thare thnuld, be t1aIneI