New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-05-05
The Singing Reform.

10 hs Ednor o. Inc " I. ITiDhnH
SIRE Selecting my text from tho lxyth Psalm,
Let the people praise thee God yea LEI all he people praia1
thee propose treat in the present article Of the dgen-
eacy of church music tho evils resulting that decline
and the which have recently been taken to remedy
those evils.
The art Of singing haowed as by its religious associs
TONS has ever been identified with the moral Advancement u
mankind and consequently with the public weare-ag
in Greece, whose people degenerated the moment the
character their changed from the religious an4
patriotic to the sentimental and centious Therefore ID
Egypt the musical education Of the young was enoned oy
law aud the Emperor Charemagne who introduced public
snging-schoos into France and Germany esteemed them
such Importance give them his personal supervision
The first Christians sang hymns in alternate chors and
Clemens Romanus aerward established the custom Of having
precenor lead the assembly but the practice OF
in Latin finally excluded the people from participating IN .o
portion the service Matters have been growing from bAl
snce and the fact is apparent that In thu
progress music considered in its higher and hoier a
pect has kept pace with the inferior arts The muscd
festival present day dwindes nsgnfcance befo
that the dedication OF Soomon Temple and comparsoe
and as performed" by fashionable choir who rend
them the Greek Rh9psodss did Homer1wth incohersn
nineteenth century In ancient times the singer was
rates. possessing divine inspiration. but the sugea
eting what he considers its symptoms Such singing ha
Is not worship but is simply playing fantastic tricks before
high heayen; and theological writer says the most AMUSING
sight he ever witnessed was the imitation native
of professional choir after hearing one for the first time
those who him in the Opera six days In the week.
wOrspng God by contract the seventh And absurd -
might ii would obviously be proper TO employ Al
elocutionist TO do praying for then we might 80
Amen" to the sentiments ueredi whereas under the
present system Of ChurchSilging. We listen like so many
statues to the music thinking not Of the God intended
praise but of the artistic style which that praise rendered.
When the singing is finished the choir consider their part
worship and drawing the curtain between them ana
the proceed TO the time In manner more
agreeable TO themselves than to their Maker
AT early period, the word music only applied TO the
art OF affecting the soul by tones and music OF he most &
waited description has been universally appreciated tnse
the best performances in other arts for the simple reason hA
addressed the feelings and feeling the same hrougous
the world.
test emotions Of the SOU is apparent that this result cae
only be attained by eyyng the practice OF Congregations
singing with many voices but with heart The advocates
that draws into the ohurc
ard that sufficient recommendation for It, 10 this repk
churches intended for the worship God and toee
who visit them simply because they can hear Opera music
there for nothing would lessen their responsibility by staying
away altogether.
work of restoring congregational singing Mr. q
Lanpher OF the Fultont Church. three enste
heart and hand and the which has attended his "a
forts is nttested by the Devotional Singing Meetings heo
Monday evenings In the Collegiate Church corner OF L
fayette place and Fourth st. The leader for each evening
selected prominent chOters and the attenb
has been encourage the hope that oae
churches will Join this movement for the accommodation 81
the mutitndes who will readily avail themselves Of an oppo
tuniy spend evening in so pleasant and profitable
Time is the great friend OF Truth and while those reforms
possessing merely temporal interest have persisted with the
authors those Unidentified with the spiritual advancement
may be rodden d0rn but never be trodden out
old Reformation merely drove Heesy from the pulpit ano
his Reformation drive from the choir before oos
Church will be rid of altogether