The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-12-22
msPIRED PsALMODV VERSUS THE s'HOLY
OPERA.

TIE Presbyterinn Church Divided On q Ques-
tion Of Sacred Music.
From the New York Observer-High Old Pres
byterian.]
A one OF the results Of the late Presbyterian
Convention. held at Philadelphia, it has become
evident that the greatest obstacle to . union Of
oil the Presbyterian churches In this country 10
not difference In doctrine, but difference Of
public worship Of God. A portion Of the Re-
formed and Of the United Presbyterian churches
have maintained the ground that nothing may
be used in this part Of divine service but inspired
Scripture that the Psalms of David were given,
and have been preserved, for exclusive use in
Gods praise. There are those who hold that II
II sinful to sing any psalm that is not literal
translation Of one OF the Psalms Of David, or any
hymn, no matter how closely conformed In SEN
tment to the inspired Word or how elevated
IN Its spiritual character; and they refuse to
commune with any and every one who sings
such hymns. They are willing that Christians
with words Of their own choosing; nay, they
require in the ministry that extemporancous
prayers should be used in leading the devotions
of the assembled church. But when il comes to
praising God. no matter how full Of evangelical
Joy the heart may be, 1t is sin TO give expression
20 IL in one OF the beautiful and truly Scriptura
hymns which make up our church collections, or in
any other words than those which were In use
under the Jewish dispensation. Those holding
snch sentiments will not. of course, be willing to
form church union, on terms Of Christian equal.
lily and fellowship, with otheswho do not believe II
wrong TO praise God In the psalms and hymns Of
Watts and others equally conformed, in spirit and
sentiment, to the Holy Scriptures.
The exclusive views TO which we refer. and the
practice Of close communion TO which they lead
appear to intelligent Christians Of other comnu.
MONS to be absurd, and many will scarcely believe
that In this enlightened age Of the Church they
can be entertained al all. We refer 70 the matter
not TO cast reproach on our brethren, but for .
very different purpose.
In the convention ut Philadelphia there was
little time for the discussion of differences OF
opinion, and for this well, perhaps. as for
other reasons, no one attempted an argument In
favor Of the exclusive views on the subject OF
psalmody. Several who entertained these views
assumed that they were scrptural; but no one,
20 far an we remember even attempted 20 prove
that there was any Scrptural authority for taking
the exclusive ground. No one cited q single pas
sage TO show that nothing may be sung In the wor.
Word Of God is inspired. II s admitted on all
hands that the Psalms Of David were given for
perpetual use in the Church, and the practice OF
every branch Of the Church 10 In accordance with
this admission. But one, without the citation
Of Holy writ-the law and the testimony
admit that Il is sinful to siIg anything else 10
divine worship.
We have many highly respected readers among
the advocates Of an exclusive. inspired psalmody;
and our object in calling attentoh,to the subject
IL 70 say that We viii cheerfully publish article
Of suitable brevity setting forth the octrne that
'no.hing but dvinely inspired psalms may be sung
An the public worship Of God.' We DE- not want
an argument of differences, but the diyihe suthor.
ity-s Thus saith the Lord" The cnly point
that needs proof 10 this simple one-that nothing
else may be sung. VIII any one give MS the
proof
REV. SEwMAy HALL on THE HIGH SEAS.