The New York herald., 1869-02-15
CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOUR.

Rev. DIR. Pullman OH "Church Music.o
very interesting lecture, rather than q sermon,
was delivered last night by the Rev. ]. M. Pullman,
of the Church Of Our Saviour (Universalist),
Thirty-hfth street, near Sixth avenue, the
audience however, being rather small This
was the first OF a series to be delivered
during Lent. and the subject under con-
sideration was "Sacred Musc.n The reverend
fifteenth verses inclusive OF the fourteenth chapter
Of First Corinthians, which read as folows:
whether pipe or harp except they give distinction
in the sounds how shall 1t be known what Is pped or
afor il the trumpet give nm uncertain sound, who
shall prepare himself to the batte9
$50 likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue
wnat is spokenq for We shall speak into the air.
'There are, 1t may be, so many kinds Of voices In
the world and none OF them is without sgnifica-
ton.
sTherefere, II know not the meaning of the voice
shall be unto him that speaketn barbarian, and
seven SO We, for as much as ye are jealous Of
spiritual gifts seek that ye may excel to the edying
Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown
!. tongue pray that he may interpret
'For II pray in ap unknown tongue my spirit
prayeth, but my understanding 10 unfruthfhl.
"What is 1t, thenf rsTill pray with the spirit and
win pray with the understanding also win sing
with the spirit, and win sing with the understand
fhe speaker commenced by saying that it was I'm
possible for US, surrounded as we are by complex
reached high degree OF perfection, to understand
how could be that IN past ages the art OF music
we must look beyond the creation OF man. There
the ripping music OF the sea, the rustic Of the
created create I Music il Not the accident. It is the ntisra
part OF nature. II nature were 10 be struck dumb
man would soon sink INTO state OF idiocy. We
music the world has always been full.
Paradise is filled with the music OF
music musical art has done is TO elaborate and arrange, %
The first musical instruments were shells and reeds
Strnged instruments were suggested by the twang
OF bowstrlng. At first all stringed instruments
were played by striking the chords with the fingers;
then with bones, as the ducimer; then the bow was
board, as in the piano AS the art Of music advanced
It was in different ways adapted 10 sacred themes.
The first song Of praise found in the Bible
ing with the first verse, as iollows:-'sThsn
sang Moses and the children OF Israel this song, y
fourth Chapter OF Genesis, twenfy.,rst yerse-"And
his brothers. name was Jubal; he the father or
all such as handle the harp and orran." In Gene
not allowing him to send him forth with music In
Genesis also have the first time OF dancing being
wsoy GscouDtenanced in The eensh century was no Sy
Christians. Rams horns-rrobably made Of silver
played conspicuous part IN the taking
same word is translated prophet, poet and md
musician. Music was formerly held to be a gift OF
GOD. In FIRST samuel we nrst near OF the respon-
sive chant. In the time Of solomon music had
reached high state OF perfection, but 1t was proba
bly, more In quantity than quality The allusous to
songs In the Old Testament are many and slgnin-
cant. There is probably no more touching passage
In Jewish history than where the Jewish naidens
bewail their captivity In song on the banks OF the
river Euphrates To follow the speaker through the
history OF music from the time OF Christ, In all It's
steps OF advancement, to the present time would
cupy more space than Is allow ed In article OF this
kind but the subject Is fraught with interest and
ably handled, particularly that portion OF 1t which
had reference to the music In vogue In the churches
OF the present day some OF which he characterized
as artistic, but not devotional. Those churches
whose service centres in the music are not those
whose members exhibit the highest degree OF
Christian virtue. The music or the past lew years
has only been calculated to excite admirat0n--not
devotion. There are many songs not in hymn
books that are sacred, and many IN hymn books
that should not be there. He would Ill his choir
with singers on one condition, and that was that
they should sing only devotional hymns. The best
use OF music Is when It Raises hymns OF praise from
hearts filed with alteration.