Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1869-03-23

| Councils regularly and punctually, while sad to
relate, there are but few prominent Church
members who meet them, to instruct and en-
courage them Three of the ministers residing
in town REV. Mr. Busey, Harris and Miller)
have joined, and are not only working for, but
aoith US. Others we have reason to believe will
do so, and all we hope feel deep interest in
the cause, and frequently invoke God S blessing
upon our efforts, and may we not hope they
will very shortly give US their octire co-opera-
tion. We appeal to you, and to the Fathers
and mothers, and all members of the different
Churches in this community to join our ranks,
and assist, (by their influence and example) in
this great moral warfare, for We are trying to
throw the arm of protection around your sons,
and your nelghbors sons-come and help us
fight against the powers of darkness-don' t let
any trifing excuse prevent you-dont think
for moment that the good and vrtuous will
point the finger of scorn at you as you walk our
streets, and sneeringly remark-( merely be-
cause you are member) there goes reformed
TOPPER" NAY verily"-but wiW smile upon
you, and pray Heaven to assist you in your eff
fort to save men s souls from drunkard doom.
Will you come with us?
STAUNToN COUNCIL, No. Al.
For the Spectator.
Church Music.
IMessrs Editors: -
I remember a circumstance
which transpired some years ago In Baltimore.
| will relate it, ostensbly for the benefit of your
correspondent M. d. and such of your read
ers who believe in the power and effect OF con-
gregational singing, and would Danish the use
of choirs altogether from our church service.
When the Rev. Dr. Cookman, who was lost In
the illfated steamer President, officiated in one
of the Methodist Churches, he made much
boast of the efficiency of his excellent choir,
and frequently called it the right arm of the
service" Still some Of the old fogies of the
Church adhered to the good old tunes, and
congregational singing. In order to keep
peace In his flock, the good pastor decreed that
at least one congregational tune should be sung
during the service, and that to be led by the
choir. The rare effect of this combination L
shall not describe; but the result was disas-
trous. Two lines Of the hymn were given out,
and the name of old Dundee announced by
the preacher. The choir led off, and the con-
gregation tolloa0ed with anything but lock
step; for, when the choir had reached the
end Of the last line, the congregation had just
begun it. Such was the confusion worse con-
founded, y that the pastor waved his hand and
demanded cessation of chaos. ALI was 81
lence, when the good man thus addressed his
audience: rl
s'If the members of the choir will sing leetle
slower, and the brethren and sisters OF the con-
gregation sing leetle faster, L am OF opinion
that the music will be more acceptable to God
Almighty. iers las a..tte"
The congregation then continued the hymn
without the aid of the choir. There was any
thing but unity of utterance or soul-no har>
mony, and swaying to and fro, like the surges
of the ocean.
IN. Dr. acknowledges the grandeur OF the
Roman Catholic service, which depends mainly
on the muslc-yet, he must confess that the
sublime conceptions of the great masters would
be horribly mutilated if attempted by the con-
gregations. What would the brilliant and ef
fective masses of such composers as Handel,
Spohr, Beethoven and Mozart be when rem
dered by mixed crowd of all nations and all
languages? t -.
In most Protestant Churches the female
voices prevail in the congregations. Men are
not generally singers-or feel no inclination to-
make themselves conspicuous as vocalists
many of them sing the air two octaves below
the soprano voices-others below out like bull
calyes-and think they are doing good service
in the house of the Lord, if they can drown
melody and strangle harmony.
FsM Dr. asks-"What has made the Metho
dist Church the most extensive of all the Prot
estant Churches, and, next in order, the Bap-
tist and Presbyterian Churches q | answer
certainly not their congregational singing. The
Methodists used to all sing,' says the Doctor
Of music, as well as of physic. True, they used
tO-but they were camp-meetlng and revival
songs many of them being sanctihed secular
tunes, worn out at convivial gatherings Find
ing that this habit of stealing the music OF his
Satanic majesty would never do, they established
choirs and employed organlsts to help them
along and make the music more acceptable
If Methodists are all singers can sing IN the
wilderness, with their feet and their hands =
what would become of the singing master
whose business it is to train the voice and make
accomplished singers for the clsors whose sweet
harmony attracts so many to the house OF God
will agree with IN. Dr. so far as the Dox-
ology, sung to Martin Luther's grand "Old
Hundred is concerned, and allow that the
whole congregation should raise their united
voices in Gods praise; but, in all other res
poets, prefer that the minister should do all
the preaching and praying-the choir all the
singing, and the congregation all the listening,
Many years ago remember hearing an old
fashioned congregation sing an old fashioned
hymn, wherein the words We'll bow before
the Lord occurred. 1t was sultry summer
dav. and the windows of the Church were OPEN
The fat gentleman and the fat lady We'd with
the lean gentleman, and the lean lady in their
efforts to render correctly the old fugue music
''We'll bow-wow--wow; we'll bow-wow-
Well bow before the Lord
The dogs on the outside took up the strain,
and when the jealous congregation uttered the
Joined in which made the welkin ring. sa
NRECENDO