Middletown transcript., 1871-12-09
kar he .M.Lll.lelrn ztsnscrus.
MippLHrowx, DrL. Dee i,h, 1871,

MipnLEfoWN, DEL Dec. 4th, lcil,
Mn. Enron ii am indebted to your
courtesy for the publication of my brief,
and hurredly written notice Of MIR Philip
Phillips, aud his Evening of sacred
song at the Town Hall on Tuesday eve
ming last, in your issue Of the "a
Your own note, appended to my com
munication, was couchcd in terms that
could give no offence whatever, and
therefore the mote ebceriully supply in
this short article my opinion on slr
Phillips suggestion in regard TO reading
aloud the hymns by those who could not
sing and 10 answer, in a few words. the
question implied in the closing lines Of
your comment ON my views, dc.
First in reference to the /" sngges-
lion" OF Mr T. in regard to reading aloud
the hymns b, those who could not sing
| would respectfully say, yes-for If the
mhote congregation would unite in prais-
ing God, the number OF :" these who could
not sing" would be. us n general thing.
80 small that the united voices Of the 9th
ers would in grea, measure drown the
sound of the voices OF the tem who should
read aloud the, words SO that u, discard
need be apprehended, aud those who
might be 50 unfortunate as not to be able
10 sing, would have the privilege Of unit
ing in modes, tone in the words of praise
| imagine few. very few are TO be found
fwho. though perhaps not artistic but
can sing. and hence, am out and on. in
favor Of congregational praise. There
would be 10 :. mockery' in il as your i'm.
p,,,,sl question would lead us to infer. Il
might, to some extent ] .rant, BE- honely,
but i, would, trust, be honest. heartfelt
sincere, and truly. in this aspect of tht
question. be aerotioaai which Is the gran,
end, as conceive, Of this part Of pub
lie worship.
In the second place You aud | are u
no issue in regard to having tho singn,
Of "a meN orgaaised choir' in GU
churches. ilow-many WELL organize,
choirs do We find !. There may be gpa,
singers, as doubtless there are. in must u
the choirs We have listened To. bn, as
general thing. yon knon, as I do. lha
while there may be concord in the sing
ing. there is much discori. or want q
harmony among the singers. too often 70
the good of any church where choirs un
dertake to engineer that portion of tll
worship Of God. You know, as we'll us
know. that in many instances. choirs SC
lect tunes, that the members Of the con
grcgation are not acquainted with, aud :
the =. common praise which like " com
mon prayer" should be congregations
thing. is confined to some three or fou
northumberland you know. my dear Mr.
Editor, very we'll. that there are oftel
persons who sing in choirs. who make tn
whole thing Of singing, so far as they ar
concerned. +" more Of mockery." tha
a really devotional part Of public worship
Tho writer has often been mortiie
. during the solmn service Of prayer, mn
not only mortified, but. II you please. dis
gusted, at hearing the singers In q choi
turning over the leaves Of tune book nm
! whispering one TO another. whilc the 70.
J of the congregation werc engaged 10 stris
: ing TO worship God. Which l. tho grea,
!. or " mockery"--for parsons who cannc
sing, with rcvercnt voices and manncr /
TO read tho hymn. or lor persons Who cs
\ sing. 10 select. % choirs frequently Dc
j tunss which tho people cannot unite il
: and therefore 10 nmliify tho Ian Of com
nsn praise ID the congregation
The Protestant Episcopsl Church. {
! which the writer y q hunble membar.
!. bsr eescrsl convenliuu d 1689. undar II
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