The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1872-04-09
ST. JOINS EPISCOPAL cnURcH.

~. CONFIRMATION AT ST. PAUL's.
At st. PauPs Episcopal church on Sunday
night Bishop Johns preached, and admins
tered the rite of confirmation to fifteen can
didates-six ladies and nine gentlemen. DIR.
Mlnnegerode was present, but being indis-
posed the service was read by Rev. Dr.sPe-
terkin. Bishop, Johns preached an excellent
sermon before "a very large congregation.
| EMANUEL CHURCH.
At Emanuel church, in Henrico county
lRer. DIR. Norwood rector), Bishop Whittle
preached IN the morning and confirmed four
persons.
REVIVAL OF RELIGION
The interest in the series of religious
meetings held at the Clay-Street Methodist
church (Rey. Mr.. Petcrson's) is unabatcd.
On sunday Rev. Bishop Doggett and Rev.
Ut. Rosser preached to large congregations.
Four more persons were admitted to the
church on profession of filith in Christ
REV. MR.. BITING ON CHURCH MUSIC.
AT the Second Baptist church on Sunday
morning the first Sunday Use of splendid
new organ afforded the pastor, Rev. c. c.
Blttlng, an excellent opportunity of enlight-
enlnS his congregation on the subject of
church music. His text was the 10Th verse
of the 9TH chapter of Pauls Epistle to the
Ephesians: Speaking to yourselves in psalms
and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and
making melody in your heart to the Lord. .
lie introduced the subject by quoting the oft
heard remark that this is day of degeneracy,
| and that we are forgetting the faith of our
fathers. This remark had been made more
than once Ill connection with instrumental
| music in churches. 1t was true that many
| Christians, and particularly the Baptists, q
hundred years ago held very different views
| on many non-eSsentiais from those enter
tained by their descendants; but the speaker
| contended that the changes were for the bet
ter. In old times there was prejudice
against an educated ministry. because
of the worldly-nindedncss of many of
that class. Now it was understood
that the fault was not in education, but
in the need of a change of heart prior to
entering upon the work of preaching
the gospel. A hundred years ago the Bap-
fists OF Old England not only would not tole-
rate instrumental music, but would not allow
the singing of psalms and hymns even in
public worship. Singing was so often de-
based to vile purposes, and songs were SO
often OIL the lips OF the profane and ungodly,
that these good people went to al extreme,
and ahiured all singing and all songs. A
pious preacher Of that day wrote Il book en-
titled "The Breach Repaired" to show
that psalnl-singing was III some cases
| justitiahlc, aud after three years succeeded
in convincing his hearers that they ought
to sing a hymn OH communion days,
establishing his position BY the fact
that Christ and the apostles, after the sup
per- "sang hymn" before going "out into
the Mount of Olives" Several years later
he persuaded them to sing on days of thanks
giving, and it was not until fourteen years
later that the congregation agreed to sing
one hymn every Sunday. Now there is no
Baptist who condemns praising God with the
voice Us Il part of public worship. Instru-
mental music as an accompaniment to the
voices of the congregation met with great
| opposition even in the present century, but
now that opposition also is fast fading away.
Men now know that it is not the use but the
abuse that is Objectionable.
Mr.. Biting then showed that the use of
instruments was not forbidden by the word
of God, that instrumental music was rlrt
of the old Jewish form of worship, and con-
tended that so far from being improper, it
was, under proper restrictions, Il promoter
of devotional spirit, and cmincntly bccoEl-
ing the house Of God. But while taking this
view he condemned in no measured terms
the frirolity and worldliness which some
times creep into choirs, the transfer of opera
airs and theatrical adiuncts to the church,
the substitution of artistic music by Il trained
choir for congregational singing, and the en-
ploynlent of wicked men or women to do
the singing for pious people. He had seen
a devout Christian preaching in the pulpit
and an avowed infidel and corrupter of youth
at the head of the choir. He could not
| fCa n1,y In 30
church, however, there was no danger of
such result. The organ this day conse-
Grated to the service of God will be in charge
of gentleman Of acknowledged piety and IL
thorough Baptist, while the leadership Of
the choir, also, iss entrusted to a brother Ill
the church. In what he had said he was
sure that he reflected the views of the organ
ist, leader, and Of all of the members of the
choir. In conclusion he eXhorted all his
hearers to look upon the organ as an instru-
ment of praise to God, and if any had pre-
judiccs on the subject TO subject them to the
test of Gods word, and to yield to others the
merit of fconscientiousncss which they claimed
| for themselves.
The new organ at this church has been
placed in charge of Professor George o. Ro-
| binson, late Of Savannah, Ga.
| MIR. Robinson is distinguished as m,lsi-
clan, and has composed many popular pieces
| of sacred music, which are now sung all over
the country.
| ANNIVERSARY DISCOURSE BEFORE THE YOUNG
MEMS MISSIONARY SOCIETY.
The Rev. William T. Brantley, D. D., of
Baltimore, delivered the anniversary sermon
on Sunday night before the Young Mems
Missionary Society of the First Baptist
church. Societies from the other churches
were well represented, and united with this
Society in their celebration. The services
were introduced by the choir and congrega-
ton singing the hymn,
loft in danger, off In woe,
Onward, Christians onward CO."
The text was taken from l. Kings IL, = i:
| "Shew thysef man."
These were the dying words Of David, the
Royal King of Israel, addressed to his son
the youthful Solomon. The preacher sketched
most graphically the scene in which they were
uttered. What did David mean by this eX-
hortation? Surely not that he might per-
form the physical functions of man; but
| to show the finer, nobler attributes OF man-
| hood. What is it, then, in man that makes
man? i? The standards of manhood vary ac-
cording to the tastes of those who set them
lid. Some declare the pugilist, the soldier,
the philosopher, the highest specimens OF
manhood. But high as are these, there are
higher types of manhood than these. For
| the palm of physical excellence the brute
would compete with man; and even orutes
| possess something that is, or is very nearly,
ukin to reason. His religious suscep abMties
impart to the human being his highest glory