The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1874-06-10
DOTS BY THE WAY.
CAVE CITY, KY,
May 22d, 1874.

Editor Press a'ad Banner:
1 closed my last by arefercncc to
the churches Of Louisville.
Churches and school houses indi-
cate pretty well the character Of
the people. The public schools Of
the city are admirable, one of which
1 had the pleasure of attending, by
invitation, and was particularly
pleased with the system of teach
ing children. This is object teach
ing, beginning with the object, then
the word, and finally the letters OF
the word. The old system teaches
the alphabet-the letters first, and
letters mean nothing-convey no
idea to the mind of a child. Or
gans have come to be quite COM
mon in Methodist churches, and |
confess to not being pleased with
the extent of the innovation. l
heard the choir in Broadway church
sing a song-I reckon it was sacred
music-I couldn't tell, but it was
so we'll done, so artistic, that none
of the congregation could join
them; and the organ was grand,
deep toned, and solemn as the roar
ing of a lion. But give me, for
soIemnizing the mind and awaken
ing the Christian sympathies of
the heart, the good old Wesleyan
Mcthodistic style of congregational
singing. This is a distinctive
characteristic Of Methodism, so
haIlowcd in its associations, that l
trust it may not be run out Of the
church. l have no objections to
the choir leading but I don't like to
see them run away where nobody
can follow. By the way, a resolu-
ton was introduced into the Con-
ference requesting the Bishops, in
their Pastoral Address, to. discoun-
tenancc "opcratic singing' in the
congregations, which created some
spicy debating. DR.. Winfield of
Arkansas, said he didn't know
what was meant by operatic sing
| ing-that he had never been to an
opera, nor circus, nor theatre: he
didn't know whether they sung one
at a time, or two at a time, or three
at q time, but one thing be, did
know, that choirs ought to be made
to behave themsclves-to lead the
the singing and not to do it all: |
think We are becoming too ARTISTIC
in our church music for spiritual
devotion. One blast of old Metho'
distic congregational singing from
congregation warmed up with
vital godliness, would blow this
fashionable, artistic, stilted music
out of the window like straw from
i thrcsher. It is to be regretted
that so great a departure from time
honorcd custom has been allowed
in many congregations, and the
pastors should take it in hand, and
select themselves, such hymns al
the congregation can sing, lead by
a choir, and organ if you please
I should, before leaving Louis
Vile, say word about its admlra
BILE fire department. They have ; :
system of fire telcgraphy by which
Information is Immediately givcl
to the whole city Of a fire in an.
part of it, so that, by the alarm
bell, you can tell whether it is you
:: vicinity or not, and you need no
!, get up to enquire whore it is. Z
:: display of engines, and their work
ing, was made by order Of tn
Mayor, for the qualification of tn
Conference. In five minutes afte
J the alarm wasa zen, the engine
: -four of then )e on the ground
) the hose u1seeled, and sendinI!
: streams of water far above tn
! tops of houses. Now, farewell t
the hospitable and beautiful city 9
Louisville, Ma. 4, M, gs:.I@t
I paid a visit to the famed Man Mar :
= moth Cave, but do propose t