The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1874-07-01

quaintance with the topography of the book
tune and indexes, will soon relieve all pei
plexity. 1t is gratifying to me even, thoug
somewhat of an iconoclast, to see Old Hun
dred first, and appropriately set to the hun
dredth Psalm.
4. The selection of tunes, that which vii
make the book useful and acceptable, is ad
mirable, and according to the taste and de
mands of our Church. OF the 3l0 tunes,
have seen all except half dozen, or dOzer
at most, and heard or sung all except per
haps twenty or thirty. 1t is emphaticallJ
collection of old tunes-tunes approved bJ
the Church, some of which (of but little mu
sical merit are endeared by "precious re-
collections or venerable associations" many
of which have stood the test of hard service
for thirty years or more, and are found in
every collection that seeks sale and popular
ity, and others newsr but not new) that have
found their wsy isto use and afectionate re-
gard, despite the a-len older people have
stationed, to prevent the ingresS of worldly
or "operatc" musicinto the camp of Psalms
By the way, let me remark parenthetl-
cally: Is it not amusing to hear the whole
sale censure of the introduction of choice
gems from the works of the masters, from
oratorio or opera, as frivolous, distasteful,
and irreverent, coming from lips that sing
with great satisfaction, "Jesus l my cross
have taken" to one of Mozart's operatic airs,
Disciple, p. 308@ or "SaviOur, visit thy
plantation" set to one of the infdel Jean
Jacques Rosseau's amorou8 songs, Greenville,
p. 299D
Among the first, those ancient and un-
grammatical melodies that have borne the
devotions of our grand-fatherS and grand
mothers heavenward, that are ballowed by
tenderest associations, around which cluster
precious memories of saints in glory, which
seem to have fragrance Of godliness, fla
vor of deep old-fashioned piety, that newer
tunes lack, may be found, Windham, p. 30 /;
Forest, p. Sc; Penitent, p. SO; Pisgah, p.
113; (old tune to "When l can read my til
tie clear,") Chelmsford, p. 129; Greenuille,
1877; (old tune to Amazing grace how sweet
the sound"); Scion, p. III; (the old New
Britain, set in old books aud in old churches
to "There is a fountain filled with blood, y
Salvation, p. 213; (old tune to "Come hum
BILE sinner in whose breast, kentucky, p.
24O; Ayzes6ury, p. 258; Hallely'ah, p. 300;
(old tune to Come ye sinners poor and
wretched,') F0unt, p. 3Ol; Bartimeus, p.
294; Protection, p. 335; Is How firm fOun-
dation, De Fleury, p. 321; New Concord,
{" How happy are they ZiOn's Pilgrim, p.
341; lin songs of sublime alteration and
praise, and Kiag~oOd, P. BAT; ("Lo, on a
narrow neck of lapd.'O Such an array of
old time tunes must gladden. the hearts of
Gods aged saints in our fold. So many
cannot be found in any recent collection.
Some have been changed somewhat, for the
better musically, but after all, not only the
old tunes, but the old harmOnieS would have
better pleased the old folks. Some altered
tunes introduce some confusion, e. g. Forest
Penitent, Chelmsford, Kentucky, New Con.
cord, Bartimeus, and others, for some will
sing the old way and some the revised way
Heman" who plead for old tunes year ol
more ago, and more recently "Old Fogy,
may surely be satisfied with these. l woulC
not have one omitted. Indeed there are some
others hoped to see included. l am glaC
for the sake of some, whose taste cannot ad
mire, yet whose piety and worth are entitled
to sincere regard, that these tunes are in oul
book. A few of them are pleasing, solemn
and impressive; the majority valuable only
because venerable. / put them with Rouse
Psalms, precious from past associations, en-
dured from consideration for others, yet non,
the less ragged and open to criticism.
Among the second class, the yeomanry o
sacred song, may be found all the standard
tunes from English sources, from Mason
Hastings, Bradbury and others, and some o
German origin. Should give list of them
1 would almost have to transcribe the index
A few like Rockingham, Uxbridge, Hebron
Pilesgrove, ROLAND, Ward, Duke Street
Efingham, Gratitude, Retreat, Hamburg
Zephyr, Rest, Loving kindness, among tn
Long Metres, are very familiar in almos
every congregation. Some others, less sc
deserve just as truly the use and affection c
worshippers. Such are Luton, Missionar
Chant, Rothwell, Winchester, Park Stree
Ashwell, Mendon and Ames, all old tunes
me, but perhaps new to some.
M.G.Y.
RELIGIoUs LIFE.-Your true religious Iii