Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1875-07-01

In somewhat extended editorial experience,
we have had many occasions to speak Of the
earthly dscords that enter into our heavenly
harmones. The question Of Church Music re-
fuses to be settled. There are 30 many tastes
TO be consulted in 1t, it is go complicated with
economical questions, it 10 30 overloaded with
theories, ii presents 10 many difficulties OF ad-
mlnstration in its simplest forms, that church
may be accounted happy which can go on one
or two years without Il row or revolution.
Nothing seems to be learned by experience, as in
other departments OF human effort and enter
prise. Churches pass through musical cycles.
They begin, perhaps, with congregational singing;
then they rise into volunteer choir; that fades
ont, or rebels, and then comes In paid quar-
tette Of professional singers; then volunteer
chorus is added, then comes another revolution,
and the church goes back to congregational
singing from which point it starts on another
trip around the cycle. Over and over, and over
again, there are churches that do just this, are
doing it now, and promise to do it many times
more.
In the adjustment OF this matter-if it shall
ever be sdjusted-there are certain facts which
must be taken into consideration. First, that
music in city church can never be managed ss
it is in country church. The popular singing
4 school in the country, where amusements are
few, is practicable thing. In the city, where
life is full, especially at that season Of the year
when rehearsals are practicable, it is next TO i'm
possible to get people together for sufficient
city congregation, is one Of the most difficult
things to maintain that can be imagined. The
| rehearsals always come III tho evening, when
everybody is tired Or engaged and without re-
hearsals, even tolerable singing is not possible.
| Congregational singing without reIearsals is
| worse than that Of the volunteer choir. II an
| attempt is made to unite volunteer chorus with
| paid quartette it is soon ascertained that the
more imperfectly trained voices are added to pro-
| fessionally trained voices the more liz the quail
ty Of the music deprecated, though the vol
ume ;of sound may be enlarged The grand,
practical difficulty is that all non-professional
| singers in city church have no time to practice
| their art together. The business engagements
ments OF tho women, are such ~ TO render the
necessary rehearsas utterly impracticable.
| This ought not 80 to be, perhaps but 1t is 80,
and it is one of those established facts that
must be looked squarely in the face, in any COM
petent handling OF the question. Some churches
| have learned that the best way for them to
do is to put their hands in their pocket, and
bring out money enough to pay for their music,
for it. Undoubtedly these churches get along
| with the least difficulty, and have the best music.
| We hear great deal about the congregational
singing in Mr.. Beechers church, but Mr.. Beech
circumstances. In the first place, it has a large
and well played organ, that is capable Of leading,
and amost Of drowning, all the VOICES OF the
house. In the second place. it has body OF
professional singers, and, i'll the third place, it
gives certain seat to every volunteer singer in
the choir, in church where getting seat is a
difficult matter, With such leading, any con-
gregation can sing. With such motive, any
choir can be steadily filled and maintained Mr..
Beecher's church cannot be mentioned in any
general discussion OF the matter.
We could get along well enough IL we had
not 30 many theories to adjust. ''Lot the peo-
pie praise thee" say the advocates OF volun-
teer, or congregational singing. This hiring
people to sing our praises is very.offensve to
many. The theory is well enough, or would
be, il the people would sing, or would take
the pains to learn and rehearse; but they do
not. Volunteer choirs would be well enough
If they would observe the conditions necessary
to excellence in their performances but they
will not. There is another theory, and, for the
life Of US, We cannot sec the flaw In 1t, viz
that it Ia just as legitimite to hire band OF
professional singers to lead us in our praise,
NJ it is 10 hire band OF professional men to
lead us in our prayers. Circumstances compel
: us to tho adoption of this theory, whether
We rebel against it or not and those churches
! that have settled down upon it haye the rare
privilege OF being at peace upon the question. -
Ur. L. ~. Holland Srrlbngr for June.