The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1877-03-23
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wHxrLlSa WsVs March q.
EAtors Of the Register

~ WHALING, Wya.S MarchiA.
Hdators Of the Register: A
For some time have found articles IN
the morning papers relating to music
&c. At first these seemed TO De
by the. local editor. Next it became pam
thew were written with an Intention be-
yond that of furnishing news. 1t is now
plainly the object Of the writers 70
magnify the importance OF musically
educated chairs, and the necessity OF secur-
ing paid .vocalists in our churches. They
aim to make such parade OF musical
terms as shall bewilder the plain peo-
pie in, the pews and make them
feel themselves too Ignorant TO
sine in church. These articles
have been written, ! doubt not, by people
who are idle part of the time. In plan
ming for chance to earn q ew dollars
the have hit upon this subject, land hope
TO write the well-to-do in the churches
into the idea OF paying, in currency lof
their services. 1t is right to try TO exc
out a living. 1t is we'll enough for q
man or woman with superior musical
abilities and musical education to teach,
or plsy, or sing for money. But THIS
does not apply to all times. 1t does not
apply to all with musical gifts. AS mnch
time of the Clergyman must be occupied
in preparing fresh sermons, suitable Tor
to chan ging circumstances; as he must be
ALWAYS present at church services; as he
must be at liberty to 60 at any time when
called upon through the week, by day or
by MIG bit, to visit the sick, to bury the
dead, TO console the afflicted, or to ad-
wise the distressed, it is right to expect
and receive temporal support from those
to whom he ministers in spiritual Things.
The sections work is OF nature, such
that much of il must DO done through
the week. The kind of work and the
time occupied render it proper that the
sexton should be paid for his labor.
Here the matter of wages (csll 1T salary
if tho word suits any beIter) should end.
1t is the duty of each member of the
church to be present regularly (unless
providentlally detained) at the services
held from time 10 time. 1t Is the duty
of each person present to listen to the
scriptures and sermon, to unite IN
reverent manner in the prayers and to
ION in the singing. 1t is the duty OF
each one to assist in the services, &C
cording to the gifts bestowed by the
Creator. If one man can lead in prayer
to the edifcation of his brethren, he
should do 80 when called upon. If any
other Christian caa play on the
organ with moderate skill, or
another can excel on the instrument,
they should gladly assist IN the worship
in Gods house. II has pleased the Lord
to give a good voice to lady, and she
should not refuse to sing the praises OF
her Creator. If q gentleman has a good
voice, cultivated ear and skill In
managing the voices OF others, he should
Re willing to help the cause OF religion
in that way. The singing in church is
not designed for the entertainments the
pew holders. 1t is not contrivsnce for
filing the pockets of the choir. It's an
act OF worship wherein each heart and
voice should be lifted up in thanksgiving.
Those who are thus devoutly engaged,
will not find fault with the style or fin
lsh of the musical efforts.
Ifany one, not Christian, is willing
to 90 to church and sing or play, he Is
simply doing his duty in going to the
house of God on the Sabbath. lie is
making himself useful in good cause.
He is likely to make acquaintance and
friends among the bes. citizens in the
community, and he Is placing himself
where he may hope to receive cool 10
his soul.
Ii one man should be paid for singing
ON the Sabbath, why not another for
praying in the prayer meeting? If one
ought to be paid for leading the choir,
why not pay another for his services ss
class leader2 Ii one lady should be paid
for singing in the choir, whynot pay an
other Tor teaching in the Sabbath School.
Some may say musical education Is ex-
pensive. Granted. so is any education.
1t requires study, the purchase OF books,
time, care, visits, prayer and anxious
hours TO teach u class in Sabbath School.
What would be thought OF u vestryman
or trustee who would not look after the
affairs of n church without being paid Il
stipulated price? What would DO
thought of man who would not walk
through the aisles to show stranger to
a seat, or of one who would refuse to
take up the collection, unless allowed a
commission? What would be thought
of the elder who would want IL charge
- dollars u year for attending meet
ings of the session?
1t requires time, energy, patience, piety,
self-denial, executive ability, and many
other gifts and grsccs to suPcrrntend
Sabbath school well, but who ever heard
of an able bodied NAH asking or receiving
wages for such work? Musical culture
may be good for those whe like it. but
many a church has prospered without 1t,
and many another church has been Grip
pied with too much of the article.
VOICE FROM THE PEW.