The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1879-09-03

THE venerable DR.. Jeter, one Of the ed
itors of the Religious Herald Of this city,
continues in that journal his valuable and
interesting 'Recollections of Long Life"
The last number is headed Changes for
the Worse, in which (having noted in
previous number the Improvement in the
Baptist ministry and Worship he men
tons some things which are not improve
ments. "There is, he remarks, much
more knowledge and taste in the pulpit
than in former years, but as it has gained
in light and refinement, it has lost in
JUNCTION and pathos 1t imparts more in
struction, but produces less impression
E. There are no ministers . excepting
perhaps a few evangelists, who so en-
chain, impress, and move their audiences
as did Broaddus and Kerr. The ability
to move their hearers to tears was not
uncommon among the old preachers.
Formerly it was quite usual to see, what
is now rarely noticed, whole congrega-
ton melted into tears"
Speaking of the worship in the church
es, he remarks;
"There is now in the worship, especially of
city churches, more formality and less fervency
than there was in former times This change is
particularly observable in singing. Sixty years
ago this was a pleasing and popular part of
Christian worship. Almost everybody could
sing and many could set and lead the music
The tunes used were plain, but solemn and i'm
pressive; and the songs and hymns were evan
gelical, if they were not refined poetry. While
congregations were assembling, devout persons
would set tunes, and all would unite in singing
songs Perhaps half dozen hymns would be
sung before the commencement of the pulpit SER
vices. In this singing there was perfect free
dom. Any one, man or woman, might select
song and set a tune, with the assurance that all
present would unite in the singing. In the pub
lie worship the minister lined out the hymn,
At the close of the sermon it was not unusual
for several songs, appropriate to the discourse or
the occasion, to be sung with earnestness and
delight
Now, great change has taken place. Music
is conducted chiefly by choirs These are com
posed largely of the young and volatile, and led
by cheristers, some of whom are not even pro-
fesSorS of religion. The tendency is, more and
more, TO make church music matter of taste and
amusement rather than of devotion. The aim
is, in many cases, to exalt the choir rather than
the Redeemeri and the congregation are expect
ed simply to hear and praise the music The
Whether music has tendency to make those
who practice it irritable and perverse, cannot
say but certainly, within the range of nav
knowledge, no class of persons is so frequently
disturbed by iealousies, feuds and incurable d.
visions as are church choirs There are few
churches which have not been annoyed by the
bad temper and unpleasant Earring of their
choirs, Meanwhile, church music, in what is
commonly deemed its highest excellence, has
lost its power to move the hearts and consciences
of congregations. Many listen to it, and are
pleased with it, as a matter of taste; but even in
them it excites no devotional feelings, calls for
no penitential tears, and awakens no holy de-
sire, while the masses hear it with as much I'M
concern and with as little profit as they would
the pattering OF rain"
"The aim is, in many cases, to e1alt the
choir rather than the Redeemer:" is not
that well expressed? Its the whole case
in nutshell. The praise Of the congre-
cation is expended on the music prais-
ing the Redeemer is not the idea at all.
The object is to create beautiful note,
and then there is buzz of admiration, or
silent and sensuous enjoyment of the
happy feat Another excellent touch is
the concluding remark, that the masses
hear it with as little profit as they would
the patterioag Of rain.
DR.. Jeter has the following observations
on another point:
"In nothing has there been so striking
change among Baptists, within the range of my
observation, as in religious conversation We
have now much talk on topics, more or less
closely connected with religion. We hear much
of plans for usefulness the dongs of conYen
tons, the merit of preachers, the qualities of
books, the progress of churches, and the like
but we rarely hear a conversation on personal
piety That was the almost universal topic
among our fathers Wherever and whenever
they met, they conversed of their experiences
the dealings of God with their souls. Children
would listen with great interest to the accounts
they gave of their conversion, their doubts and
fears, their joys and hopes, and their conflicts
with temptation. The young were strongly i'm
pressed with the reality and Importance of rel-
zion by these unstudied but very sincere CON
yersations, which were not unfreqnently accom-
panied by tears.