The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-06-22

IHE ABLE REPLY OF +. i. +. to the
exceptions taken by DR.. Dabney to the
use of the organ Cor other Instrument in
the worship of God, published by us two
weeks ago, appealed to the example of
David, and to the employment of the
harp and other musical instruments in
the temple worship of the Jews, as JUS
LITIGATION for the use of instrumental
music in our Christian worship. We do
not propose to enter upon discussion of
this subject, nor do we propose to make
any objection to the use of the organ in
our churches; but, for the sake of entire
accuracy in such discussion, we desire
to say that the example of the Jewish
worship (Which was undoubtedly, as "P.
L. P" says, with the sanction of God) is
not conclusive of the propriety of using
musical instruments in the Christian wor-
ship. 1t is very true that David says in
Psalm cl: praise him with the sound of
trumpet; praise him with the psaltery
and harp" but he adds, Praise him
with the timbrel and Dance" Now if
the authority of David can be plead for
the use Of the trumpet and harp, it must
be extended also to the accompaniment
of the sacred dance, which entered into
the worship of the Jews, as seen in the
case of Miriam (Ex. XIV: 2O); and Jep-
thah's daughter Judges XII: $40; and
Judith XIV: l2); and David q Sam. vi :
5-22). 1t is also stated on the authority
of the Mishna, that among the later Jews,
the dance was included among the reli-
gious festivities of the Feast of Taber-
nacles. So in Judges xxi: 1920, the
dances of the virgins of Shiloh were I'M
doubtedly part of religious festivity.
The appeal to the Jewish worship
proves too much. That worship was es-
sentially, as compared with the simplicity
of the Christian Church, a sensuous wor-
ship. 1t consisted largely in forms and
ritual, and was associated with the splen-
doris of the temple, with priestly vest
ments, and with liturgical services. The
genius of the new dispensation, in bold
contrast to all this, was extreme sim.
plicity. Christ and the apostles framed
the new worship on the model of the syn
agogue, not on that of the temple; the tenn
pie was done away with. There was no
instrumental music in the early Church.
1t is proper to say this much in con-
nection with the consideration of how
much we are entitled to lean on the prac-
tice of the Jewish Church as an argument
tor the use of instrumental music in the
more spiritual worship Of the Church for
whom the temple is destroyed, and whose
ministry no longer constitute priestly
order
The argument for instrumental music
in the Christian Church must be rested
on other grounds 1t must be rested
Off anywhere) on considerations of expe-
diency, and its entire harmony with the
spirit of the gospel; and one point is very
obvious: whenever the music in a church
Is OF character to infringe on that sim
plicity which is the fundamental spirit of
the religion of Jesus Christ, then it be-
comes mischievous, and leads the wor-
shipper away from direct communion
with Heaven into the realm of Art, which
is of the earth, earthly, and which prac-
tees deception on the worshipper in
leading him to fancy that he is in COM
munion with God, when the ear is only
ravished by beautiful sounds. We are
persuaded that the operate performances
which one hears in some churches, while
they are very beautiful as musical sounds,
do not awaken any spiritual. emotions
They do not smack of the gospel. The
effect is similar to that Of the perfumed
air of hower-garden-all very pleasant,
but not the song of ransomed sinner.