The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-06-01

CURED In successive meetings of the Irish
General Assembly in connection with
their debates and decisions on the use of
instruments in worship.
On one occasion, after heated and
protracted discussion, the Assembly re-
solved not to adjourn till vote was
taken. They sat during the whole en-
suing night. Next morning, when the
votes were counted, there was tie The
Moderator shrewdly remarked, ."Breth-
ren, if you insist on my giving a casting
vote to decide this matter l will do so !;
but [ think your wisest course would be
to let the whole subject lie over for a
year AS neither party knew how he
stood on the question they both agreed
to his suggestion.
Next year the opposers of instrumental
music had a majority, and passed orders
requiring that all churches using organs
or other instruments should remove them
from their houses of worship and discon-
tinue the use of them. One brother
earnestly protested, saying, II can prove
that instrumental music is sanctioned by
the authority of this General Assembly
The other side cried out, "No no. no. e"
He continued: 81 will prove it in this
way. The General Assembly authorizes
the use of the Psalms of David in. the
celebration of Gods worship. The
Psalms of David authorize the use of the
harp, organ and other instruments in di-
vine service. Therefore instrumental
music is sanctioned by the authority of
this Assembly"
A year later an inquiry was instituted
to find out if the order of the General
Assembly had been obeyed One brother
arose and responded: "Mr. Moderator
it is my agreeable duty through you to
inform this venerable court that the
church of which am minister has com
piled with its mandate. We have purge1
our building and congregation by putting
away the only instrument we have ever
used, which was a tuning fork"
DR.. Dabney, agreeing with DR.. Breck-
inridge, seems to hold that the musical
arrangements introduced into the service
of Gods house by David lacked the sane
tlon of divine inspiration and authority.
The other view is given by Edwards in
his history of Redemption. I will quote
few of his statements:
"God, by David, perfected the Jewish
worship, and added to it several new in
stitutions." The ordinances of David
are mentioned as of parallel validity
with those of Moses, Chron. xiii 1S."
"Thus David, as well as Moses, was made
like to Christ the son of David, in this
respect, that by him God gave a new &C.
clesiastical establishment and new insti-
tutlons of worship. David did not only
add to the institutions of Moses, but by
those additions he has abolished some of
the old institutions of Moses that had
been in force till that time
David's position was intermediate be-
tween that of Moses and Christ. He
was the harpist and inspired Psalmist of
Israel, combining in the new Institutes of
worship which he established, vocal and
instrumental music. He appointed both
singers and players on instruments for
the service of song in the house of the
Lord
The shepherd king, melodious singer sweet.
The royal psalmist of the Hebrew race,
And sacred poet of the Christian world
The universal church of God on earth
With touch more skillful, tuneful, sweet and
strong
Than tabled orpheus gave his sounding Tyre,
| - I'm nio P anu sIralns oil music burst
Upon the listening, eager ravished ear,
That angels might have heard with rapt delight.
Midway between the gospel and the law,
Moses past, Christ that was to come.
He celebrated Horeb and its scenes,
The deeds and glories of former day,
And eulogized the law to Israel given.
Then in higher, more triumphant strain.
Foretold the coming of the Amounted One
Predicted prophet, priest and king,
And sang the peace and splendor Of His reign. u
j. H. M.