The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1881-06-01
Church ausic-Ihe u, n. General Assem-
By on the subject, ..

DIy On tub hubltCt1
The General Assembly Of the U. 7.
Church 10 IN session at Pittsburgh, and
among other questions up before the body
for discussion is the subject oil "overtur-
ing" the churches on the subject Of 80
changing the rules Of the ChHiCh as 10
admit oil instrumental music In their
worship 1t would seem that there is q
wide spread and growing desire en- the
part OF the membership for a change OF
relaxation Of the rule. They want some
instrumental music. They are tired Of
mere vocal music. The young people do
not enthuse over 80 much unaCCompanled
singing. II 10 evident that the day Is close
at hand for u change. One Of tho ministers
expressed himself thus:
want this question settled finally. II
has been discussed every year since ! have
been in the ministry. Think the minis.
terra who are disturbing us In calling for
the retention oil tho Old rule will then 20
homo and be nice, steady men, and !
think VIZ will oil settle down to the con.
UlusiOn that no revolution at all has taken
place because congregations that want an
instrument are allowed 10 have one. The
question does not involve any iundamen.
tal doctrine Of faith.
1t strikes uo thatthis Is a rather peculiar
speech. 1t seems that the dlsturberB oil
the peace Of the church are those who
contend for tho retention Ct the rule as II
exists. This sounds odd. II the peace O
the church cannot be kept by the reten.
ton OF the rule why Is II III there all THU
time.
1t is very plain tina. tho rule will have
10 be altered, whether the alteration
brings peace or not. The Committee on
Bills and Overtures expressed themselves
% follows on the subject:
at is conceded by those who hold The
various phases Il belief on the subject Of
instrumental musiC In worship that there
Ia a deep and widespread disqualification
with our present law relating thereto.
There Ia a difference as to the extent OF
that dissatisfaction and the best method Of
allaying 1t. The latter question is a very
serious and important one. II does not
seem right to your committee that we
enter upon a course which is likely 10
lead to strife and bitterness even II n
should succeed, There are successes which
are only the iotetunnets Of disaster, while,
on the other hand, there are CONCESSIONS
which most eEFeCtually conquer. The Scrip.
lures, 1t is true, Ia one place commands
us 10 earnestly contend for the faith which
was once delivered unto the saints. We
do not pretend to say whether OF not that
would include the matter OF Issue, but we
do say that Over against this one com.
mand calling for q holy contention we
Aud scOfes Of ibjunCtiOns requiring ds to
follow after that which makes for peaCe, 10
seek them and pursue them earnestly.'
Your committee are strongly Of the
opinion that the action OF this Assembly
ON the question before Us should tend In
the same direction and exhibit the same
spirit. We, therefore, recommend the fol.
lowing action:
ReRIrei, That the following question be submitted
IA iht stVefAl PtGsbJ ttfltS 10 be voted on yea OF nay,
and The votes to hr reported Ia the nt1t General Az
srmbly! Shall the ue0Fal Assembly hsnd down In
otorti . chapter 3, article 2, section 5 Of the Direc'
tory for worship