The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-09-27
Proper Praise.

Proper Praise.
The service of praise we are wont to
call the most delightful part of our wor-
ship. And so it ought to be. So, also,
In many cases it really is. In many
other instances. however, it is. precisely
the other way, and its delightful
character is due simply to an exercise of
the will without regard to sentiment and
experience. 1t is too much to say people
enjoy or are delighted with the discords
that IN many cases constitute their SER
vice in this particular. Even if they are
doing the best they can, and are thus
thoroughly satisfied as to conscience, it
would be reflection alike on their taste
and piety to say their inharmonious
psalmody is agreeable and entertaining.
If in our singing we wish to honor the
Lord, 1T Is proper that we should do it as
skillfully as possible, making good use OF
our faculties and opportunities and put
ting the earnestless Of our hearts into
the exercise. He is pleased with the
earnestness, but also with the music. 1t
goes up to him as the sacrifice that is
well-pleasing. The old idea that he Is
propitiated by that which is barren and
plain is contrary. to all the examples we
have IN the Scriptures, and also to every
suggestion that is given us through his
works and providence. If he have given
US Psalms fit to express his praise, he
does not mean that we shall carelessly
use them. His exactness in providing
them should be met by our best and most
effective use of them.
Ii by our singing we desire to increase
our own emotions of alteration and graft
tude, 1T is necessary that the music shall
be the best possible. 1t lis impossible for
persons to have their emotions stirred
by music that is not music. Discords.
harshness, a mere rude iangling of sounds
will please no ear that is capable of musi-
cal appreciation. If we are to get en-
thuslasm, tenderness, deepened earnest
ness, increased ferVor as the result of our
singing, it must be good singing, and as
these are objects desirable and necessary.
1T is therefore of the highest Importance
that we seek to make it good.
Intense devotion to that which is
proper to be sung is always commenda-
bic. 1t is right to say it is the first, the
most important thing of ALL But it is
not everything. The words are to be
sung, and the object in singing them is
to give them more force and expression
by means Of the music. Otherwise there
Is no propriety In the singing at all and
the decorous reading of Psalms, and es.
specially of informing them, would be
more appropriate. Some way or other.
and we do not know how, it became
fastened in the minds of many good
people years ago that mere mechanical
singing was all that praise required, and
that to introduce the idea of music into
1t was to make concession to sensuous-
ness totally hostile to all faithful and
edlfylng worship. 1t was a perversion
that is not yet entirely dislodged. There
are still devout Christians who believe
singing that will stand the test of must
cal criticism IS essentially of the world
and ought to be set aside as being in SYM
pathy with the flesh and the devil.
1t is pity that it is so. 1t causes
such persons to be cheated out of an en-
IJoyment and means Of profting that it is
their duty to use, and it binders the
church services from being as attractive
as they might be to those who need the
persuasions of praises that are melodious
as well as conscientious. The exaggera-
tions Of music in the churches are among
the evils Of the day. They spoil the de-
votion OF many saint and congregation,
and it is not surprising that timid Chris
tians, knowing it to be 50, conclude that
they will guard against such an evil by
putting themselves on the other side.
Being afraid Of too much music, they
conclude they will not have any. They
are like the man who is so impressed
with the sin Of surfeiting and intemper-
ance that he limits himself to the poorest
fare and refuses to have his mouth filed