Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1884-07-03
Managing the Singing.

The old-time Puritans adapted them
selves to circumstances. In those days
the singing was congregational. The
HYMNS were selected from metrical
version of the Psalms. called ''Ihe Bay
Psalm Book. a copy of which is now
worth three hundred dollars. In most
congregations only five tunes were
known; even the churches which boast
ed of their musical culture knew but
ten. Psalm-books were so scarce that,
in order to secure the singing Of the con-
gregation, the hymns were ''llned." A
deacon, standing in front OF the pulpit,
led the singing. He read two lines OF
the Psalm, and then sang them, the
congregation joining in. In this. way
he led the people through twelve or
fifteen stanzas. But the Puritans
did not object to long hyms, or long
prayers, or even long sermons.
Wh n the churches were provided
with more psalm-books, and knew more
than ten tunes, division of opinion
arose as to the best method of leading
the singing. The progressive members
desired that the Psalm should be sung
right through, without "lining," and
that chorister and choir should lead,
instead of a lone deacon. The con-
servatives resisted the proposed innova-
ton. The method adopted as matter
of convenience had, through long use.
become to them the proper method of
worshiping God in sacred song. In
many churches the topic became "a
burning question" But one church,
that of New Milford, Conn, solved by a
compromise the vexatious problem. At
first the last Psalm was sung in the new
style. Then, during year. the deacon
''lined' the Psalm on one Sabbath, and
on the next the chorister led the sing
ing. The new and the old ran neck
and neck for twelve months. and then
these qaint entries were written in the
church record:
''First, it was put to vote that those
that were for singing all together the
old way should go to the east end of
the meeting @ house, where appeared SIX
teen, and those that were for the new
way singing altogether, to go to the
west end of the house, where appeared
twenty-nine or thirty.
''1hen secondly, voted that the ma
iority of voters should rule and govern
in the affair thirty against sixteen"
When it voted to permit the last
Psalm to be sung in the new style, it
also de Jared that any one opposed to
the new arrangement, mi hit, if he de-
sired, go out before the singing. On
the next Sabbath, just before the last
psalm was given out, Old Dick, a stall
wart slave belonging to the min
lister, rose in his pew at the ex-
treme corner of the gallery. With great
deliberation, he pounded his heavy bro
gans along the gallery and down the
stairs, while minister and congregation
waited. The next morning, the minis
ter sent for Dick to come to his study.
''Dick, why did you go out of meet
ing, and thus disturb the whole congre-
gation?" asked his master"
conscience, massa, conscience"
answered Dick.
"What do you know about con.
science. Dick?" asked the parson, a lit.
tie surprised.
80 massa 1 don't know zactly, but
it is something or odder right in here
[placing his hand on his breastl,
massa; that says, Il won't.''
Dick was dismissed. He was not the
only person who has thought obstinacy
to be conscience. Youths Companion.