The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1886-06-18
Sacred Music.
concluded from first page,)


notice to be read, or inform him that he
is to make some announcement to the con
gregation at the close of the prayer, would
we not be shocked at the irreverence of
such proceeding? Yet how often this is
done during the singing of the hymn.
while no one seems to regard it as partic-
ularly out of place. Would we not feel
that it would be out of place for the Off.
GERS to 60 around and take up the collec-
ton during the prayer? Yet have often
attended divine service where The collec.
ton was taken up during the singing of
the hymn. This however is only a sample of
the many ways in which congregations,
everywhere, show how little reverence
they have for song as a part of the wor-
ship; the janitor is permitted to take this
occasion to ventilate the house, and have
attended services where the ladies and
gentlemen would hurry on their wraps
during the singing of the closing hymn in
order to be ready for the benediction.
Again. there is class of hymns and
tunes used in the worship of God that are en-
tirely Il iii for that purpose. The hymn
and tune used on that OCCASION should be
such as will enable us to come into the
divine presence in an humble, revercnlal
manner-not trashy, sentimental words. TO
light, bolsterous music; music that is used
today on the street and tomorrow on the
dance platform. Who in this audience to.
night would desire to be carried into the
presence of the mighty God singing Hold
the tort for am coming?" The church
has a special work to do, viz: bring souls
to Christ; this however is not a part of
church worship, and music may be en-
ployed in this work which would not be
appropriate to worship. believe in fight
ing the Devil with his own weapons and
if he has stolen some of our music, let us
steal it back again.
There came time in the past history of
church music when it was regarded as too
heavy and stiff for The Sunday School
something of "a lighter nature, and OF an
easier style was needed for the children to
sing; this gave rise to that form of musical
composition which is known today us
Sabbath School music-and while it has
done good it has also accomplished great
deal of harm At present there are books
written and compiled for the Sabbath
School, which contain great deal OF SEN
a.. otal IN 10 N
angel" or Zone drop of the Blood;" these
things are no doubt written with the best
intentions, but they are misleading.
We should bear in mind that the worship
and praise of Col is reality, not merely
sentimental performance.
My friends, we are going to have a great
reformation in our church music-let us
do everything in our power to hasten it..
Let christian ministers urge upon the peo-
pie the importance of song in the church.
Let christian people see 10 it that the
music of the. church is of pure, noble,
elevating character. Let us put forth
every effort to make the praise of God an
educated, intelligent service. This we
cannot do without education; but we
should bear in mind that whatever is
worth doing should be done well. AS |
said before. the Lord has given us faculties
and talents for cultivation and he certainly
holds us accountable for them. We can
not all become thoroughly educated must
clans, this requires life's work and study
but we may in short time become rca-
sonably good singers. The Lord docs not
require mole of us than we are able to do.
Acquiring "a musical education may be
compared to travelling up high mountain
"a mountain covered with beautiful
foliage and sweet scented flowers. While
we are yet in the valley at the foot of the
mountain, we can see but little of its beau
ty;but as we ascend, we come in contact
with beauties heretofore unseen ;ourviewex-
pands and we see more of the surrounding
country, and we see, also. more of the
beautiful heights above and beyond.