The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1888-11-15
MUsIO MORSHIP.

The Rev. DIR. A. T. Pierson, speaking
of the opening hymn at the recent
Worlds Missionary Conference in Lon
don, remarked ; "Those who would set
an operate quartette upon the
stills of high art to perform Gods praise
should have heard two thousand people
sing Old Hundred there" Manifestly
we have not yet reached the point, be =
yond which JLvIo 10 nUGuiug ueTler, Ur
attained to the millennium of bliss in
church music. In too many churches
at present the fact seems to be ignored
that the function of the quartette or
choir, as the case may be, is not to sing
for the congregation, but to lead the
congregation in the service of praise.
This undoubtedly results from the prac-
tice, which has been in vogue for some
years, of hiring trained voices to con-
duct this part of the worship of God.
Whether anything has been gained,
either financially or spiritually, by sub
stituting the paid quartette for the vol
untary choir, composed of an indefinite
number of such members of the eongre-
CATION as can sing well, is an open ques-
ton. 1t is evident that reaction is set
ting in. Churches here and there, which
nave BlNCl u ldll bilti w oil tut pldho,
having had the precentor, the quarteite
and the larger voluntary choir, are re-
turning to the latter method as the most
satisfactory. II is certainly more in &C
cord with the musical service of Gods
ancient people, which may well be taken
as model. They sought the best ef-
ects of a grand orchestra and choir.
Such was their training that the trump
eters and Singers were as one, to make
one sound to be heard in praising and
thanking the Lord; and when they lifted
up their voice with the trumpets and
symbals and Instruments of music, and
praised the Lold %the house was
filled with cloud so that the
priests could not stand to minister; for
the glory of the Lord had filled the
house of God By the visible tokens of
his presence he assured the great congre-
CATION Of his acceptance of their united
praises. Have we not drifted into the
error of putting undue stress On high
musical culture TO the exclusion Of
praise ? We would not be understood
as disparaging the highest possible cu.ti-
walton of this most choice of Gods giftI
1t is to be maintained that there can not
be too much culture, and that the ser
vice can not be too perfect. But it is to
be as strongly affirmed that there is dan
ger of being betrayed into making cult
walton of an end rather than meane, and
thereby to glorify art instead Of God
They who lead in the songs of the
sanctuary should have above all things
the spirit OF worship, with this spirit
the more culture the better. The prime
fact should be kept constantly in mind
that the congregation is assembled fer
the worship OF God. and that singing is
ny no means suspension Of worship,
las they practically declare who can
sing but do not sometimes even take
tinuation of worship; that it is an i'm
portant and most delightful part OF il
in which every voice may and should
participate. 1t is not to be denied, we
readily admit, that very often the arts-
tic fife t of the music would be b, tier
were the qulrtette or trained choir left
to itself, uDd urbed by some inharmo
NOUS voice or discordant note from
the congregation; but artistic effect is
not the object contemplated in worship.
The desire and aim of the true worship
er is not impression so much as expre9
sion. The impression that the music
makes upon him, and the expression
that is supposed to be the God whom he
worships, Of bis heartfelt praise, are
totally distinct things. A proper use is
made of music in worship when 1t s
used as the vehicle Of thanksgiving and
praise to God. In this, as 10 all the
various acts Of worship, God and his
glory should ever be kept before the
mind The Presbyterian.