Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-09-01
MUSIC In CHURCHES.
Wonderful Evolution of One of the
Popular Forms of Worship.
INTRODUCTION OF PIPE ORGANS
By Denomination That Has Always Been
Opposed to Their Use.
A JUMP FROM LINING OUT HYMNS

The First Presbyterian Church of Pitts.
burg was able to celebrate its centennial
| five years ago. The United Presbyterians,
whose creed and practice. was of a somewhat
more rigid caste, did not occupy this field
until the year 1901 or 1902. For decade
before that period there were few orthodox
| families here who held to the faith delivered
to the saints in Scotland, but the nearest
minister who could dispense the sacraments
was the Rev. A. Henderson, of Canonsburg.
| The few faithful here were part Of Hender-
sons missionary field, and once month
during the last decade of the last century
the Canonsburg U. P. Bishop came to Pitts
burg to dispense the pure gospel in this
portion of his diocese.
1t seems a little singular that Pittsburg
should be field of missionary operations
for Canonsburg preacher, but such was the
condition of things from 1890 to 1900. In
1894 a carpenter by the name of james
Young pitched his tent in this city, and,
though he could, at that early day get
Presbyterian gospel in the old log church
on Wood street, he wanted something more
orthodox, and so, for number of years went
to Canonsburg for the pure stuff Times
have changed since Pittsburgers felt con-
strained to go to Canonsburg for spiritual
provender.
HOW THE BEGINNING WAS MADE.
James Young, who will be remembered
by old timers as the Squire, in the process
of years. concluded that the Canonsburg
missionary station at the forks OF the Ohio,
ought to go it alone. He gathered a few of
the faithful here, and a church was organ
lied in the year 1901, under the title of the
Associate Presbyterian Church of Pittsburg.
A lot was purchased on the corner of Sew
enth avenue and Cherry alley, and the
First United Presbyterian Church entered
upon its career in this city. Out of that
movement have grown up over 20 churches
of that order in the two cities and suburbs.
In Allegheny there are number of o. P.
churches with a membership of 500 to 600
each. A recent local in The DISPATCH re-
ferred to a contract for new pipe organ by
the East Liberty United Presbyterian
Church at cost of 1900. A halt GEN.
tury ago the music of the United Presnyte-
rian churches was furnished by two
precentors, one of whom read out
two lines of the Psalm of
David, after Rouse's version, and the
other raised the tune for the congregation to
fall into line. When the lining out was
thought no longer necessary, few of the
old-timers left the church because of the in
novatiou. An elder of the Sixth Avenue
o. P. Church, by the name of Getty, whose
pew was close up to the pulpit. in the mid
die aisle,
MARCHED FIRMLY OUT
of the church when the new method of sing
ing without reading the two lines was inau-
gurated. The tune used on that occasion
was forever after called "Getty's Retreat"
If the Pittsburg United Presbyterians,
who passed away a generation ago, could
return to the scene of their earthly tolls and
witness frst-class pipe organ in church
of their order they would be hard to per-
suade that they had not gotten into the
wrong pew
The wealthiest church of the denomina-
tion, without a dissenting voice, will in
short time be worshiping God in song, with
the best instrumental accompaniment that
money can furnish. 1.-The world do
move" A stronger illustration of Oar
wins theory of evolution can hardly be
found than that afforded by the progress of
the churches on the question of music. The
break made by the East End q. P. Church
will no doubt be the entering wedge, and in
the next generation the pipe organ is liable
to be the rule as it is now the exception in
that denomination.