The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-01-05
SINGING In CHURCHES.

Even so short period of time as twenty
years ago, when a hymn was announced in
church everybody found the place Nand
everybody sang. The faint, quaverng
tones of the old and the strong and certain
ones Of the young rose together Nova
days, in a congregation OF three or four
hundred you may count on your fingers
and have some to spare, those who really
sing. few people move their lips, but
no sound comes forth; a. few murmur so
softly the occupants of the next pew cam
not hear; still smaller number let out
their voices if in praise; while the great
majority sit silently watching the choir or
looking about the audience, not so much
as opening the book. Is 1t because we have
paid choirs and feel they should be made
to earn their money? Is ii because our
musical taste has been cultivated until
we do not care to sing unless possessing
Patti-like voices? Or is it because we have
not the true spirit of devotion? No one dis
putes the right of magnificent organ or
even full orchestra If it can be afforded.
No one disputes the right Of the paid choir.
The day when this was done has gone, but
why should congregational singing go with
X? Why do have hymn books at all
If music in the church is only to crafty
an drtlStlc taste. III was once supposed 10
be for the worship Of God, and as necessary
as the sermon for that purpose. The beauty
of sacred solo. anthem and organ voluntary
is not to be decried, yet thoughtless organ
lists and irreligious choirs have something to
answer for. Ushers passing the contribu-
ton boxes to the quick time OF Strauss
waltz do not inspire reverence in any
body hymn sacred by it's words and
has more than once robbed the entire SER
vice of it's solemnity. sentimental ditty
appropriate to concert hall or drawing room
has no place in church service. No one
would care to revive the long metre. drawl-
ing, psalm-singing of the Puritans, yet
there can be sense Of the eternal fitness
of things. 1t would sound hard to say the
careless. not to say slovenly. singing heard
in the church Of to-day proceeds from
a lack of devoutness, but singing should
express something or awaken something
1t was said short time ago that we are
too indolent to learn new songs, and be-
ing tired Of the old ones do not sing al
all. However true that may be, il is also
true that no new tunes appeal to US as do
the old ones. Nearer. my God, to Thee"
Sweet Hour OF Prayer" and Rock of
them inspire us with more real ardor than
anything new ever does But when a med
ley of trills and runs, a series OF unmean-
ing repetitions Of the same phrase takes
the place of old and loved air we have
right to complain. When the soprano
starts off gaily Rock of ages cleft for
me, let me hide"-and the alto Joins in
LET me hide" and the tenor adds LET me
hide" followed by the bass Let me hide"
II is difficult to keep from wishing they
were all not only hidden but speechless.
A good deal has been written about Amer.-
can irreverence, some OF IL overdrawn no
doubt, yet viewing a modern Sunday gath
ering during the singing of hymn. the
words of which ought to kindle with zeal
every heart present. and noting the listless-
ness. the indifference, OF the worshipers
one could scarcely deny the justice OF a
portion OF the censure- Ifsmusic is an es-
sential part Of the service 1t should be
as impossible TO gaze about during the
singing as to do so during the prayer or
the sermon. To be sure. there are a few
"carry a tune" but there are only a very
few; nine out OF ten can and should do SO.
To hear an entire congregation singing
heartily Nearer. my God. to Thee" or "An
Hall the Power OF Jesus Name" would
quicken alike the heart Of the most ardent
or the most lukewarm OF Christians.
MAY w. DOMAIN.