Anadarko daily democrat. [volume] (Anadarko, Oklahoma) 1901-190?, 1901-10-12
PLEA FOR HYMNS.

There is one phase of the church
music question that was almost entire
W lost sight of in the recent discussion
OF that important subject. Very prop
ely the dignity and splendor of the old
music used in the liturgical churches
was dwelt on with great emphasis, and
with equal propriety the trivialties of
much OF the popular religious music
were condemned But 1t should be re-
membered that some of the familiar
hymns are both beautiful and impress
sive, at least, as far as the words go.
Many of those of the Wesleys, and
some of those of DR.. Watts. have a
majestic simplicity about them that are
worthy of all praise. And these are
the hymns that are most neglected in
the churches that undoubtedly have the
most devotional music. II would be a
sad thing to lose such hymns as "A
Glory Gids the Sacred Page" 20 For
Closer Walk With God" Jesus, Lover
of My Soul. Rock of ages" Nearer,
My God To Thee" and many Others
equally well known. They all have
their place, and very important place
il is in public worship Several points
are naturally suggested in this connec-
tion. One is the Importance of congre-
gational singing. Music. even when of
the best and most classic religious
type, may be beyond the capacity of
the average congregation, even when
IL is thoroughly familiar to the people.
And nothing should be done that may
exclude the people from participation
in the service of praise. The old
hymns. and some of those that are cri-
ticised-and with justice-serve a use
ful purpose in stimulating congrega-
tional singing. II is to be borne in
mind further that while book hymn
may also be good literature, 1t is not
necessarily so. II cannot be good IL 1t
offends or shocks the taste, but 1t may
be good even though 1t violates some
OF the rules of poetry. For there is a
distinction between a hymn and a
poem. A poem may be very beautiful,
and filed with a spirit of devotion, and
yet not be hymn at all So 1t is not
fair to judge a hymn by purely literary
standards The object of worship is,
| IL must be remembered, two-fold-to
testify the love and devotion OF the
people to God and to make them real
| ize vividly His love for them. Music,
| as we'll as everything else connected
with the church service, is an Offering
| to God. and so it should be worthy of
| Him. But ii is also valuable in pro-
portion as it kindles the religious emo
| tions. strengthens the faith and deep
ems the reverence of the people. II
church choirs could be made to realize
| that their part of the service Is not i
mere show, not "A program to be rem
dered, not something presented to the
congregation. but solemn part of the
worship Of God, much would be gained
Such consciousness as that would
effect their manner vastly improve
their singing and afford the real test
by which church music should bt
Judged. And it would, too, cause then
TO turn instinctively from thos'
wretched hymns which have given sc
much offense. Dignity, simplicity anC
austerity are the great notes to b'
struck. but after all some allowance
must be made for the emotlonalism-
and possibly even the sentimentalisn
of the people. and some scope mus
be given TO the humber and more hu
man cravings OF the spirit OF man. Th'
sense OF human fellowship, the coop
Grafton. and of dependence on one an
other as well as on God, must be min
istered indianapolis News.