New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-27
SINGING IN METHODIST CHURCHES.
The RitUalistic Tsndeney-Words Of Nj.
1eechsr.

70 tic E6Itc- O. Tie Tribune.
Sir: AproPos CT H. K. X : article II The Trib-
uIe on recent Sunday, describing the r.tuaI.st.c
tendency in the Methodist churches. IL occurs %
me 10 ask whethe- the adoption c. chance. ciloirs.
professionals recCs5iouals and such Ike ornaments
OF worship does aot threaten &c rob ovr Methodist
brethren CT what has always been set down as one
o. their most efficient means Of gracee The first
OF The Tr4buue's articles the music Of the
New-York churches furnished Illustrations in
plenty OF the well known fact that the followers
Of Wesley and Whitedc.d led the entire dissentias
and nCIcoEfOrrnlUE world IN congregational song
a hundred years age. Can such song and a r.tu-l
service 60 hand IN hand? I doubt it. Even so1d
singing chat is artistic singing oy chorus chCiT
IN the front pews OF the gallery tends 20 spoil con-
g-egstIonaI singing. Il creates q desire 10 listen
for the sake OF sensuols enJoymenL and makes
participation seem Ike Interference an not q
Methodist myself and perhaps It is none OF my
business. bat I confess to good deal OF sympathy
with .he following outoGrst from tie late Henry
Ward Beecher which Ousht to be recalled II there
Is 10 be controversy over "Chance4 Cholrs VS..
, Congregation:
by The way. Yesterday morning was at th9
is ana Am r6id if5I 1er ~ yv6-f6v society oc-
cupy it. But have a most welEhty charSe 20
had expected a treai of .ood hearty singing
IheTe were Charles ,WesLeys hymns, ana NEE
piety loved and modern Conceit LAUGHS at Imas-
up r6-s c5i from shelf a, the o.s- end 81 ne
church, and began to sing a monoto1ous tune OF
cation stood up meekly 70 Be sung TO, as men
stand under rain when there is shelter Scarcely
q lip moved No one seemed 20 hear the hymn,
or cared for the music How lOuseG Tor the
good OLD Methodist thunder one good burst OF
old fashioned music would have blown this modern
singing out OF the windows. ike WaIdlng from
gun! Men may call this Improvement and
genteeL Gentility has nearly killed our cnurches
anC IL viii XIII Methodist churches II they give way
to its false and pernicous ambition We knows very
well what good old fashioned Ne hodist music Was
IL had faults enough DOUBTLESS against taste But
II had an inward purpose and re!sious e2rnestneSs
which enabled IL carry all ilS IGC-S dlid
triumph in spite Of them II was woTsEiD- les
terdays music t0lerable singing but very poor
worship. We sorry that just as our cnurcnes
are beginning 10 initiate the former eX3Elo-e o.
Methodist churches and TO introduce melCdleS that
the people love Methodist brethren should PACK
Up CASTOR Journalism IN church music -
We have seen the time when one OF CnGTteS ives
ley's hymns. taxing the congregation % me mana
would have LED them Up 10 the safe or heaven But
yesterday il only Leo Them Up the choir. about
feet above the pews. This VIII never Co
Methodists will make magnificent wOrShfpping
Christians II thev not ashamed OF lIelI own
ways. but very Door ones II they are Brethren
you are in the wrong way.
New-Iork. Sept. p. 1893. I. : WILLIAMS