Year: 1875

WITH MY SONG WILL I PRAISE HIM"


The Tribune gives the names of the sing
ers and a statement of the salaries paid to
each in the principal churches of New
York. Over one hundred thousand dol
lars is paid yearly for the music of twen-
ty-three churches named. The soprano
at the Church of St. Bartholomew gets
fifteen hundred dollars, and the same is
paid to Miss Thursby at the Church of the
Divine Paternity. These are the highest
salaries paid to the singers. Two organ
lists, Mr.. Cornell, of st. Paul's, and Mr..
Warren, of the Holy Trinity get each
twenty-five hundred dollars. The list of
singers includes the names of many who
have tried singing in opera and in the
concert room. 1t can not be claimed
that these professors of music are all pro-
fessors of religion. They give so much
melody for so much money, earning their
bread by Sunday work. There is sort of
rivalry between the churches to obtain the
best singing artists; many of the quartettes
are obtained through the agency Of music
brokers, very much as dramatic artists
are engaged by Simmonds & Wall for the
different theatres. There is no objection
to good singing, and that good singers
are paid fair salaries shows appreciative
aesthetic taste. The question is: How far
does tie singing of ihe professional quar-
tette go in the line of Divine worship?


Miriam, the sweetest singer of Israel,
worshiped to some purpose. She led the
best choir ever known, and with her wo-
men, all playing on loud timbrels, sung
and danced. They sung praises after max
ing the Red sea passage, and the people
joined in the grand chorus. Natural sing
ing is certain expression of the feelings.
One of the Wesleys appreciated the situa-
ton when he said the devil was getting
all of the best music. 1t is by no means
certain, however, that he will get all of
the best singers The Psalmist continual
ly called upon the people to praise the
Lord. He said, "With my song will I
praise Him." There was no bargain to
praise the Lord for two thousand dollars;
the praise must come spontaneously to be
effective. Good praying and singing
can never be got out of hired
men who make salary bigger motive
than thanksgiving and praise. Wherever
religious interest has been awakened,
singing has played an important part; but
it is not the singing of operate selections
in an unknown tongue. Philip Phillips
with his simple songs can easily wake up
and interest a whole congregation, no
matter how soundly it may have been
sleeping under the preaching of doc
tor of divinity. Sankey brings people
to hear Moody; he makes the people
sing with him; and those who will
not speak in meeting find themselves
singing there, and all become worship
ers. The colored churches are held
together by the music that is in
them. The camp meeting hymns sway
the people more than the sermons. If it
were desirable to check what is called a
revival of religion, let we'll paid clergy
man lecture in one end Of the church on
the fortunate support the science of
geology gives to the Bible, and in the
other end of the church let high priced
quartette give concert, with selections
from operatic airs; there will then be no
excitement on the score Of religion.


Congregational singing is better. Every