1 1 Alamoth, and Mattithiah and Elipheleti, and Mik- Thus evident is it, that Choir-service is strictly notions, ought in a strict sense, not to be noticed, because, he who would improve upon the dictates of tlie Holy Spirit is rather to be pitied than confuted. Nevertheless, as all men are not divines or students of holy writ, a concise exposure may be beneficial. David was an inspired writer and if any objections to the connection of music with devotion were ever well founded they were as valid in the days of Da.vid, as they are now. As to any inconsistency with the simplicity of christian worship, we may ask, whether St. Paul and St. James would have sanctioned such an incorporation, if they had disapproved of it, for that they did sanction it is unquestionable? would the Almighty himself have chosen, that the Liturgy used before his throne should be musical ? As to the supposed patronage thus given to irreligion or immorality, surely they who are bad may be made better, but cannot be made worse, by a connection of the art, with religion or virtue; nor can it be admitted, that the abuse of a thing is any argument against the use of it, since by the same mode of reasoning men ought not to have hands, lest they should commit murder with them. The text quoted from St. Paul as prohibitory of musical aids to devotion is that in the Epistle to the Ephesians ; * where the Apostle, after mentioning psalms and hymns directs them to make melody in their hearts. This phrase has been * V. 19. ever were mis tel 01904, Vas actual sense. The Apostle simply meatis the heathens," A text in the Colossians," is really to the purpose. The Apostle there says "Let the word of God dwell in you richyly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns singing with grace bin your hearts to the Lord.” Here the Apostle (most certainly considers music, as one of the oor DO269T od ar eids methods fitted to produce piety, giderow to fabon 1291911 he run amelv. prayer or petitioh, and The truth is, that divine worship is divided into two panel beideas to the latter tusit is thanksgiving or praise. especially appropriated. "This'is clearly shown from the following passages in St. Paul and St. James, Mosede , brat with the understanding also ys Pei Will pray with othe spirit, and I will pray (allyding to prayer) d again, *'I Willsing with the spirit , and I will sing with the understanding also, 9 Bloomfield's Recensio, e you afliçted, let him prayals any merry, let him sing psalms.cat e prayer.cat Byd ebrow under sorrow, and psalmody under joy. 1911 2011 brim sudbis thètes prest authority of the Apostles, in behalf of Church music, and Y and that Forms nearly analogous to the present Choir-service ma exist in the earliest christian worship is incontestably proved by contemporary history, even that of the Heathens. I The only real ' undecided points, whether any but inspired hymns were used by Liebe nennt that any others were allowed and the first christians. It cannot be proved from the new Testament, that any this is the reason, why in in our truly "seriptural model of worship, no other are authorised. 1901 bobrvib et guderow saisibilit: base truth, the art of Music is of the highest What, eirank in scripture, in reason, and in nature." min fact is Music, but vocal Sculpture, the confort sation of sounds.đo a standard of beauty What Sofia tas ata bulan elevation of the character of from humanity to þerojsın. Musiç unlocks the Stores of memory, reminds us of impressionis, 3dwhich once were felt in rapture, and makes vous dixebagain beyerda hauales skiebon Buge ? hours of . situhrings, back eve of thoughtalbusteeps ip, teasias sabartina sustia.ed tears, the sparkling 9 Plinya Tertullian, &c, see Bloomfield, vii. 641, 642. be SO he 30, है * Bloomfield, effecte di un bess merrimentand yet does not destroy its felicity. Itec reaches the imourner; that there may be a joy in grief itself Does not the very power of producing such wonderful effects show that the production of firie sounds ris a condescension of providence, alloited to us for the benevolent purpose of elicit ing part of the divine attributes ? mày there not be vision in sounds and colours in words ? áre there not Sun-rise and Sun-set, golden clouds, blue Skies, and gay rainbows in the e varied atmos phere of music are not lightnings, thunders, and all the mightiest impressions of the senses to be by sounds ? will not the trumpet alone of Piano the Giant Archangel, be an Earthquake which will raise us out of our very graves ? and when we are in heaven itself, all exterior pleasure will consist in eye and ear, in vision and music? even upon earth, Church-music is the Epick poetry of devotion-as far a as lies, within our mortal means lose we bring down from heaven , the Hosannas of the Seraphs, who sing around the throne of God; and we set to the holy tunes the sublime ideas of the inspired prophets. Shall I mention him, who has bob diwon shown that this is possible-need l name Handel. 10 7SW 52 Th • bas tragiba ! There are those, who solemnly believe, that to be a learner not a teacher; there are those, who do not like the wisdom of 11300 1970s Dow it becomes ignorance to 219016 |