I LATELY attended a conference, where brethren and sisters from different sections were gathered; and it was good to see them there. I greatly rejoiced to greet those of like precious faith; but alas! when we sang, one prolonged a quarter note, until it consumed the time of a whole note, with a hold and swell besides. Some were singing one verse, until others had progressed pretty well into the next; and the ending word of each verse, echoed and re-echoed, each according to the different notions of propriety, which each locality administered for itself, with the evident idea, that such notions were standard.
It would be too much to suppose, that different voices, from different places, with different styles of singing, should sing in perfect harmony; but certainly, it might be very much improved, by every one observing the following rules:
At such times, notice the voice and style of the one chosen to lead (and some judgment is necessary in this) and keep the ear open and alive to the harmony. Do not let zeal to be heard, overpower the zeal to hear; but rather let the ear control the voice. Always bear in mind, that whatever peculiar taste an individual or locality may have for slow or rapid execution of music, all must yield to one regular movement, when we all meet together for worship; and all must move in union, as to the time, pitch and force of sounds. Let us strive to sing as well as possible, with the spirit and understanding also. J. CLARKE.