p. 83 | Worship in Singing

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 2, 1860

Worship in Singing.

A GENTLEMAN, who was traveling in Germany, made the inquiry in an important place in which he happened to be on the Sabbath, in which church he would be likely to hear the best music. The answer was: "We do not have any music in church." Somewhat surprised, he asked if no hymns were sung. The person inquired of responded in the affirmative, but seemed to have no idea that this was music; it was a religious exercise into which music came incidently, without doubt, but in such a sorbordinate place as to be hardly regarded for its own sake. This is the proper idea in congregational singing. Music is not the object, but devotion. The exercise must not be regarded as musical, but religious. The most rhetorically elegant prayers are not necessarily the best by any means; but, on the contrary, the rhetoric may become a positive hindrance. So with the singing of hymns; that manner which most effectually engages the hearts of the congregation is best, though it may lack musical elegance.—Sel.