22 Church Music Congregation Versus Choir 1793

22 - CHURCH MUSIC-CONGREGATION VERSUS CHOIR 1793

DURING the eighteenth century most of the church singing was congregational. A record of it contains this, "They sang with decorum if not ability." But some daring innovators emphasized the importance of " ability " withal, and suggested that church music might be improved by giving the whole matter over to the exclusive management of a few trained singers. This suggestion met with scant favor among New England churches, and in some cases it was stoutly antagonized. The suggestion for these improvements reached New Durham during the year of grace 1793. It appears that a number in the town had given attention to the rules of singing, and had formed themselves into an association called "The Singing Society." At length the leader wrote to Mr. Randall, requesting that choir singing be introduced into the Sabbath services of the church, and that they be permitted to conduct that part of worship. From the first our people had given to sacred song a large place in their worship. Their aversion to surrendering that service to the monopoly of a choir was expressed in Mr. Randall’s response, portions of which are subjoined: new durham, May 13, 1793. Mr. Jackson and The Singing Society. In response to your request, we would say: As "God is a Spirit, and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth," nothing but spiritual service can be pleasing to him. Hence, should a society, ever so large, and understanding the rules of music ever so well, render the service of song without the spirit, it could only please the ear of men, and not the great heart-searching God, who requireth truth in the inward parts.

You well say that singing is a part of the worship of God, and ought to be performed with sincerity. Just so. Such is the declaration of the Scriptures: " I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding." " Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing’ one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." "Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord."

How important that we sing with the spirit! How presumptuous must it be for any one who lives after a vain and carnal manner, or uses his tongue in profane language, to attempt to lead an important part of the solemn worship of God! As well may an unconverted man lead in prayer or preaching as in singing. For the latter is equally sacred with the former. But to conclude. We wish you well. May you all be engaged to know God! May you all come into that state in which you can worship him in spirit and truth here and be prepared to join with the millions of worshipers hereafter.

Yet, we must inform you that, for reasons above stated, we believe it cannot be pleasing to God for us to give our consent for his worship to be led by any but those who are practical believers in Christ. In behalf of the church at New Durham, benjamin randall, Pastor.

Here it should be observed that Mr. Randall did not object to the regulation of church music by rule, but to monopoly of it by the unconverted.

Now, we are in sympathy with both Mr. Randall and the leader of "The Singing Society." The position of Mr. Randall, that the entire congregation should have the opportunity of worship by song, is sustained by the sacred Scriptures, the usages of the early Christian church, and of all churches ever since, at seasons of their deepest piety and greatest efficiency. In order that singing be with the understanding as well as with the spirit, it must be regulated by rules. Henry Ward Beecher, in one of his Yale lectures, speaking of church music, said: "A choir is necessary to have the best kind of congregational singing." He would have the organ and the choir lead and regulate the music, while " all the people " have opportunity to worship in song, measuring up to right standards according to their several ability. And that is the way they did it, as we happen to know by personal acquaintance with both Mr. Beecher and his Free Baptist chorister. In that same Yale lecture, Mr. Beecher had the modesty to say: "It is the singing which draws the people to Plymouth church, not the preaching."

It is a well-known fact that Mr. Spurgeon had simply a musical director to lead his three or four thousand hearty English and Welsh worshipers in sacred song. As to the effect, we have it from those who have attended the Tabernacle services that it was indescribably impressive and grand.