feit; lest while we have a name to live, we be dead in trespasses and sins, and lest, having the form of godliness, we be destitute of its power. a a If the view which we have taken be correct one, we can see at a glance why the apostle resembled the course of the Christian to a race; and why he recalled to their recollection the distinguished believers of the Old Testament. The Hebrew converts, no less than the pagan ones, were in great danger of growing weary and faint in their minds, and of not "resisting unto blood." Among them were those concerning whom the apostle gave this charge "Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way." There were, too, others of a less hopeful character. Hence it was necessary to exhort them to look "diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God (in the margin fall from); lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birth-right; for ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected; for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears." Knowing these things, that the Hebrew converts were in danger from the common sources of evil inherent in our fallen nature, from the common temptations of Satan, from the common allurements of this sinful world; and that besides these they had to contend with others of a peculiar character, such as arose out of the times in which they lived, and the dreadful persecutions to which they were exposed, we see how weighty those motives were likely to be which were drawn from the rehearsal of the patience and perseverance of the Old Testament saints. For if, exposed to like temptations, sufferings, and death, the former had submitted without a murmur, surely the latter might be expected to submit with equal fortitude: for the one had endured with the prospect of a Messiah not yet come, but the other lived in Messiah's day. What prophets and kings had in vain desired to see, they saw. Hence the superiority of their motives to a patient endurance of the will of God. They had Jesus as the Author and Finisher of faith; he had resisted to blood; and they were required to take up the cross and follow him. Moreover, he had told them what to expect-that they must suffer the loss of all things; but then he fortified them by example and by precept. He taught them that the soul is of more value than all the enjoyments of this life, yea, than life itself" for what shall a man be profited if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" The main object of the apostle then, in the words of our text, is to exhort the Hebrew Christians to constancy in the faith and confession of the gospel of Christ. And, as their course was likened to an arduous race, such as was frequently celebrated at the Olympic games, he suggests to their minds this great truth-that, parallel to the animating crowds which attended them, was the great cloud of witnesses of the Old Testament saints who were then inclosing them within the circle of their observation, and were looking to see how they acquitted themselves in a race in which themselves had obtained a crown of imperishable glory. And that the eye of one especially was upon them-of the Author and Finisher of their faith-who, for the joy that was set before him, endured agonies far surpassing any that had been endured by any other human sufferer; for, besides the sufferings which man could inflict, the arm of Jehovah was uplifted against him, and laid upon him the burden of our iniquities. For what saith Jehovah?" Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and the man that is my fellow, saith the Lord of hosts; smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered." And again-"For it pleased the Lord to bruise him, and to put him to grief, and to make his soul an offering for sin: surely he hath borne our griefs and carried our sorrows." Let us pause, my brethren, and dwell for a brief space on the parallel here drawn between the witnesses of the contesting parties in the celebrated Grecian games, and those which surrounded the first believers. Among the crowds which thronged the plains of Olympia to witness the struggle for the fading chaplet which adorned the brow of the victor, we see the most revered and the most distinguished of their countrymen. In that universal gathering we see the warrior, the statesman, the philosopher, the poet, the man of letters gazing with intent eye on the progress and the issue of the race; now watching in breathless suspense the strenuous efforts for victory made by those engaged in it; and now mingling their approbation with the deafening plaudits which rang throughout the assembled crowds, as the successful candidate reached the goal. Such, brethren, is one side of the parallel; and the other is found in the noble army of martyrs, who died in faith before Messiah's advent. Among the less distinguished of that heavenly concourse were the myriads which no man can number, assembled from the four quarters of the globe, and gathered out of all nations-the saints of patriarchal and of Jewish times. Some of these the apostle singles out, and details, in brief, the characters by which they were distinguished. Others, whose deeds are bright with glory, he merely mentions; recording with their names those general acts of faith for which those names stand out in bold relief in the page of sacred history. There we see Abel, the first of that glorious throng whose names are mentioned to animate the zeal of the Hebrew Christians -the first that presented an acceptable sacrifice to God, and fell a victim to his faith and obedience. Next to him Enoch, who, having the testimony that he pleased God, was translated to heaven-the single exception to that law which brings all beneath the sceptre of the king of terrors, and consigns all to the regions of the dead. Then Noah, one of the eight persons that was saved amidst the fury of the deluge, when a whole world was drowned for its ungodliness. Abraham stands next, the pattern of the faithful and the friend of God. And then, passing with rapid strides over the long period of three thousand years, and naming some others distinguishable for their faith and obedience, as if fearing to exhaust their patience, the apostle suddenly breaks off with this interrogation-"What shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and of Barak, and of Sampson, and of Jephthæ, of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets; who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again; and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection." These then are the spectators of the Christian's course; this the cloud of witnesses to see how he acquits himself in the race set before him. And surely this may suffice to illustrate the motives which the Christian has to animate him. Brethren, the same eyes are fixed upon you to see how you acquit yourselves. And what does the apostle urge as a consequence of this? "Lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset you, that you may run with patience the race set before you." And what weight has the Christian to lay aside? Inordinate affection for things temporal; concern for the body, while the soul excites no anxious thought. And what is the besetting sin which requires such attention? That to which they are most exposed from circumstances, constitution, or company; these re tard men's progress in the Christian race, if they do not cause them to relinquish it altogether. Hence the necessity for the exhortation-" Set your affections upon things above, and not on things of the earth." And with regard to the other injunction-"Run with patience"-this implies that Christians have a race of service, and a race of sufferings, which must be run with patience to encounter the difficulties of the way, and with perseverance that the goal may be reached. But there is one witness of this race whose eye is constantly fixed upon all who enter upon it. If no other eye saw the Christian struggling in his onward course-feeling the power of inbred corruption, groaning under the sin that easily besets, entangled by inordinate affections for this world, fearing lest the contest against the world, the flesh, and the devil, should not be maintained by himthat eye might suffice as a witness to animate with vigour: for it is the eye of him who died for their sins; it is the eye of him who rose for their justification; it is the eye of him who ascended up on high, that he might enter into heaven, like the great highpriest into the holy of holies, and with his own blood expiate their sins. Brethren, attend, in conclusion, to the practical application of this subject. Let me exhort you to follow the advice of the apostle in these gracious words; let me urge you to do this more simply and perseveringly than you have ever done. Is not your Saviour entitled to your highest confidence? Did he not give himself for you, and suffer for you? Has he not ascended as your advocate and intercessor at God's right hand, in your own nature? Does not his omniscient eye watch you continually? Yes, he notices all: he marks the efforts which you make to obtain pardon and peace. The sigh for penitence, though whispered in secret, and audible by no mortal ear, is heard by him. The prayer of faith, though mingled with doubts and fears lest you should be unworthy and should not find grace and acceptance, rises to his ear, and is presented before the throne, perfumed with the incense of his all-prevailing intercession. Such is his grace and compassion, that "the bruised reed he breaketh not, and the smoking flax he quenches not." Doubt not his ability, doubt not his willingness to save. "He is able to save to the uttermost all them that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession.' "Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out," is the encouraging word of his grace. "Come unto me, all ye that are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.' Such are his gracious words to you; whe 244 your or not. ther you have entered upon the course, or | ing part in some of the most solemn devotional exeronly resolve to enter. Remember that cises of Christian worship, no matter whether the power and your sufficiency is in him. He party thus engaged were imbued with religious feeling is the “ Author and Finisher of faith : he purIn such cases, it has sometimes chanced that the choice has fallen upon a worthy object. But put chased for you the spirit of faith; he made the reverse. Suppose the choice to fall upon a man known the rule of faith, and he is the efficient who has not the fear of God before his eyes, or upon cause of the gracious effects produced by but one who yet possesses abundance of musical one who hath said in his heart, "There is no God," faith. Look, then, simply to him; turn your thoughts from self and its unworthiness, and behold in him the Lord your righteousness. You are permitted just to glance at those eminent believers who lived before his day, and you may catch a portion of their animation; but look especially to him who submitted to the shame and cruel death of the cross, enduring the contradiction and scorn and reproaches of sinful men, and who was sustained by the prospect of foreseen joy which he should have when seated at the right hand of God. He could look back with pleasure to those sufferings which he endured for man by his expiatory sacrifice, to the security which he thus gave to the divine honour and government, to the seal which he thus affixed to that covenant of which he is talent; what will be, what must be, the issue ? Music may continue, and from the place in which it is performed it may be called church music, but devotional music there will be-there can be-none. Under the administration of such a man, congregational singing will soon become extinct for nothing is more exquisitely sensitive than is the popular feeling concerning the manner in which every branch of divine service is conducted. Devotion may be excited or repressed, warmed or chilled, by differences of manner which, technically considered, are so minute as to escape particular observation. The proximate effect, the precise mode in which this want of religious feeling on the part of the organist or conductor operates on yet this does not diminish the force of the fact. the congregation, may not be distinctly appreciated; There are many who never studied music, who yet can understand and adopt the remark once made by a good old lady-" I can always tell when the organ is played with an unction." introduction of men of flagrantly immoral and infaIt will be perceived that I am not adverting to the mous character, nor to the ill effect of gross and a Mediator, to the salvation which he pro- palpable irreverence of manner in the performance of vided for the chief of sinners, and to the reward which crowned all his sufferings. As Mediator he is exalted to a station of the highest honour, of the greatest power, and of the most commanding influence. Nothing passes between heaven and earth but what is under his control. As he was the procurer of all grace, so is he the channel through which it flows. He is the daysman who lays his hand upon both parties-upon the holy God, and upon offending and sinful man. Your duty, brethren, is to look to him; to set him continually before you as the object of your faith, trust, confidence, and hope, and of your eternal enjoyment. Unto him, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, the one ever-living Jehovah, be ascribed all praise and dominion, for ever and ever. Amen. CHURCH MUSIC. BY EDWARD HODGES, MUs. Doc. No. II. LEAVING the consideration of the style of musical composition adopted, for that of the character of the parties principally concerned in its performance, another grand cause of the decline of congregational music cannot fail to become manifest. In too many instances has it happened, both in Europe and in America, that a church in the selection of its musical officers has paid no regard whatever to any but the technical qualifications of the candidates. To be a good singer or player was (and is!) a sufficient passport to a professional engagement to take a lead holy offices; they need no remark: but I refer to the Candour however here requires the admission, that a deep religious feeling is sometimes to be found in men whose ordinary avocations would, in the estima- • We cannot agree with the author on this point. It is always painful for us to read advertisements of charity-sermons where it is stated that Mr. So-and-so will preside at the organ, and that the anthems will be sung by persons who figure on the boards of a theatre six nights out of seven. We know that in the popish chapels of the metropolis this is very common, and is all in full keeping with the mummery of the mass; but it ought never to be allowed in the established church. We rejoice to know that many of our bishops have, to their credit, sought to quash the evil.-ED. zeal in the cause of Christ. know them." "By their fruits ye shall For the employment of ungodly men, perhaps the plea of necessity will be set up; and in truth it is apparently a strong one. The demand for religious musicians exceeds the supply: and so, as the church cannot obtain wheat, she contents herself with tares. But why should this be? It is to be feared that the church will have much to answer for on the score of a culpable parsimony with reference to the support of her musical officers. Among settled congregations, instances are rare where an adequate provision is not made for the comfortable support of the clergy; but the instances are yet more rare in which any thing approaching to a bare competency for the subsistence of a family is allotted even to the " chief musician" of a flourishing Christian congregation. Probably upon the entire continent of North America there is not even one such instance. How then can an ecclesiastical musician be expected to devote himself to his work? And if, here and there, one should do so, upon what rational ground can a succession of such men be looked for? "Who goes a warfare at his own charges?" What religious young men, although possessed of the requisite tact and talent, will expend their early years in study for a profession which, sacred though it be, after all, in the present state of society, will bring them neither honour or emolument; nay, which will not reimburse them for their time and money so expended? Assuredly few, or none. St. Paul asks his Corinthian converts, "Do ye not know that they, which minister about holy things, live of the things of the temple?" Such is the rule, and the parties concerned in the direction of church music do certainly "minister about holy things;" but alas! that upon which they are to "live" must be sought elsewhere. Hence it unfortunately happens that the profession is generally followed by worldly men, with worldly views, principles, and motives; and, although the church makes use of them, she sends them to the world for their subsistence. And the penalty of this niggardliness is righteously exacted, in the quenching of all spirituality in the music of the church, and in its conversion into a mere exhibition of artistical skill. What but this dismal result can be expected? When a man must devote all his energies, during six days out of seven, to the diligent instruction of pupils in the art of performing quadrilles and waltzes and all the lighter music of the age, or in teaching them to sing sentimental songs and flippant ballads, or in composing or adapting music of a like character, calculated to meet a ready sale in the fashionable circles of society, how can he be supposed likely to come properly prepared upon the Lord's day to take a leading part in the deep solemnities of Christian worship? It is perhaps just within the scope of possibility, but it is certainly far out of the range of likelihood. The spirit of the week-day business will too generally and too surely pervade and tincture the Sunday employment: the melodious ballad of the concert-room will issue from the loft under the holy garb of a "pretty" psalm tune, and the brilliant fantasia or operatic overture will enter the church under the disguise of a voluntary. These atrocities are not the mere imaginings of a suspicious fancy; they are lamentable matters of fact. Such things have been, and unless better order be taken, such things will be again. Is it any cause of wonderment that church music does not flourish* ? But, not to dwell too long upon this unpleasant, and, to a professional musician, peculiarly delicate topic, let us pass on to the consideration of some of the remaining causes of the declension of congregational singing; of which, however, I purpose mentioning but two or three more. One of these is the prevalence of a silly fashion Το which deems it ungenteel to sing in church. It is true that sometimes there may be just cause for silence, even where there is the disposition to sing. If the tune is unknown by the congregation they cannot sing it. And this leads to the remark that the constant introduction of new melodies operates very injuriously upon congregational music; as also does the great number of metres now to be found in almost every collection of psalms and hymns, each metre requiring not simply a tune but a collection of tunes adapted to the varying sentiments of the poetry. To set a cheerful tune to a penitential psalm, or a lugubrious melody to a rapturous poem, would be alike incongruous and indecent. Hence the necessity of perhaps considerably more than a hundred different melodies; for the number of metres rarely falls far short of thirty. How can those persons who visit a church but once or twice a week acquire or maintain an acquaintance with so many tunes? They must be apt learners indeed if they do. But to pass on. Another cause of the decay of congregational music is to be found in the technical inefficiency of the means and agents sometimes employed to conduct it. Where the organ is used, an instrument of inadequate dimensions and power, or of bungling workmanship and defective mechanism, or harsh and disagreeable in the quality of its intonation, or one which is totally unfitted for any kind of musical expression, will do a great deal towards rendering good psalmody impossible. A very small organ accompanying a large congregation, on the supposition that the people actually sing, is worse than useless; as, not having authority enough to restrain the unavoidable tendency of the multitude to go astray from the original pitch, unlicensed discord and confusion must inevitably ensue. Defective mechanism also must occasion perplexing irregularities, which, even under the hands of an able organist, will be sufficient to check the current of harmony and disturb the devotions of the whole assembly. A harsh, squeaking, grating instrument, giving forth sounds to be excelled in repulsive roughness only by a cannon-borer or by a razor-grinder's wheel, will be still more efficacious in driving music entirely out of the church. And, lastly, a machine or barrel-organ, as being incapable of expression, or of conveying the impulse of mind and feeling, is open to all the objections already urged against a non-religious performer *. We recollect, in officiating for some months for an invalid friend, being compelled to listen, Sunday after Sunday, to the Then, again, whether the organ be good or bad, if 'the organist is unequal to its skilful management, and that too with sufficient ease to allow him to devote his attention principally to the subject matter, the religious usefulness of his accompaniment becomes very problematical. The worst conceivable case is that of a vile, discordant, and crazy instrument, in the hands of a contemptible and unskilful organist, accompanying a graceless band of ignorant and vain-glorious singers, in the attempted execution of music beyond the ability of one or the other to perform with decent propriety. In such a case, no matter what the style of music adopted, devotion is out of the question. The last circumstance which I shall mention, as militating against the prosperousness of legitimate church music, is one which must be touched with much tenderness: I mean the frequent meddling and painful interference with the musical department, on the part of men who yet frequently avow their entire unacquaintance with even the rudiments of the science, and who, notwithstanding, would fain exercise the same control over the music of the church as they claim over the details of their own dining-tables. If a man involved in an important law-suit were to call in the aid of counsel, would he dream of dictating to him the steps to be taken, or the pleas to be urged? Or if a sick man were to call in the aid of a physician, would he insist upon prescribing his own medicine? If he were so to act, the general sense of mankind would condemn him. And why does it not in the case of church music? Simply because the interests involved are not so obviously direct and tangible. tell that bear that I serve no longer." This leads to change, and change is itself an evil. New men, new measures; and although the change may be eventually for the better, yet, for a while at least, congregational singing will be put back. Nevertheless, in some instances, change cannot be too sweeping ere any improvement be attempted. Here let us close the catalogue of depressing infiuences; for, although still more might have been mentioned, more than enough have been adduced to account most satisfactorily for the present miserable condition of church music generally. The main question now naturally comes before us. What shall be done to produce amendment? The answer is obvious. As far as practicable, remove the causes of the evil. Secure judicious and efficient men to take the lead in this important department-men of religious principle as well as scientific attainments; and grudge not an adequate compensation for their services. Numbers of such men will gradually be raised up, if but the proper opening and call be made for them. Where the possession of both these qualifications, religious character and artificial skill, is so essential to the proper discharge of the duty, it is difficult to decide which is the most necessary. Certain it is that piety will not make a man a scientific musician, and equally so that proficiency in music does not necessarily imply devout affections. Happy would it be for us, were these attributes more commonly combined. But perfection is not to be attained in this sublunary would. The tares will continue to grow with the wheat until the time of harvest. Some good, however, may perhaps be done by the adoption of a more solemn mode of investing the musical officers of a church, than the undignified process of a simple hiring. Of old, there appears to have been a form when the chaunter of any place was chosen, almost approaching to the solemnity of an ordination. The charge prescribed for such occasions by the fourth council of Carthage ran thus, "Vide ut quod ore cantas, corde credas; et quod corde credas, opere comprobes. See that thou believe with thine heart what thou singest with thy mouth; and that what thou believest in thine heart, thou carry out in thy walk and conversation." It will be well if this can be rendered the prevailing sentiment of those who undertake the management of church music, although no such solemn charge have been administered to them on their induction to office. This point gained, or something as near to it as circumstances will permit, the other details to be attended to, are the number and the kind of tunes employed, and the quality of the accompaniment. As to the latter, if an organ be admitted, let it be a good one, capable of conveying the impress of mind and feeling, and of guiding and governing the voices of a multitude. Such an instrument, in good hands, will do much towards exciting the musical affections and sensibilities of the people, and directing them Sometimes the dictatorial interference complained of is exercised by men "clothed in a little brief authority," and sometimes by officious but non-official members of a congregation. In any case it is vexatious and mischievous in its operation. The performance of public duty with that degree of tranquillity and self-possession which it demands, is under such circumstances impracticable. The querulous and snarling censures of perhaps half a dozen ill-conditioned members of a congregation, and more especially the occasional preposterous exhibition of authority on the part of a clergyman, a vestryman, or an elder, must disturb and unsettle the mind of any man composed of materials less susceptible of impression than flint or granite. Organists and musical conductors have feelings as well as other men, a fact sometimes overlooked: nay, it may be that, from the very nature of their pursuits, keeping the nervous system in a state of continual excitement, they are peculiarly sensitive. Let it be remembered that, although they are the servants of the church, they are not the servants of every individual member of that body; that, in attempting to carry out the views of one, they will almost certainly incur the censure of another portion; and that nothing will more infallibly tend to offend all in turn, than a plastic, time-serving, men-pleasing disposition, yield-into proper channels. ing to every breath of popular opinion, and acting upon no settled principle. If a charge be committed to them, therefore, let them execute it in peace, to the extent of their respective abilities, so long as they may be retained in office; but, for pity's sake, torment them not. They are confessedly a genus irritabile," an excitable race; and if he who was "meek and lowly of heart" could speak of king Herod, "Go, tell that fox," it ought not to occasion surprise if a musician, worried and provoked beyond ordinary endurance, should at length exclaim, "Go, 66 grating grinding of a trumpery (so called) organ; the compass of which extended to ten what were once tunes, but all more or less dilapidated. The effect on our nervous system was most painfully distressing, but it was the gift of some | With respect to the tunes, and to the metres also, they should be, in the present state of society, comparatively few, and carrying a full harmony throughout, so as to encourage all the people to sing at all times during the psalmody. The number of tunes in the Moravian church is very considerable; but that circumstance cannot be drawn into example for us, unless we adopt their habits as a frequent churchgoing people. In their settlements I believe they attend services in the chapel (some of which consist entirely of liturgical singing) once or twice every day throughout the year, and on Sundays and festivals much more frequently. Thus their tunes are, as it were, ever on their lips. It is no part of my present plan to write techni grandees of the congregation, and its removal, poor groaning cally upon the proper structure of psalm and hymn creature, would have been an insult.-Ed. |