תמונות בעמוד
PDF
ePub

Here is seen the grand secret of devotional influences in religious song. Taste and sentimentality may answer the ends of a fictitious or imaginative religion, but in the worship of the heart-searching God, they must be subjected to the habitual control of influences of a deeper and more definite character.

And now, when it is remembered, that such delightful scenes as the one we have just described are of rare occurrence, and that, in the multitude of cases, appearance in favor of spirituality are of a questionable nature; and when it is remembered, too, that in thousands of instances this whole interest is confided to hands which are indolent and unskilful, to minds that are ignorant and froward, and to hearts that are wholly wanting in religious sensibility; what more need be said to prove the necessity of a speedy, thorough, and extensive reformation among the churches, in regard to this portion of our religious exercises?

We shall still be met, perhaps, by objections founded on the consideration of music as a fine art. In many districts of country, it will be said, there is already no inconsiderable amount of cultivation. Very creditable progress has been made by the indefatigable exertions of individuals; and shall we still demand greater efforts and sacrifices? Should we not thus elevate the standard of excellence, so far above the reach of ordinary attainment, as to discourage in others all expectation of success? And even if

the standard of excellence were thus to be elevated, is it probable that religious influences would thereby be increased? Might they not rather be expected to diminish in proportion to the increase of professional skill and tasteful sentimentality?

These are, indeed, weighty questions; but, without answering them in detail, we may be permitted to affirm, that wherever the grand specific object of cultivation is not attained, something important yet remains to be done. Let us, however, not be misunderstood. We are not pleading for the greatest possible amount of cultivation. We ask rather for that in kind, which is specifically appropriate to the great ends in view. Assuming this attitude, our demands will not be thought unreasonable. Much, indeed, might be said as to the amount of cultivation. We might justly claim for music a higher standing among the liberal arts than it has hitherto acquired in this country; and we might insist on a far wider diffusion of knowledge respecting it; but we have chosen rather to base the present argument upon the one principle, that, cultivation, indispensable as it is, must be rightly directed. The amount actually needed may not everywhere be the same; nor need it ever be required to exceed the ordinary limits of human ability.

In secular music we look for genius, for execution, and for imaginative sentimentality; but in music which is properly religious, we look for impressive

illustrations of the themes of song in connection with influences which are truly devotional. In the one department, therefore, the attention is chiefly employed with the higher refinements of melody, harmony, and rhythm, as indispensable to distinguished excellence, while little attention is paid to vocal themes; but in the other department, the themes. should command the greatest amount of attention, while the harmony, melody, and rhythm, should be so simple as to require a less amount of practice. In the one case the voice, regarded as a musical instrument, is subjected chiefly to such exercises as tend to develop its power and fit it for the higher and more difficult purposes of execution; in the other, it should be regarded as the instrument of vocal elocution, to which melody, harmony, and rhythm, are rather subsidiary. A little attention bestowed in this way, may effect more in point of religious edification, than years of effort in the other direction. The performance of solos, duets, trios, and solo passages, too, which form the glory of the one department, demands far greater skill than that of simultaneous execution, which more generally prevails in the other. While, therefore, we say that something remains to be done, even where there has been much cultivation, we must be understood as referring to the economy of effort, rather than to the amount of it. We ask that effort may be rightly directed, and prosecuted in the right

spirit, with reference to Christian edification. This is a demand which no one will deem unreasonable.

Without any further consideration of the above objection, then, we are prepared for the conclusion of the argument in favor of reform in religious music, to which we have all along been endeavoring to bring our readers. We are well aware that individual instances may be found, where the claims of devotional song, are understood and honored; and where, in consequence, the most delightful results of religious edification are enjoyed. These are verdant spots which render the surrounding barrenness more visible. And when we allude to the thousand churches in the land, where the simplest rudiments of the art are scarcely known; and to the thousand more, where the specific claims of religious responsibility are forgotten, amidst the laborious details of a secularizing cultivation, we feel that nothing more need be said, to show that the prevailing methods of management are not sufficiently adapted to the important ends of Christian edification. To our own view, the argument is conclusive. The full results contemplated in the office of sacred praise, are not generally realized; the causes of failure have been spread before us, and efficient remedies have been suggested, which lie within the sphere of ordinary attainment. It now only remains for us to speak of these remedies in detail.

CHAPTER XVII.

METHODS OF IMPROVEMENT IN DEVOTIONAL MUSIC.

THERE has long existed in the public mind, if we mistake not, a general conviction that the proper results of religious music are not fully realized; and that measures of some kind ought to be devised towards remedying the deficiency. Individuals have often felt the necessity of exertion, but have been so surrounded with unfavorable circumstances, as to be in doubt how they should act. Some, through the want of systematic co-operation, have become active to little purpose; and others have equally failed through improper management. But amid all the variety of circumstances, there are certain important things which can be done for the improvement of religious music, and which if duly achieved, would not fail to secure the desired end. In speaking of these, we shall occasionally copy from our own remarks, which are found in a late number of the Biblical Repository.

I. Correct information should be widely diffused. Lectures and schools, the religious press and the pulpit, may furnish every facility which is needed.

« הקודםהמשך »