| Citation |
BNL.763.039
29 Sep 1763:13 (3119)
[from] Chrononhotonthologos.
As singing is very much in vogue at present, and makes a
considerable part of our public worship; it would be of
great advantage to have an uniformity, respecting the
posture of our bodies, in the performance of that animating
part of devotion. Some persons (and not a few) still
stedfastly adhere to the good old way of sitting, or as some
call it, lolling to sing; others would perswade mankind,
that they have so much regard for the object of our praises,
as to think such a posture highly indecent; and would
therefore introduce another posture, namely, standing: Of
this sort is a writer in the Massachusetts Gazette of Aug.
18. who not thinking his own opinion sufficient of itself to
introduce people to conform to it, has adduced divers texts
of scripture to support it. it is almost surprizing that a
gentleman who is so old-fashioned, as to plead for the
continuance of an antiquated and useless sett of church-
officers, viz. elders, should at the same time be so new
fashion'd as to be in love with the posture of standing to
sing; but it is said that some people are naturally so short
of stature, as to be scarce visible when sitting in the
congregation; and therefore take up with the fashion of
standing to sing, that they may the better shew their
important, selves, and attract the eyes of the beholders;
however, be that as it will, I can't persuade myself to
think that the texts of scripture which he has alleged,
prove any thing more than that he knows whereabouts in the
Bible to find them. I humbly apprehend that every body has
an equal right with this gentleman to give their opinion
concerning the propriety of any kind of posture, which is or
may be used in the aforementioned act of divine worship; on
this account I have been long endeavouring to satisfy myself
what posture is the most proper, and upon the strictest
enquiry I have been able to make, it appears to me that
Prostration is the most humble and reverend posture in which
a creature can adore its creator, and therefore ought to be
thus recommended for general use, when we " sing our
prayers." Nor is this opinion founded on mere conjecture,
it receives the greatest encouragement from the divine
oracles. Not to mention the instances of holy Job, and the
Apostle Peter, it is abundantly evident from several texts
which I shall quote from the revelation of St. John, that
this is the adoring posture of the glorified inhabitants of
the New Jerusalem. Chap. iv. ver. 10. The four and twenty
elders fell down before him that sat on the throne, and
worshipped him that liveth forever and ever--Chap. 5 ver.
8,9--the four beasts and twenty four elders fell down before
the Lamb--and they sung a new song--Ver 14. And the 24
Elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth forever and
ever. Ch 7. ver. 11. And all the angels stood round about
the throne, and the elders, and the 4 beasts fell before the
throne on their faces and worshipped God. Ch. 19. ver. 4.
And the twenty four elders, and the four beasts, fell down
and worshipped God that sat on the throne saying Amen.
Alleluia.----Now whether the example of these glorious
beings be, or be not a sufficient evidence, that the posture
of Prostration is the most proper posture for creatures,
whether mortal or immortal, to adore their creator, and
consequently, whether my opinion concerning it is, or is
not, well-founded remains with the impartial public to be
determined'
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