| Citation |
CJ-NH.771.024
22 Nov 1771:312 (214)
A letter to a member of the first society in New-Haven, on
the subject of singing. New Haven, 15 Nov. 1771.
Dear Sir, As I have been a fellow worshiper with you for
upwards of 40 years, and with joy, beheld your orderly
behaviour and stedfast faith, even in the most fluctuating
times, I was something surprised, when I heard that you
expressed yourself with so much warmth, on the subject of
regular singing. To hear, that Hosannas to the Son of David
in the temple, sung by children, should be disagreeable to
one of his disciples, is strange: and, I think, ought to put
the good man upon examining, whether there is not some
unhappy ingredient mixed with his pious zeal. The exceptions
to the introduction of regular singing, that I have heard
of, are three: that it is popish; that but a small part of
the congregation can join in the worship; that they use
singing books. As to the first, I heartily wish, that people
generally understood better, what popery is, than, I
imagine, they do. Popery, I suppose, may be considered as
internal, and external. . . [24 more lines explain "internal
popery"] As to external popery, it is so much better known
than the other, that I will not take up the time to describe
it' and will only observe, that their using the scriptures
and singing and saying their prayers in an unknown tongue,
as it is the greatest absurdity of the kind that deluded
mortals fall into. . . [6 more lines] Now it may become us
all to examine whether we are not guilty of popery in some
sense, not only in singing, but in every part of worship.
He that sings, only for the sake of the melody, without
attending to the matter of the psalm, the disposition of his
heart, and the glorious object of worship, and thinks God
will hear and favourably regard him, is no better than a
papist, that says his prayers in a language he understands
not one word of; and so of prayer and the other parts of
worship. It is not the manner of singing, nor the tune, tho'
it be well adapted to the subject, but an attention and
devout heart that consecrates the sacrifice and renders it
acceptable thro' Christ.
As to the second exception, I confess there is something in
it; but perhaps not so much as the objector thinks. For, as
with us, every line is distinctly read before it is sung, he
that cannot sing with his voice, may sing with his
understanding, if I may so express it. I mean he may connect
the melody with every syllable and feel the warm devotion of
a pious heart, as well as in prayer when only one speaks. It
is certain, that in the temple worship there were singing
men and women who were trained up for that purpose, and
portions assigned them for their maintenance; and it is not
probable that the whole body of the people sung with them.
As to the third exception, I suppose it will vanish of
itself in a short time. I may perhaps send you some further
remarks on the subject, and the singing. In the mean time I
hope you will treat this with candor. I am, with true
christian complaisance, your affectionate brother in our
common Lord. [signed] J.H.
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