among musicians, though not real christians, may still remain and assist in the performances with becoming solemnity, while those who choose to separate themselves may do so without finding any real cause for complaint. The necessity of abiding by this rule is, in every possible case, absolute and indispensable. Not one step can be taken towards a radical reform without it. Set aside this rule, and you open the door at once for every species of influence in the whole circle of musical refinement, which is foreign from the purposes of devotion. Here is the very rock upon which every enterprise of reform has hitherto failed. Nothing, absolutely nothing, can be effected without the entire predominance of christian influence. Well conducted Sunday schools and Bible classes, and meetings for social religious conference, where the influences of the Spirit are really felt, may serve to exemplify the character of the meetings here required. The christian who lives near to God delights to visit such places when every thing is regular, solemn and impressive; but how is his heart pained when the savour of vital godliness is wanting! He is quick to discover it when it exists, and nothing can satisfy him when it is withdrawn. 4. The exact manner in which religious influence is to be promoted must, in some measure, depend upon circumstances. Then, as in other religious meetings, different persons may adopt different methods, and yet the same ends be accomplished. In all cases, however, the voice of prayer, instruction and exhortation must be intermingled more or less with the voice of song. All who wish to be benefited must frequently meet together at the request of their pastor; and if any are not willing thus to meet, perhaps the time may at length come when it will be found expedient to request them to remain silent on the Sabbath. Where the singing has been conducted with a choir, a considerable number of whom give evidence of piety, and all maintain a character for decency and outward morality, the choir should have its own separate meetings for improvement, and special efforts should also be made for replenishing its numbers. Most choirs are too small and too little disciplined. Children and youth, as well as adults, should be instructed, and schools for this purpose should every where be constituted under the care of pious teachers, when these can be obtained. At least the teachers should be such as seriously respect religion; and if this is the case, the clergyman or some of the lay members can lend the necessary influence by leading in prayer and offering an occasional word of instruction or exhortation. Indeed elementary schools of this character are every where indispensable. However the singing may have hitherto been conducted, whether by a choir or by a whole congregation, or by both united, there must be trained up a select number of performers, whose talents and influence shall be such as future circumstances may require. Doubtless great improvements might also be made in the method of teaching. 5. There is, at the present time, some difficulty to be apprehended in obtaining good teachers. The number of these, however, has been latterly increasing. Twenty years ago, there could scarcely be found an eminent musician who was distinguished for piety; at present, several of the first musicians of the country are no less eminent for their christian standing in the churches than for their musical attainments. An unprecedented number of pious youth are also now preparing for this department of labour; and the numbers would soon be found to increase with the progress of reform. But besides these considerations, which are certainly encouraging, it should be recollected that a very small number of teachers would suffice for the commencement of the work. One only, whose influence is of a commanding character, would serve for the partial superintendence of all the schools embraced in a general association. The introduction of the monitorial plan of instruction might afford still further facilities. Choristers and private singers would thus act as temporary instructers, and at the same time be fitting themselves for a higher charge. We speak advisedly on this subject, and ours is the language of personal experience, not of visionary speculation. But 6. We have said that the schools should have their separate meetings for improvement. It is no less important for them, as has also been intimated, to meet often in connexion with the whole church and congregation. The manner of conducting such meetings has been specified, so far as regards the commencement of the work of cultivation. when a school has made considerable advances in the art, the church and congregation must be apprized of the fact; and be induced, through their example, as explained and illustrated by the teacher, to sing collectively, in an improved manner. This, though an undertaking of some delicacy, is W by no means impracticable. It was accomplished by the ancient Jews, by the primitive christians and by the modern reformers. Examples of the kind are still found in Europe; and they are not altogether unknown in our own country. Only let a high measure of christian influence be carried into the meetings, and the work can be easily accomplished. Let the devotional exercises be entirely separated from the business of criticism, that the heart may be at full liberty to pour itself out before God: but in some of the brief intervals for the business of necessary practice, let the criticisms and illustrations be presented before the meeting in an acceptable manner, and the majority of the numbers present will soon be found to possess the powers of successful imitation. At this stage of improvement the cultivated singers will occasionally sing by themselves a few lines or stanzas of a delicate character, while the congregation are ready, at some concerted signal, to join in full chorus. Sometimes the cultivated singers may also be divided according to ancient custom, into two bands, and placed opposite to each other, in the extreme parts of the house, with the congregation between them. Here they may sometimes sing in response, and at other times together, or with the whole assembly, after the manner of the prophets, apostles and reformers. The following two stanzas will illustrate this method of perform ance: 1st Band alone. 2d Band, as if by objection."Through floods and flames the passage lies," An occasional recurrence to this method would be attended with the happiest results. How far it should be re stored to the church is a point which, like many others, must be determined by experience. The same, too, may be said as to the frequency of the meetings we have been describing. Every thing of this nature must be managed in such a way as at once to keep up the general interest, and secure the great ends of spiritual worship. 7. Similar meetings to those we have just described should occasionally be held by deputations from the auxiliary societies. The advantages of such a measure must appear sufficiently obvious. These meetings would, of course, be made to differ entirely from the popular concerts of the day; which, under the pretence of sacred music, are really secular in their character and influence. Let there be no rhetorical flourishes from the pulpit on these occasions. Let there be no passing of compliments, or commendations, or criticisms among the people assembled, and no efforts of display among the singers. Let all the business of the day, the prayers, the exhortations, and the performances, be conducted in the most solemn manner, as in the presence of the heart-searching God. Such meetings cannot fail to give increasing impulse to the work of reform; and they will do perhaps more than every thing else towards enabling us to make practical discriminations in the manner of our performances. 8. In the selection of tunes, recourse must first be had to the simplest of the approved specimens, and in afterwards proceeding to such pieces as are more refined or intricate, reference must continually be had to the immediate production of devotional interest. Music may be intrinsically excellent, and yet be ill adapted to the public taste, or to the circumstances of the choir or congregation. It may also be elaborate to little purpose, or simple without effect. Much, also, that is applied to sacred words, and associated with names of the highest celebrity, will be found to answer almost any other purpose than that of real worship or religious edification. If the selection of the tunes is wholly fortuitous, such, also, it is probable, will be the result of the performances. Or if the selection is left wholly to the decision of mere amateurs, then there will be endless differences of opinion, without accomplishing the chief end in view. But let the experience of results actually witnessed by the numbers associated be made the criterion, and there will be unanimity of feeling and of effort, and the great ends of selection and adaptation will thus be, in a measure, answered. 9. When the principles of reform, as thus laid down, shall have been carried so thoroughly into the schools and the meetings as to produce in some measure the anticipated result, then, and not till then, should a change in the order of things be attempted at church on the Sabbath. A disregard to this rule has often led to disastrous consequences. A church, for instance, has sometimes been known to rise up suddenly to effect a reform, without plan or concert, and to drive out the singers from the orchestra, without having any thing prepared as a substitute. But let every arrangement be first matured. Let the required influence be carefully cultivated and secured; let a band of singers, composed of suitable persons, receive the necessary instruction; and let leaders be appointed, and thoroughly drilled to their employment; let all this be done, and then not the smallest difficulty need be anticipated. Some plan may then be adopted by the general consent, at least for a time, as an experiment. Afterwards, if necessary, another plan can be substituted in its place; and this again, if need be, can be laid aside for a third, and that for a fourth, till the best practicable method shall have been thus discovered. Where there is an organ, the player must, by all means, be made to co-operate systematically, thoroughly, and sincerely, or be dismissed from the service. Something more than mere professional skill must be required of him. Indeed, there is much, very much of this, which must be laid aside, while there must be substituted in the place of it, chaste simplicity, and perfect consentaneousness of purpose, if he would not defeat the whole object of this enterprize. And when we reflect how much power there is thus entrusted to the player, and how few there are to be found who would not persist in abusing this power, we may well call in question the propriety of the general introduction of the organ into our churches, at least till experience has given us further proof of its practical utility. Congregations that have hitherto employed the organ, either with or without a choir, will generally find their advantage in placing one band of singers in the orchestra, and another (a smaller one perhaps) in the opposite end of the house below. Here each band may have its leader; the leaders can readily co-operate with each other, and the bands can sing separately or consentaneously; and, by a concerted signal, the whole congregation can unite as occasion re |