VOL. IX.

PUBLISHED MONTHLY, AT FIVE DOLLARS PER ANNUM, PAYABLE IN ADVANCE.

RICHMOND, APRIL, 1843.

THE RELIGIOUS USES OF MUSIC.

BY REV. E. L. MAGOON."

In this article we shall endeavor to consider simply the uses to be made of melody in the services of our holy religion; and we remark, in the first place, that Music has uses, because it has power. Whatever is powerful may be made useful, and its utility should be measured by its potency. By this rule let us estimate the value of music, by first examining its capacity to move.

NO. 4.

Instrumental accompaniments were invented to aid
the influence of voice and verse, and when all are
united in holy league, there is nothing earthly which
so effectually presents to our elevated conceptions
"That undisturbed song of pure consent,

Aye sung around the sapphire-colored throne,
To him that sits thereon.
Where the bright seraphim, in burning row,
Their loud, uplifted angel-trumpets blow;
And the cherubic hosts, in thousand choirs,
Touch their celestial harps of golden wires."

The department of public worship of which
we now speak is in harmony with the most uni-
versal and pervading element in the physical uni-
verse. Every ray of light; every particle of
rain, snow or vapor; every blade of grass that
grows; every leaf that expands; every rose that
blooms; the zephyrs that fan the gossamer, and
the bolt that rives the mountain crag; fountains
sparkling in the sun, and forests swaying before the
storm; the sighing reed and the heaving volcano;
the gleaming lake and the thunder of old ocean's
roar, are but different notes in the great anthem of
nature, which charms the ear of God. In the pre-
sence of its Creator, there is Music in every thing
that moves, and in every thing that grows. We
read how "the morning stars sang together, and
all the sons of God,"-the products of his crea-
tive power,-"
-"shouted for joy." It is the sublime
expression of Euripides, the Grecian poet, "Thee,
I invoke, thou self-created Being, who gave birth
to Nature, and whom light and darkness and the
whole train of globes and planets encircle with
eternal Music." A greater poet than he has added,

The history of Music is as ancient as the use of metals. By the Mosaic narrative, that primitive document of the human race, we learn that the descendants of Cain possessed both. But by the Music of the Cainites, we are not to understand our own more complicated and sublime forms of melody. Although Music was first applied sometimes to magical, or rather to medicinal, purposes, yet its principal application was to divine uses. All nations and sects have been as unanimous in the religious use of Music, as they have been diversified in their peculiar ceremonials and creeds. The greatest conqueror in the holy nation did not only compose the words of his divine odes, but generally set them to Music himself, and that which he consecrated to the service of the tabernacle became a national treasure, and the stimulant of universal praise. Even Pagan poets intimate how Music should be applied, when they represent the Muses as surrounding Jupiter, and warbling their hymns about his throne. The holy Scriptures come to us filled with "psalms and hymns and spiritual songs." Four thousand of the best musicians in the nation of the Jews led in the solemn "There's not the smallest orb which thou behold'st, temple service. Israel mingled the symphonies of But in his motion, like an angel, sings, tymbrel and triumphant song with the murmurs Still choiring to the young-eyed cherubim." of the subsiding billows on the shore of that sea Architecture has been compared to "frozen Muwhich had just swallowed their Egyptian foe. sic," and even in such a congealed state it is gloDavid made his palace melodious with the rever-rious; but in its more liquid form, Music is beauty berations of his imperial harp. Isaiah sang the to the ear, as beauty is Music to the eye. When it elegy of Jerusalem's destruction in tones that is really well executed, there are no surer wings went resounding to the skies; and the imprisoned than seraphic sounds, to lift the soul to heaven. Apostles, Paul and Silas, made the jail at Philippi Sounds closely resemble feelings, since both are vibrate to the glorious Music which chains could invisible, and sounds are the very element in which not bind nor midnight conceal. And when "God the feelings live and move. Hence Music easily manifest in the flesh" abolished the ritual of a dis-enters the seat of feeling, and while we listen we pensation which had mainly gone to decay, he re- become melodious with inarticulate rapture, and cognized and reanimated that which was most di- are borne on the stream of expressive harmony. vine, its Music, and at the point of transition from Music is the revelation of the adoration of heaven; old to new, from obsolete ceremony to perpetual and why should it not form part of the worship of duty, he "sung an hymn ;" and when he had gone the saints in this world of darkness and death? to Gethsemane, to Calvary, and to Heaven, he left Its more assiduous cultivation and holy use would the melody of rapturous song, to accompany, as it have a wonderful effect in improving our taste, as had commenced, the dispensation of eternal life. well as in creating a more general relish for what

VOL. IX-25

in every age has been deemed the most ennobling

It is well known, that if a native of Switzer

of pursuits, and the highest of all artificial enjoy- land, when in foreign lands, hears the wild and simments. It is this which

exalts each joy, allays each grief, Expels diseases, softens every pain, Subdues the rage of poison and the plague; And hence the wise of ancient days ador'd One power of physic-Melody and Song." Music brightens the blind man's gloom, and vives the veteran's joy. The peasant, as he goes whistling to his task, feels less of his weariness; and the tired slave grows happy, if he can but chime his toils with his animated song. The prisoner, far down in the gloomy mines, can sing his griefs to rest; and when other eloquence avails not to rouse a nation to a sense of its wrongs, Music, piping in cave and tower, will send the inspiration of liberty to the oppressed, and the shrill cry of redress to the abused. The wise are made wiser by its power; and its ennobling influence will leave the traces of beauty even in

"The mouldy vaults of the dull idiot's brain."

ple notes of the Ranchez-Vaches, which, played upon the Alpine horn, had charmed him in his infancy, the most ardent and ungovernable longing is excited once more to climb the cliffs and navigate the waters of his native canton. And it has been said by one who well understood the moral re-effect of Music, that in Germany this delightful science creates for the care-worn laborer another and a better world, a middle region between this earth where wealth and the enjoyments it procures are allotted to the few, while to the many are assigned privations, contumelies, irremediable poverty, and that future world where Equality, that banished exile from the earth, has fixed its only and last abode. It is to that ideal region that the Gerof melody, by the soft voices of his wife, daughman peasant's mind is gently wafted on the wings ters and sons, together with the strains of his own flute or hautboy. The great English poet recorded eternal truth in the lines which declare that there is Nought so stockish, hard, and full of rage,

In the second place, Music has religious uses, because it is potent in its influence upon natural character, the intellect and the soul.

But Music for the time doth change his nature:
The man that hath no Music in himself,
Nor is not mov'd with concord of sweet sounds,
Is fit for treasons, stratagems and spoils;
The motions of his spirit are dull as night,
And his affections dark as Erebus:
Let no such man be trusted."

Our second remark under this head relates to the influence of Music on the human intellect. All good men, in every age, have felt that this power is great. The prophets, as is seen in the first chapter of Ezekiel, took their station by the side of majestic rivers, that in the stillness and delightful scenery around them, they might, through the soft murmur of the water, be refreshed, enli

testimony of President Edwards will illustrate this position. "I felt God, so to speak, at the first appearance of a thunder-storm; and used to take the opportunity, at such times, to fix myself in order to view the clouds, and see the lightnings play, and hear the majestic and awful voice of God's thunder, which often times was exceedingly entertain

It is a fact, palpable to the most superficial observation, that Music has a strong moulding influence on natural character. God has constructed us alive to its influence. The love of Music is a sign of a good disposition; the practice of it will improve a bad one. Wonderfully does it possess a humanizing and polishing power. Polybius tells us that this beautiful science was early taught to the children in Arcadia, and by this means that people became the most amiable of the Greeks. Pythagoras used it always before going to bed. The students in the ancient schools of the prophets gave great attention to the cultivation of Music. vened, and prepared for the Divine ecstacies. The Hence Samuel said to Saul, at a certain place, "Thou shalt meet a company of prophets coming down from the high place with a psaltery, and a tabret, and a pipe, and a harp before them; and they shall prophesy; and the spirit of the Lord shall come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man." And in the second book of Kings we find Elisha calling in a devout Le-ing, leading me to sweet contemplation of my glovite, to play and sing before him, to calm and raise his spirits, to receive the message of the Almighty. "But now bring me a minstrel. And it came to pass, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the Lord came upon him." When Saul was exas- A like sovereignty over intellect is latent in superated and lashed into fury by his own strong pas-perior instrumental or vocal Music. Milton listened sions, David came before him with his sweet harp to his organ for his solemn inspiration; Bourdaand holy song. These were potent to chase away loue used his violin freely before preaching to the the evil spirit, and calm the ruffled temper. Op- intellectual court; Lord Bacon had music often pressed by the mournful distress of Israel and played in the room adjoining his study; and LeoJudah, the great prophet called for Music on an narda de Vinci painted most sublimely when meinstrument of ten strings" to compose his soul after lodious notes resounded most profusely near his zealous agitation, that he might be put into a meet studies. Regaling the weary with sweet Music is condition to receive the calm visions of God. like besprinkling a close apartment with odorife

rious God. While thus engaged, it always seemed natural to me to sing or chant forth my meditations, or to put my thoughts in soliloquies with a singing voice."

rous water; the heat that enervates is dispersed, with error, he gave utterance to thoughts, otherand fragrant energy stimulates the gratified sense. wise unutterable, through the notes of his flute. The following are words of truth which Chrysos- He says that the devils fled from his flute. Betom, the distinguished Greek father, uttered long tween Music and martyrdom his great soul vibrated, ago. "No one of the slothful multitude ever de- full of confidence, and entranced with glory; and parted from the church retaining a prophetic or between these poles of his existence there were apostolic sentence; but verses of the psalms they more than continents of rapture for him to enjoy. chant at home, and repeat when passing through “Come," said he, one day to Melancthon, as the the forum. If a man be inflamed with anger, if he storm of persecution thickened most frightfully, be infuriate with rage;-should a holy psalm steal" Come, let us sing the forty-sixth Psalm and let on his ear melodious, tranquil he departs, subdued earth and hell do their worst."

and harmonized by music's power." This good, man had experienced something of that influence

which

- comes o'er the ear like the sweet south, That breathes upon a bank of violets, Stealing and giving odor."

The invigorating influence of Music was well understood by Milton, and is thus described by him in Paradise Regained.

The schools of ancient sages; he who bred
Great Alexander to subdue the world
Lyceum there, and painted Stoa next;
There thou shalt hear and learn the secret power
Of harmony in tones and numbers hit,
By voice or hand, and various measur'd verse,
Lolian charms and Dorian lyric odes."

It is wrong to suppose that good Music has a tendency to make its admirer effeminate. On the contrary, it is the most bracing and energetic species of eloquence. The Hallelujah Chorus in Handel's Messiah has often brought vast audiences In the third place, we plead for sacred Music unconsciously to their feet; and Hayden's Crea- because it has a high use in its direct influence on tion, Beethoven's Oratories, and Mosart's Requiem the soul. Thanks be to God!-there is such a touch at once the intellect and heart with a talis- thing in this fallen world as pure, spiritual, sublime manic power greater than would the light, the sea- devotion, and this should be the soul of all our pubsons, or even the crucifixion, which, through sounds, lic worship. Whatever conduces to the cultivathey represent. To have this effect, however, tion of religious feeling is neither to be neglected Music must be deep and honest. Imagination and nor despised; and it would be well if all cou.d the skill of profound and spontaneous emotion must verify the agreeable truth that, "as nightingales tove in the strains which are designed to move sing sweetest where there is an echo, so do our others. The Marseilles hymn became the migh-hearts speak most audibly where Music is around ty inspiration of the French Revolution, because them." Sacred melody strengthens devotion, adit first sprang from a soul of fire, and was repeated vances praise into rapture, repeats every act of by those who were full of feeling. Sophocles worship, and embalins in the mind more lasting imgave a tremendous effect to vocal thought when pressions, than those which accompany transient sang to the Music of his lyre in the chorus of forms of words, uttered in homily or creed. The his own tragedies. Solon and Timotheus of Ar- fear, love, sorrow, and indignation which are awacadia, in like manner, produced an overwhelming kened in the mind by hymns and anthems, make influence on large auditories of most illustrious the heart better, and create aspirations based on persons. We have ourselves seen a most thrill- causes the most rational and praiseworthy. Thus ing impression produced on three thousand highly in innocence, pleasure and duty may go hand in cultivated citizens while one gentleman sang "The hand, and the greater our satisfaction is, the holier Angel's Whisper," accompanied by the soft touches may be our religion. Christianity requires us to of his wife's piano. The Spartan troops marched to the sound of flutes when they went to the most deadly strifes; and moral heroes have found high inspiration in melodious tones.

he

abase ourselves in humility, but not to debase ourselves, nor to degrade the noblest cause by a Vandal-like contempt for what God in nature and art has created beautiful and good.

Music was a powerful auxiliary in securing the The sermon is designed to teach theological triumph of the Protestant Reformation. There is principles and practical morality; prayers are the more of Luther's soul in the "Old Hundred" he medium of acceptable worship; but the nearest composed than in any other single work. It is approach that earthly beings can make to the adosublimely interesting to contemplate that great re- ration of angels, is, when they lift their hearts former with Music for his solace and inspiration, with their voices in solemn thankfulness to Aland the conversion of universal opinion for his mighty God. The old Cameronians, those heroitask. When he could no longer write, by reason cal fathers of Scottish piety, were so fully conof exhaustion, he sang. When he had wearied him-scious of this, that in the midst of the greatest self in struggling with his own great conceptions personal dangers they would unanimonsly lift up a of truth, or when he was prostrated in antagonizing full chorus in singing their psalms. English sol

diers were frequently by this means guided to the was accustomed to spend whole days alone in the dens and caves where those persecuted Christians cathedral at Salisbury, and he has left it on record, were concealed, when the solitude of night on the "that his time spent in prayer, and church Music, mountains was broken by peals of melody, poured elevated his soul, and was his heaven upon earth." from hearts that felt, from lips now eloquent in The power of cultivating sweet melody is the chanting the anthems of heaven. glorious prerogative of intelligent beings. No aniThe empire of Music extends beyond the grave.mal can keep time in his walk or other motions. Its influence is more direct, and perhaps more ennobling than any other of the fine arts. The sister powers indirectly move ideas; this grasps at once with strongest hold upon the soul. Next to divine grace, it possesses the mightiest transforming power. Music doubles our conception of the faculties of the soul, and makes us feel capable of the noblest efforts. It is incapable in itself of expressing meanness, and never utters falsehood. Through its harmony we make the nearest discovery of the secret of the Creator, and most profoundly penetrate the mystery of life. The powers of music have never been exercised in their highest perfection, until they have been devoted to the services of religion. In this, their high subordination, the humble Christian will feel

And takes in strains that might create a soul
Under the ribs of death."

The most solemn and judicious preaching will generally do no more than fill the fountains of the attentive soul; it is often the prerogative of Music to break these fountains, and give vent to penitence or joy, or both combined. Hence the custom is a very laudable one, to commence public services with a pious chant. It prepares the general mind for the reception of Divine truth. It diffuses a

The birds do not keep time in their songs. Even the Music of the spheres is irregular; but the supremacy of mind is developed in self-control, and in the harmony of measured praise. The sacred writers have been careful to point out this exercise as a part of religious duty. "Awake up, my glory," said David, "I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being." The apostle, addressing the Ephesians, described how they might glorify God in their body while "speaking to themselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in their heart to the Lord." And there can be no doubt that as long as public wor ship remains to us a privilege and a duty, we should serve the Lord with gladness, and come before his presence with singing."

Having thus spoken of the uses of Music, let me, before closing, mention several particulars requisite to render sacred Music useful. These, among others, are expression, distinct accentuation, and profound emotion.

In the first place, much depends upon giving spe cific expression to what we sing. Every piece of sacred composition has a particular sentiment to be expressed, and regard should always be had to this in our attempts at harmonious utterance. It is the same in that department of God's great choir which is found in nature. Every bird that sings expresses its own peculiar existence by a peculiar note. How different are the tones of the mother-bird, as she mourns the loss of her stolen young, from those with which she ordinarily calls them. Sounds become musical by their richness, clearness, individual fullness; by their relation to each other; by rhythm, time, and melody; by their transitions and expressive modifications.

calmness over turbulent feelings, and dissipates When this peculiar excellence of public singing those vain and sinful thoughts which prevent a is neglected, much of its power is entirely lost. suitable performance of that great duty of thanks- When good sentiments are strikingly expressed, giving to our Heavenly Father for the infinite stores the profligate even will be startled as if an angel of blessings he has bestowed. It would be well spoke. A young wanderer, under the covert of for us to profit by the hints in the poet's descrip- night, was wending his way in New-York to the tion of angelic worship. doors of hell, when he chanced to pass under a window where virtue sang with touching tones that beautiful piece" Home, Sweet Home." He felt that "Sure something holy lodges in that breast, And with these raptures moves the vocal air To testify the hidden residence."

Then crowned again, their golden harps they took,
Harps ever tun'd, that, glittering by their side,
Like quivers hung, and with preamble sweet,

With charming symphony they introduce
The sacred song, and waken raptures high:
No one exempt, no voice but well could join
Melodious part-such concord is in Heaven."
The influence of such spiritual worship is of the
worthiest kind. The good Herbert of England

Music shattered the obduracy of his heart; he grew penitent as he listened, and immediately returned to God, and found a home in the joys of s virtuous life.

There is no more powerful auxiliary to the preaching of the Gospel, than good Music; and there are few obstacles so insurmountable and repulsive as bad psalmody. The most eloquent sermon ever preached may be counteracted by an inappropriate tune, badly sung. A whole week's study and the solicitude of months may be entirely frustrated by discordant attempts at Music, over which the intelligent minister would sit down in his palpit and weep.

and no solace is so sweet, as the soothing and animated tones of Music.

Musical talent should be more sought out and brought into requisition in the high praises of the sanctuary of God. There is no danger of too much sanctified Music. God is never offended with too highly cultivated praise. Instead of mere sound give us real melody, and it will never be too abundant. We have been accustomed to worship where their was a choir of two hundred, chanting In order to secure the expression so desirable, we to the mellow thunder of an organ that made the must, in the second place, acquire the power of dis- whole house quake, and there was neither confutinct accentuation. The great advantage of vocal sion, discord, nor oppressive notes in those songs Music lies in its capacity of speaking words and of glorious praise. There is already an evident sentiments, of instructing while it delights. But improvement in the sacred Music of the South, this advantage is lost if those who sing do not give and the cause should be well sustained. The cusproper accent to what they express. This excel-tom of having oratorios is a good one. As the lence relates to the manner in which sounds are uttered, without reference to their loudness, or softness, or to their pitch in the Musical scale. The same note may be struck on a drum, with a glove or with a stick, but the accent of it will be very different. The note of a harpsichord may be the same as that of a piano-forte, but the accent differs widely, because the sound of one is produced by a quill, the other by a hammer. The object of Music, in the church as elsewhere, is to give increased effect to the sentiments expressed by the words. This requires that every note should be struck with confidence, distinctness, and

Thirdly, that all should be uttered with appropriate and sincere emotion. Some of the best composers of Music in the world seem to be most influenced by this truth; and, in order to give the right tone to their accompaniment, first commit to memory the thought and language they are to sing. They first give themselves up entirely to the impression produced by the language committed to their skill, and then utter it melodiously to the tune of the spontaneous Music of their enraptured soul. In speaking and singing, we must first deeply feel what we would have strongly move. What we borrow from others must be again, as it were, born in us, to produce effect. Imitation of excellence is always impotent to do good. Art cannot possess efficiency independent of nature. In eloquence and Music we can give nothing to our fellow men but ourselves.

There can be but little well-grounded hope for the existence of high Musical excellence in this community until Musical education is earlier commenced, more assiduously cultivated, and the harmony of Divine love is more deeply implanted in our souls by the Holy Spirit.

The elements of Music should mingle freely with all other elements of youthful education. Children should be taught to sing as well as to talk, read and pray. Christians in general, and parents in particular, should be watchful over the harmonious education of youth. No recreation is so innocent,

public taste is improved, Music will be more and more appreciated. The most Gothic and disgraceful of all prejudices, is the strange prejudice against harmonious tones,-it always springs from discordant if not degraded souls. Had we more fre-, quent Musical entertainments among us, they would not a little purify and exalt our passions; give our thoughts a holier turn, and cherish those Divine impulses in the soul, which are felt by those who are not stultified in ignorance or stupified by sensual pleasure.

Finally, we need more of the melody of Divine love in the soul, created by the Holy Spirit. This will render the sense of duty acute, and all who feel it will contribute in every possible way to render public worship attractive, and the ordinances of our holy religion productive of universal good. Under its peaceable influence prejudices will disappear; all who can sing will be magnanimous enough to consecrate their talents on a common altar; fickleness will give place to fervency, and one desire to glorify God will possess the public mind.

Let the writer remind his readers that there is one place in the universe of the Almighty where there is no singing. Let him warn you of sin aud its dreadful results, and earnestly entreat you who sing on earth, so to utter the accents of contrition and the raptures of renovating love, that you may be prepared forever to sing "the song of Moses and the Lamb."

Richmond, Feb., 1843.

ARTESIAN WELLS.

These are so called from Artois, in France, where they were first used. They are deep, slender bores in the earth, descending hundreds of feet, until they reach some vein of water, which commenced in some higher place than the well's mouth. Of course, this water, tending to seek the

level of its source, rises, and runs out at the top of the bore-sometimes in a decided jet. Such a well was finished a few months ago, at Eutaw, in Greene county, Alabama; 224 feet deep, and yielding a large supply of good water.