A View of Modern Psalmody Author:William Cole Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: I REMARKS ON THE USE OF AN ORGAN. 43 SECTION III. RKUARKS ON THE USE OF AN ORGAN Iff RELIGIOUS WORSHIP. Although, as we have attempted to prove, we a... more »dmit, generally., the lawfulness of instrumental music in the worship of God ; yet, if their use be not restricted within certain limits, it may nevertheless be improper, or inexpedient. Nor are all kinds of instruments suited to the solemnity of religious worship. A collection of instruments, or what is commonly called a band of music, if well chosen, and judiciously managed, seldom fails to produce a striking effect; but this does not fall directly under our notice ; because such a band will rarely, perhaps never, be found in any one worshipping assembly. Single instruments too, are of little use, except to accompany the bass, when the voices are too weak in that part. For this purpose a Violoncello, or Bassoon, may be used with some degree of propriety; but treble instruments are very improper, especially if there be no bass instruments to accompany them. But, as an organ, of all musical instruments, is the bet adapted to the purposes of religious worship, and perhaps the only one that can be of real use, we shall confine our observations to that instrument; and while we point out some improprieties in the common method of using it, shall propose a few regulations, which, if properly attended to, would undoubtedly render this branch of divine worship more agreeable, and more advantageous, than we frequently find it. Here, however, let it be understood, that we mean not to animadvert upon the abilities of any organist, as a musician; but shall confine ourselves solely to the use of the instrument in divine worship. Instrumental music, independent of vocal, cannot, in our opinion, constitute any part of the wo...« less