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 THOUGHTS on the 
 
 Surging of PsaIms and Anthems 
 IN churches 
 
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 FROM THE LIBRARY OF 
 REV. LOUIS FITZGERALD BENSON. D. D. 
 
 BEQUEATHED BY HIM TO 
 
 THE LIBRARY OF 
 
 PRINCETON THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY 
 
THOUGHTS 
 
 ON THE 
 
 SINGING OF PSALMS AND ANTHEMS 
 IN CHURCHES. 
 
THOUGHTS ON THE SINGING OF PSALMS AND 
 ANTHEMS IN CHURCHES. 
 
 THE author of the following remarks thinks proper to 
 begin them with the demand of there being conceded to him, 
 that the exciting and the increasing of devout affections, is the 
 only reason which can be given for the enlivening of the devo- 
 tions of the Church with the charms of Poetry, and with those 
 of Music. 
 
 Let the reader pause at this place, and frame in his own 
 mind, either a denial or an acknowledgement of what has just 
 now been affirmed to be the reason — the only reason of sing- 
 ing in religious assemblies. If he deny this, he had best lay 
 down this essay, it being not designed for him. If he ac- 
 knowledge the principle, there is asked of him no more than 
 to admit whatever shall be fairly inferred from it. 
 
 Perhaps, however, the assuming of such premises may seem 
 uncharitable ; and it may be supposed impossible, that any 
 should plead for another object than that stated. But it is not 
 impossible, and the caution cannot be uncharitable ; because 
 there is occasionally heard the plea of mere gratification or 
 amusement, and that by persons who would reject the imputa- 
 tion of designed indecorum ; and who would contend for the 
 matter, as an expedient to bring people together for their edifi- 
 cation. O deplorable insensibility to the sanctity of the place ! 
 as if the mixingof edification with amusement were cither con- 
 sistent with the professed design, under which it was set apart, 
 or likely to be subservient to the duties to which it is apnropri- 
 
 
2 Singing of Psalms and Anthems, 
 
 ated! If amusement, however innocent, were admissible, there 
 might be mentioned many kinds of such amusement, which 
 would tend more powerfully to the effect. They would also* 
 be less exceptionable than the singing of mock praises ; for 
 such are words of praise not intended to occupy the mind; 
 and especially when accompanied by notes, calculated to efface 
 any serious impression which may have been produced by a 
 better exercise. We read in scripture, that St. Paul, after 
 having given instructions relative to the due performance of 
 divine service, represents as a probable consequence of practis- 
 ing what he had prescribed, that an unbeliever, on being pre- 
 sent, would fall down and worship. Will the advocate for 
 amusement anticipate such an effect, or think it at all probable? 
 Or rather, is it not much more probable, and has it not hap- 
 pened, that while the unbeliever has been varying the motions 
 of his limbs and of his fingers to the airs of the merry music, 
 seriousChristians*have gone off from it with sorrow and disgust? 
 It is not uncommon to meet with persons who have abandoned 
 our communion, on the avowed principle, that they observed 
 in it too little of seriousness and too much of levity. It is easy 
 to answer such a mistaken reason of separation, so long as our 
 service is what it ought to be. But the same is not easy when 
 levity is encouraged and seriousness made to give way to 
 amusement, in the very ordering of the service. 
 
 Let it not be objected, that the allowed end of sacred music 
 is accomplished through the medium of the pleasing emotions 
 Which it excites. This must be acknowledged ; but a distinc- 
 tion is to be taken between the making of devotion pleasing by 
 the aid of music, and the applying of music to convey a plea- 
 sure not intended to be instrumental to devotion. It is this 
 which is here reprobated as unseasonable, and indeed profane. 
 There was a necessity to combat this error ; not only be- 
 cause it has been explicitly avowed, but because its influ- 
 ence has been perceivable in most of the abuses to be deplo- 
 red : and it may be proper now to apply to these the principle 
 which was set out with ; dividing the subject into two branch- 
 es, that of Anthems, and that of Psaxms. 
 
 By Anthems, are meant passages of Holy Scripture, se- 
 lected with a view to their being sung in an higher species of 
 music than that of common psalmody ; this being the meaning 
 
; <>l Psalmi and Anthems, 
 
 oi'tUe word as banded down to us by the Church of England. 
 If we extend it to other compositi >ns, and admit them, il 
 violation of the Rubrics of our Church ; and as the practice is 
 irregular, so the bad consequences of it arc obvious. If any one 
 
 Minister have a right to introduce into bis Church, a poetical 
 composition worth} of the occasion. yet not sanctioned I))' the 
 Episcopal Church, every minister of a parish mav do the same; 
 and being equally left to his discretion, he may require his con- 
 gregation to sing out of some insipid lmnn book. In such a 
 case, it would be inconsistent to censure him, unless indeed on 
 account of some false doctrine introduced. But he may avoid 
 this, and yet burthen the people with effusions which arc lit- 
 tle of a piece with the rational worship of our Church. 
 
 Next it should be observed of anthems, that they and the 
 music to accompany them should be selected by skilful persons, 
 and not left to the discretion of the performers. In the fine 
 arts of Poetry, Painting, and Music, we meet with inamora- 
 tos, who become extravagantly fond each of his favourite art, 
 without discovering any tolerable measure of taste or genius 
 in that with which he is so much delighted. But to be at con- 
 siderable pains to accomplish an extraordinary musical exhi- 
 bition in our churches, and then to hear of persons of known 
 taste, that they turn from it in disgust, is humiliating in the 
 extreme. This, however, has sometimes happened in rela- 
 tion both to the words and music. In regard to the former, 
 there have been known sentences strung together, not only 
 without any connection of sense, but in contrariety to both 
 sense and grammar. 
 
 Another maxim should be the requiring of the singers to he 
 masters of their respective parts before they perform in the 
 presenceof the congregation: some acknowledged judge pledg- 
 ing his opinion that they are qualified. The proposal of ma- 
 king the church asinging school, during the time appropriated 
 for worship, is too shameful to be ever brought forward in 
 form ; and yet the principle has been practised on very often, 
 to tin' great dissatisfaction of congregations ; and, it is to be 
 hoped, with errcat self-reproach in the minds of Ministers for 
 not having interfered with more authority in the way of pre- 
 vention. Under this head it may be proper to insert the rcquir- 
 ingof every performer to keep himself within proper bounds. 
 
4 Singing of Psalms and Anthems. 
 
 as to the elevation of his voice. Every one knows that the 
 designed effect of the music can be produced no otherwise than 
 by a judicious combination. But some vain young man — for 
 what but vanity can be the cause — imagines that his voice is 
 entitled to be heard above the voices of his companions. To 
 any ear even tolerably correct, this would spoil the finest mu- 
 sic ever heard. What then is to be the consequence ? shall 
 such a coxcomb be endured, or shall he be affronted? If the 
 former, how inconsistent is it to demand credit for a perfor- 
 mance, as an improvement of the service, although evidently 
 a debasement of it ! The latter part of the alternative is in- 
 deed disagreeable ; but as experience shows that this is inse- 
 parably attached to the projected improvement, the latter 
 should not be attempted without there being some persons 
 who will undertake to prevent or to remedy the abuse. 
 
 Next to proper singing, there may be mentioned proper be- 
 haviour, in decorum suited to the place and the occasion. 
 Among the young men admitted to our orchestras, there have 
 been many instances of gross levity. Of this scandalous abuse 
 there have been many mourning witnesses. We may be as- 
 sured, that the endurance of it has a fendency to injure our 
 Church, in a degree for which no singing can be a recompense. 
 To accomplish a suitable carriage in the Church, among all 
 the members of it in their respective pews, must be a difficult 
 task, however worthy of being attempted. Although indeco- 
 rum should be suppressed, it must rise to a certain height be- 
 fore interference can be justifiable. And even if palpable in- 
 decorum should be overlooked, the disgusted observer, if rea- 
 sonable, will make allowance for a natural backwardness to the 
 disagreeable office of rebuke in public, and will not take for 
 granted, that either the Clergy or the lay gentlemen in autho- 
 rity are indifferent to the prostitution of the place, and the in- 
 sult offered to the service. But for the winking at indecorum 
 in a part of the Church under their immediate inspection, and 
 entirely at their command, no such allowance is due ; neither 
 is there a probability of its being made. On the contrary, 
 it is most likely that a disparaging opinion is formed of the 
 religious characters of those who are indifferent, or supposed 
 to be indifferent to so great an evil. 
 
 When it has happened, and, it is confessed with pleasure, to 
 
Sinking of Psal»ir, and Anthems. 5 
 
 have happened* though seldom, thai the anthem, that the mu- 
 sic, and that the performance has been what good sens.-, what 
 
 good taste, and what good manners dictate, the exhibition 
 must have afforded an high gratification to very many ; and 
 it is difficult to perceive on what ground any person can have 
 reasonably taken offence, unless on that of the words being 
 unknown to the congregation* Thifl might he prevented, hy 
 authorising select anthems to he printed, and sold at the price 
 of a few cents per copy. A sheet of paper would hold as 
 many as any Church can have occasion for. Still, however, 
 let it he remembered, that the selection should be confined 
 to passages of Scripture ; for any thing further would be con- 
 trary to the Rubrics. 
 
 Before the leaving of the pnocont i.ranoh of the aubject, it 
 may be proper to mention, that the abuses stated under it are 
 all of such a nature as more than disappoint any benefit or 
 religious gratification to be expected ; and that, accordingly, 
 no excuses, grounded on the difficulty of guarding against 
 the abuses, are to be admitted. Such excuses prove, if any 
 thing, much more than is attended by them, even that the 
 exercise in question should not be attempted. 
 
 The other branch of the subject is common Psalmody. 
 
 There has been sometimes, although seldom, the opinion ex- 
 pressed, that all promiscuous singing had better be suppress- 
 ed, on account of the discordance of the voices. From this 
 opinion the author of the present essay dissents ; and he will 
 therefore express the sentiments which occur to him con- 
 cerning the advantages and incident disadvantages. 
 
 In regard to the former, it will not be denied that the taking 
 of the praises of God on the tongue has a tendency to interest 
 the heart : and surely this rs a sufficient reason for condescend- 
 ing to that simpler and easier music, which can be joined in by 
 the generality of the people. And then, the effect which would 
 he produced on almost any mind from the united voices of a 
 collective body, not accompanied by manifest absurdity, al- 
 though in musical strains not accommodated to a fastidious 
 ear, must be confessed a most important use. It must be 
 evident, that such an effect will be attendant on singing of 
 this sort, so long as the law of sympathy shall be an opera- 
 ting principle of our constitution. Besides, promiscuous 
 
6 Singing of Psalms and Anthems. 
 
 singing existed for some ages in the Christian Church before 
 the introduction of the other. And this is not a little in its 
 favour : so that we should beware how we sacrifice a prac- 
 tice of the times when piety the most abounded, for the 
 exclusive cultivation of another practice, which was not 
 known until piety had undergone a visible decline. 
 
 As to the disadvantages of this general singing, there may 
 be objected, that it does not advance that higher species of 
 music which delights the practised ear. To this it is a sufficient 
 answer, that divine worship is not instituted exclusively for 
 those who are proficient in that art. But there is another dis- 
 advantage, which, it must be confessed, cannot so easily be 
 removed, and perhaps must be submitted to, in a degree. It 
 IS that of the too loud singing of a few individuals, with dis- 
 cordant voices ; the effect sometimes of vanity and sometimes 
 of zeal. In relation to this it must be perceived, that where 
 there is a general joining, the vehement or the ill-timed notes 
 of an individual do not so easily become troublesome. But if 
 an obstinate person should persevere in his disturbance of the 
 congregation, he should be tenderly dealt with, but at all 
 events made to submit. There is no danger of the diminution 
 of a congregation from such a measure as this, properly con- 
 ducted. On the contrary, there is much more danger of it 
 from that mistaken delicacy, which would court or conciliate 
 a member, by submitting to his humours, however unreasona- 
 ble and inconvenient, which makes a membership contempti- 
 ble by representing it as a favour done by the party. If we 
 drive people from Church, by allowed indecorum in the per- 
 formance, it is what we have to answer for at the bar of God. 
 But if a man quit it, because we will not allow him to be 
 a disturber, although we should admit him to be under a 
 pious impulse, he is rendered, by such a trait of character, 
 an unfit member of any social body, with whose comely order 
 his prejudices may interfere. 
 
 Even if, contrary to the opinion here expressed, it be de- 
 sirable that general singing should give way to the more culti- 
 vated ; yet it may be taken for granted, that sueh a change 
 may be despaired of, on account of the general dissatisfaction 
 it would occasion : and this is so notorious, that no proposal 
 of it has been made, although there is nothing in our Canons 
 
Singing of Psalms and Anthems. 
 
 or in our Rubrics, to interdict it. But if this part of our 
 vice is to be continued, the more we cai improve it, the better 
 It must also be proper to induce the people to join in it, by tnj 
 expedients which may make it the easier to tin in ; and espe- 
 cially by an authoritative prevention ol'any indirect expedients 
 to prevent them. For if the sinking in question is to obtain, 
 notwithstanding the objections on the score of taste, it ought 
 surely to be cultivated, in defiance of the self-admiration of 
 conceited individuals. Now, what is to be complained of 
 under this head, is a systematic design in some places to the 
 opposite end of difficulty and discouragement. What else can 
 be the motive of constantly wishing* to change the tunes, as 
 soon as they have become familiarized to the people ? Not 
 only so, ingenuity is put to work for the accomplishment of 
 this mischievous end. There is sometimes taken a good old 
 tunc, which has stood the test of critical skill for many ages : 
 a slight alteration is made, always for the worse, and a new 
 name is given to this tune ; and the consequence is, as was, no 
 doubt, anticipated, that the accustomed singer in his pew, re- 
 cognizing the resemblance of his old friend, but not finding 
 him the same, and being distracted between past custom and 
 imaginary improvement, is hushed to silence. 
 
 The expedient to be here proposed for the counteracting of 
 these abuses, is to mark in the margin of a Prayer Book the 
 tune which shall be thought the best suited to each psalm. 
 Then, when any psalm is directed by the Minister, it will be 
 known what tune is to accompany it. And this union between 
 psalm and tune is here proposed to be inseparable : because, 
 it harmonizes with the principle set out with : for so much 
 are we under the government of the law of association, that 
 where there has been often an union of words, of notes, and 
 of feeling, the first two will scarce ever be heard, without 
 the excitement of the last. This is a fact well known to 
 those who influence the feelings of the people to political pur- 
 poses, by the means of ballads. The matter is equally true 
 of the connection between psalmody and the devotion which 
 it ought to be our object to excite by it ; and this affords an 
 unanswerable argument against the submitting of sacred mu- 
 sic to the direction of those who have no desire of making it 
 the handmaid of devotion. 
 
8 Singing of Psalms and Anthems. 
 
 Not only should the tunes be established, but they should be 
 few, for the purpose of rendering them familiar and easy to 
 the people. The criterion for the number should be this : Esti- 
 mate the number of portions which may be supposed sung on 
 Sundays, and on the principal festivals throughout the year. 
 Take such a divisor as that the quotient shall be a number 
 confessedly not too often to hear a good tune in the course of 
 of a year : the divisor is the number of tunes required. Ac- 
 cording to this standard, it would seem that no Church can 
 want more than from a dozen to twenty tunes. But it may be 
 said, Is all improvement in this line to be shut out ? this is 
 not the meaning ; but it is that the introduction of a new tune 
 should be very rare ; and then, because it is better than some 
 old one, which should give way to it.* 
 
 There are here conceived of but two sources of objection to 
 the scheme. One is, the very improper motive of putting a 
 stop, as much as may be, to the singing of the people. The 
 other is, the variety in which persons delight to indulge them- 
 selves in the exercise of a natural talent, from which they de- 
 rive pleasure, and perhaps edification. But such persons ought 
 to make a distinction between private gratification and public 
 utility. If the latter is the most likely to be accomplished ; that 
 is, if the people are the most likely to be induced to sing by a 
 very limited though sufficient variety, this object ought to go- 
 vern in the Church, and a more extended variety should be 
 reserved for private houses and for select companies. They 
 who have studied psalmody, and are much in the practice of 
 it in private, in consequence of a peculiar aptitude for the 
 employment, do not always consider that this cannot be ex- 
 pected of the members of a congregation generally, who may 
 yet join in what has been made easy to them by habit, while 
 they will think themselves excused, from the exercise if it 
 be made difficult to them. The supposition is still gone on, 
 that it is desirable to allow their aid ; for, if so, the suitable 
 means of it should be adopted. 
 
 * The author is strengthened in his opinion by inspection of a small book in his 
 possession, containing selections of psalms and tunes, purporting to be those sung in. 
 the parish church of St. .tames, Westminster. In that church there is morning and 
 evening service daily throughout the year, and yet the number of tunes is twenty 
 
Singing of Psalms and Jhthemi. 9 
 
 If what lias been already recommended should be steadily 
 pursued, another evil, of which (line has been complaint, 
 would cease of course. There is here alluded to an unsuitable 
 junction of psalm and tune. It is evident, that a time proper 
 for strains of praise may ill suit those which ere either plaintive 
 or merely instructive. And what is proper for either of these 
 may he improper for the other. This is an additional argu- 
 ment for not leaving musical arrangement to the discretion of 
 every performer. But, as was said, in case of arrangement 
 on the other points, there would he no need of any here. 
 
 Something must be said concerning interludes and volunta- 
 ries. Certainly nothing contrary either to good taste or to de- 
 cency should be tolerated, for the gratification of private whim, 
 much less in violation of all regard to religion and to decorum. 
 Jf the contrary to this were understood, when people are put 
 to the expense of furnishing a church with an organ, it is pro- 
 bable that there would be found few willing to contribute. In- 
 deed, it seems impossible to account for the prejudices which 
 some entertain against organs,otherwise than from an associa- 
 tion formed in their minds of the instruments, with the recol- 
 lection of the nuisances which they are made to serious people, 
 by being played on improperly. In regard to interludes, a 
 number, adjusted to the different styles of music, should be 
 selected by some proficient. There should be noted, for the 
 government of the performer, the different psalms to which 
 they are respectively intended to be attached ; and there should 
 be required of him strict regard to the limits thus marked 
 out. The late Mr. F. Hopkinson, a gentleman of known taste, 
 in an essay published in his works, has supposed, that what is 
 here treated of is left to the discretion of the performer ; and 
 he has stated, with great judgment, the rules which will govern 
 such apcrson, if a master in the line of his profession. But 
 suppose that no such consummate master can be obtained ; or 
 that, if obtained, he is a master in another sense than the one 
 here intended ; that is, he is an instructor, and wishes to in- 
 crease the number of his pupils, by exhibiting the varieties of 
 his talent and the force of his execution. Is it not evident, thai 
 while he is at the organ, his object, and that of those win- 
 seated him there, are not only different, but in opposition 
 If he sacrifice theirs to his, would such a liberty be permit- 
 
10 Singing of Psalms and Anthems. 
 
 ted in any other line ? And when permitted in this, are there 
 not strong appearances of its being the result of a want of 
 sufficient interest felt by those who should control him ? 
 
 As to voluntaries, the licentiousness of them is conspicuous 
 in some places in those light airs which are calculated to send 
 people dancing out of church. To the mind of him who now 
 writes, it seems impossible that any man who, during the ser- 
 vice, had been engaged in the duties of it, should, as soon as 
 it is over, indulge himself in this light fancy. There is a well 
 known remark of Mr. Addison, in which he compares a light 
 voluntary after the service and the sermon, to a farce acted 
 after a tragedy. In the latter case there being the professed 
 design, and, in the former, strong appearances of the design 
 of effacing any impression which may have been made by what 
 went before. Independently on the high authority of Mr. 
 Addison for taste and judgement, it may be affirmed, that the 
 man who, having heard his remark, can conduct himself with- 
 out any regard to the proper effect of it, has an important 
 change of mind to undergo, before he can be fit to be entrust- 
 ed with the government of any department in which the dig- 
 nity and decorum of religious worship are concerned. 
 
 On this part of the subject there ought not to be omitted a 
 few words on the preposterous practice of playing between the 
 lines of a verse. From the essay of Mr. Hopkinson already 
 alluded to, it appears, that he could not endure this palpable 
 contradiction of common sense. And if a performer should 
 be so dull as not to comprehend, or have so little judgment as 
 not to perceive the force of the reasons there opposed to it, 
 he should be required to submit to the better information of 
 those whose reputation in the musical line is established, 
 and their taste undoubted. 
 
 If any should imagine that there is an hardship in subject- 
 ing a performer to the rules here advocated, let them give a 
 reason, why there should be indulged to the station in question 
 greater license than to the divinely instituted station of a cler- 
 gyman ? Shall the latter be confined to prescribed prayers,and 
 shall the former have the privilege of obtruding what has the 
 effect of counteracting every use for which prayer was institu- 
 ted ? But perhaps it may be thought that we cannot retain or 
 procure performers on the terms proposed. The writer of this 
 
: of Psalms and MtheWU. 11 
 
 lias no such fear; if it be entertained by others, he n 
 up his mind to the doing without then* But he is convinced 
 that the danger is ideal. 
 
 On taking a retrospect of what lias been written, in refer- 
 tin e to both the branches of the subject, there seems ground 
 ro recommend earnestly, that in all the appointments to office* 
 attached to the musical department, \ in all (Valuing of choirs 
 to aid it, regard should be had to the religious and the moral 
 characters of those who offer. Due attention to this would of 
 itself prevent many of the abuses complained of. Immorality 
 in either of these descriptions of persons, has the effect of les- 
 sening the respectability of the Church in the estimation of 
 the observers. And as to religion, although it is far from the 
 wish of him who writes, to force questions on any in regard to 
 the emotions of their hearts, yet he never could perceive with 
 what consistency any who have not the appearance of a pro- 
 fession of it, can be permitted to meddle in our concerns. It 
 is true, that a man neither moral nor religious, but entertain- 
 ing due respect for the feelings of the congregation, would 
 avoid insulting those feelings, by indulging himself in any 
 indecorum in their presence. But it would be rather ludi- 
 crous to make an ecclesiastical provision, having for its object 
 those sensibilities, the want of which is a drawback from the 
 character of the gentleman. And, therefore, the proper rule 
 is the requiring of a religious profession, with a suitable 
 practice. 
 
 If there should seem excess in the measure of the censures 
 of some of the abuses stated, it should be recollected that they 
 are the result of the point of view in which the matter is con- 
 templated: And this is, that as our blessed Saviour, when lu- 
 purged the temple of the money-changers, gave as the reason 
 of his conduct — " Make not my Father's house an house of 
 merchandize ;" so, there is at least as much reason to say — 
 make it not a place of amusement ; or of any thing which has 
 a tendency to drive from the mind all devotion and all serious 
 ness. In regard to the most material of the abuses complain 
 ed of, the writer has been in the habit of considering the per 
 petrators of them as not having the fear of God before their 
 eyes. Are there not then accessible to such persons convivial 
 parties ? are there not concerts ? are. there not theatres, in 
 
12 Singing of Psalms and Anthems, 
 
 which they may gratify their taste for musical amusement, 
 without intruding on our devotions, to the disturbance of 
 those who join in them ? Let such questions occur to them or 
 not, our conduct should hold out the language to them, in 
 reference to the service of our Church — (< You have no part 
 or lot in this matter." 
 
 There is not known to many, to what lengths liberties with 
 us would be carried if permitted. One man publishes a 
 book of music, ami desires of a Minister, that his tunes may 
 be forthwith introduced, for the readier sale of his edition. 
 Another entertains a kindness for a certain composer ; and 
 in order that the fruits of his labour may be the better 
 known through the medium of the service of a Church, an 
 appeal is made to the supposed good nature of its Rector. 
 And a third knows of some female, who teaches the elegant 
 accomplishments of music ; and he thinks it will give her an 
 eclat, if she can be exhibited in an orchestra. Oh ! how 
 easy is it to bestow favours of this sort, under the cover of 
 the principle, that mere amusement is to be an object of 
 musical performance in our Churches ! But the principle is 
 here rejected, and the opinion is avowed, that one necessary 
 expedient for the disengaging of ourselves from the incon- 
 veniences to which it has subjected us, is, not to suffer the 
 interference of those who hold it, in any measures adopted 
 for the improvement of our music. 
 
 A distinction should be observed between this and the 
 making use of professional talent in a safe way ; and the dis- 
 tinction may be illustrated thus : If our Church at large 
 were editing a book of Common Prayer, and if the Printer 
 who could fabricate the most complete edition of it, were a 
 man who felt no interest in its contents, we should approve of 
 the employing of him, although we should never have thought 
 of consulting him in the framing of the book. On the same 
 principle, if a musical professor, indifferent to religion, 
 have composed what we judge suitable to our worship, let 
 us avail ourselves of his abilities; but let us not submit to 
 him the question, what species of music is to our purpose. 
 
 This brings to mind another matter worthy of being no- 
 ticed. It is well known that some members of congregations 
 
]gktg of Psalms and Jut/it m . 1 . 
 
 have been occasionally offended, bj teeing persons exhibit- 
 ed in their orchestras, as snipers, who never appear in any 
 
 Churefa at anv other tunc ; and whose occupation, to sa\ the. 
 least, is iinl'a\ourahlc to piety and morals. The offence has 
 been considered by some others as the effect of weakness. 
 
 In regard to persons so opposed in sentiment, it might, per- 
 haps, be made a problem* whether the difference be the re- 
 sult of greater weakness on- one side, or of less seriousness 
 
 on the other. But supposing the matter decided clearly 
 against the former, still it might be hoped that the strong 
 would bear with the weak, in consideration of the principle 
 before referred to in this essay, that of the law of associa- 
 tion, the force of which is so much recognized by philoso- 
 phical observers of human nature. We appeal to this law, 
 in support of many of the institutions of our Church. In 
 regard to kneeling in prayer, there are those who think it 
 worth their while to assure us gravely, that the divine Being 
 looks to the disposition of the heart. So, when we consecrate 
 Churches, and set them apart from secular occasions, argu- 
 ments are ostentatiously brought to demonstrate that there 
 can be no sanctity in bricks and timbers. We cannot de- 
 fend ourselves concerning such matters, but by reasons re- 
 solvable into the said law of association. Apply all this to 
 the subject in hand, and it will at least go to the extent of 
 interdicting what has been stated as an occasion of offence. 
 But it is time to hasten to a conclusion ; and there shall 
 only be solicited, in regard to all which has been written, 
 that the propriety of it may be judged of by the reasonable 
 maxim in an apocryphal book of scripture — " Whatsoever 
 thou takest in hand, remember the end, and thou shalt never 
 do amiss." 
 
 Philadelphia, 1808. SILAS. 
 
Gaylord Bro«. 
 
 Makers 
 Syracuse. N. Y. 
 BK PAT. MR. 21. 
 
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