The design and benefits of Instrumental 
 Musick. 
 
 CONSIDERED IN A 
 
 SERMON, 
 
 Delivered at Lebanon Goshen, May 7, 1807- 
 
 On the occafion of having an Organ introduced as 
 an aid in t he worship and melody of God's houfe. 
 
 BY WILLIAM LYMAN, A. M. 
 
 OS EAST-HADDAM. 
 
 " Awake up, my glory , awake psalter and harp : I myself' 
 ' " -will awake early. 
 " Praise him with stringed instilments and organs" 
 
 Psalmist* 
 
 NEW-LOXDOM, 
 
 rRiKi'ED nr edenezer p f cadT, 
 
AT a meeting of the proprietors of 
 the Organ used in public worship in 
 the society <of Goshen in Lebanon, held 
 in said society on the 1 1th day of May, 
 
 1807. 
 
 Voted, That Mess. Dyar T. Hinck- 
 ley and Erastus Osgood, be a commit- 
 tee, to present the thanks of said pro- 
 prietors to the Rev. William Lyman, 
 for his Sermon delivered on the 7th 
 instant ; on the^ occasion of the in- 
 troduction of said Organ into public 
 worship, and request a copy thereof 
 for the press. 
 
 A true copy, 
 
 Attest, JOHN SHAPLEY, 
 
 Clerk to said proprietor's . 
 
TO THE READER. 
 
 X HE author makes no pretensions to a thorough 
 investigation or accurate discussion of the subject brought 
 to view in the following pages ; and he assures the public, 
 that if his own mind had been uninfluenced by the opinion 
 of others in whose judgment he confides the discourse here 
 presented, would never have come before them in its pre- 
 sent form. Inaccuracies of method, style and sentiment, he 
 request may be viewed with an jndulgent eye, by the candid, 
 reader.. 
 
 If the cause of truth is advocated, he hopes it may re- 
 ceive support from some abler pen ; if any thing hurtful to 
 " pure religion," and evangelical godliness, is stated, he 
 begs it may not be construed to derogate from the sobriety 
 and spirituality of christian worship. He will be wounded 
 in the deepest manner if it is found to be incompatible with 
 the glory of God, which he is bound, and should labour 
 above all things to promote. 
 
WJff?m W 
 
 ^<rfii 
 
 
 w f 
 
 SERMON. 
 
 ZECHARIAH, XIV, 20. 
 
 /n t/ta? day shall there be upon the bells of the horses. Ho- 
 liness unto the Lord. 
 
 \ 
 
 X HAT there is coming a time when religion shall 
 be in a resplendant and triumphant state upon earth, is a 
 doctrine supported by the uniform testimony of the ancient 
 Prophets. This time and the blessings of it, they describe 
 in figurative language, and give elevation to the hopes and 
 joys of good people. 
 
 A variety of particulars, as prognostic of this day and as 
 evidential of its actual commencement they enumerate. 
 Among other things, the prophet from whose writings 
 have been selected tl* words of the text, states that there 
 shall be an almost universal consecration to God, not only 
 of men, but of implements and articles of use in common 
 life. This I gather from what he asserts in a particular case 
 noticed in the words which have been read. If on " the bells 
 of horses" those signals of business or pleasure shall be 
 written or engraven, " Holiness unto the Lord" then every 
 less inferior instrument may be expected to share the like 
 consecration. Arguing from the less to the greater, we are 
 authorised in the conclusion, that all the implements of war, 
 all the utensils of husbandry, together with all the Various 
 productions of art, shall be devoted to religious purposes ; 
 and be employed only as they are made subservient to the. 
 glory of God. Too often, alas ! at present, the members 
 of our bodies, and all the implements they are capable of 
 using, become the instruments of unrighteousness unto sin ; 
 but then, the corporeal organs, the mental faculties, and the 
 whole catalogue of objects with which they have connection, 
 shall be on the side of Christ, and occupied as his gospel re- 
 quires. This being the case, it is easy and natural to suppose 
 
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 that instruments of musick, even those which have loflgBecn 
 devoted to other purposes, and considered as the signals of 
 carnal merriment, shall all be enrolled among those articles 
 on which shall be inscribed, u Holiness unto the Lord." I 
 have little doubt, my brethren, that in the Millenium, to 
 which, I suppose, the words of the text have reference, 
 there will be a surrendcry to the service and benefit of the 
 church of many things which arc now employed lor the vilest 
 purposes. The timbrel, harp, and violin, instead of waking 
 to all the joys of sensual merriment, and enlivening the giddy 
 throng in the airy mazes of nocturnal hilarity, shall capti- 
 vate, warm and enrapture the soul of piety — shall stir up 
 the most devotional sensations in the breasts of the godiv, 
 and cause the hearts of those who love God to leap for joy, 
 and to burst forth in the language of praise. 
 
 The Organ is a noble instrument which hath generally 
 been considered as among those which are sacred to the use 
 of the church : and though, according to Job, it hath been 
 found in the service of those who " send forth, their little 
 " ones like a jloek, and rvhose children dance — who spend 
 " their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the 
 " grave" yet it hath not usually been ranked with the in- 
 centives to carnal mirth. We find it in use with a respecta- 
 ble class of christian worshippers, in main' of their churches j 
 and, by degrees, gaining admission into the temples of those 
 who are of a different denomination. Though my opinion 
 is not to be a rule in this case, yet for myself I can say, I 
 should rejoice if the time were come when this and other 
 instruments of Musick, shall be taken from the perverted 
 use to which they seem destined, and made the sweeteners. 
 and the enliveners of God's worship. In that da//, ol which 
 the prophet speaks in my text, it is believed something of 
 this kind shall be witnessed ; and in a much higher degree 
 than is, at present, generally imagined. I shall briefly can- 
 vass this matter, and give the reasons why I am comforted 
 with such a hope. 
 
 I. Let us consider the design of instrumental Musick, and 
 the purposes to be answered by it. 
 
 II. The objections which lie against it. 
 
 III. The benefits to be derived from it. 
 
 IV. What reason there is to expect that in due time these 
 benefits will be realized by the church, and music of this 
 kind go into universal use. 
 
( r ) 
 
 If any are at a loss to know how I get at these ideas from 
 the text, I would inform them, that when the prophet speaks 
 of having u upon the bells of the horses, Holiness t/nto the 
 Lord" I do not suppose he has reference to this article on- 
 ly, but to all others which may he considered of equal or 
 superior importance. The idea, I conceive, very naturally, 
 is this ; that, at the time referred to, there shall be an uni- 
 versal consecration even of the common implements of life, 
 not excepting the very article here mentioned ; which may 
 be deemed an appendage, or an almost useless superfluity. 
 Bells of horses are used, either as an ornament, or as sig- 
 nals of approach ; and they denote that persons are on busi- 
 ness or pleasure. In the clay spoken of in the text, when 
 these shall be heard, it will be a warning, either that persons 
 are going to attend some religious meeting, or* are engaged 
 in some lawful employment which is wholly subservient to 
 the divine glory. In this case, no noisy, jovial, drunken meet- 
 ings shall be announced by these harbingers of an approach- 
 ing part}- ; but the purposes of religious intercourse, and re- 
 ligious service shall in this way be promoted. On this ac- 
 count, the language of the text is justified. In allusion to 
 this, it doubtless was, that our pious forefathers so frequent- 
 ly petitioned in their prayers, that u Holiness to the Lord" 
 might be written on all the enjoyments and employments of 
 life. This construction, in my apprehension, gives support 
 to the use it is proposed to make of the passage in reference 
 to instrumental Musick. These, with other things, shall be 
 devoted or consecrated to God. Let us then, as proposed, 
 
 I. Enquire into their design. — One general idea belongs 
 to this, in common with vocal musick. The design of both 
 is to produce agreeable and lively sensations within. We 
 find that musick of some kind or other is agreeable to most 
 people ; and, on certain persons, it has a surprising opera- 
 tion. It charms, elevates and enraptures their souls. They 
 seem on the pinnacle of delight, when melod}' and harmony 
 of sound salute their ears. These persons are, generally, 
 fond of variety ; and though vocal musick, when well per- 
 formed, carries them almost into the regions of extacy, yet 
 their satisfaction is encreased when vou blend with it that 
 species which is termed instrumental.- Both together, suit- 
 ably proportioned, and on the string of harmony, have a 
 wonderful effect. They remove gloom, despondency and 
 deadness from the soul. They put every faculty on the 
 
C 8 ) 
 
 stretch of exercise, and cause the joyful feelings to hold a 
 complete ascendency. Of course, they leave the soul in a 
 very placid, serene, and joyful state. The power of mu- 
 sick, in certain cases, is almost beyond credibility. It is 
 used medicinally for disorders of body and mind. For the 
 bite of the Tarantula, which is very poisonous, this hath 
 been said to be a sovereign remedy*. Glooms and derange- 
 ment of mind arc frequently removed by it. There is a 
 species of dementation or frantic madness, for the cure of 
 which musick is found to be very efficacious. You will re- 
 collect the case of Saul, king of Israel, when he fell under 
 the displeasure of heaven, and u an evil spirit from the Lord 
 troubled him." His servants seemed to understand his com- 
 plaint and the proper remedy. Their advice, therefore, was 
 to " seek out a man who is a cunning player on an harp" 
 It fell to the lot of David to be the physician, on this music- 
 al plan. In the paroxysms of his disorder, to frequent re- 
 turns of which the king was subject, David applied this rc- 
 medv with success. M And it came to pass, when the evil 
 " spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp 
 u and played with his hand : so Saul was refreshed and was 
 '* well, and the evil spirit departed from him." 
 
 But aside from these extraordinary instances, there are 
 uses of a more common description. And these are such as 
 apply to the feelings of the heart. Warm affections are ex- 
 cited — lively emotions are produced, and an animated devo- 
 tion takes place as the effect. Those must be upon a frigid 
 and torpid scale, who are not moved by well-timed and sym- 
 phonious musick. One design of this art is to assuage grief 
 and drive away sorrow : and in this way it is, often, highly 
 salutary to both body and mind. While trouble and dis- 
 tress operate to dry the bones and drink up the soirits, songs 
 well adapted, serve to tranquilize the mind, and restore to 
 their proper tone the suspended functions of nature. But in 
 religious service, it is of peculiar, and perhaps the highest 
 utilitv. It is intermingled with other services to keep up the 
 attention, and enliven the worship. It is a proper method 
 in which to express and chant forth the praises of God. 
 By the aid of vocal and instrumental musick, such a sound 
 is produced as lias the most pleasing and salutary influence 
 on the mind. Though vocal musick in its perfection is to 
 
 •f It -will not be understood that the author designs to assert the fact. 
 
( 9 ) 
 
 be preferred, yet instrumental is calculated to have th*e same 
 operation : and where the state of the affections is right, to 
 put them on the highest and sweetest key. All nature 
 seems to rejoice in musick ; and, during the present season, 
 the warbling songsters flit through the air, filling the atmos- 
 phere with variegated and enchanting melody. These 
 winged choristers perform with the utmost correctness ; and 
 it is pleasure to awake and hear their matin notes of praise. 
 By the art of man, taught from heaven, mute instruments 
 are made to join the melody, and aid the rapture. On dif- 
 ferent principles, and with an almost infinite variety of 
 sounds they are constructed, but all calculated to come 
 within the scale of harmony, and tending to produce the 
 happiest effect. The pensive, the cheerful and the solemn 
 strain are occasionally employed, and all uniting to compose, 
 exhilerate, and render seraphical, the soul of man. This, 
 more than any thing else, tends to produce affinity with an- 
 gels, and to prepare for bearing a part in their celestial ser* 
 vices. 
 
 Let us now consider as proposed, II. The objections 
 which lie against instrumental musick in particular. You 
 will say, perhaps, I have taken too much for granted.; and 
 have too much blended together vocal and instrumental mu- 
 sick, in their supposed design and effects. If it is sound 
 which produces the effect, and this sound consists in a par- 
 ticular modulation of the air, I see not of what consequence 
 it is, whether occasioned by the motion of bodily organs, or 
 by chords, pipes, and apertures in instruments. Who will 
 say, it is not as conducive to the purposes of piety to have 
 the musick of an organ, as of an infidel, profane, intem- 
 perate and adulterous master of the art. Too many, alas ! 
 of our teachers and performers in sacred melody, have prov- 
 ed that they are deserving of no better description. While 
 numbers are respectable and merit our esteem, others ought 
 to be driven from their seats of affectation, pride and sol- 
 emn mockery, to employ their musical talents where they 
 are industriously gathering the meed of infamy and guilt. — > 
 Let the organ, the flute, the violin or any other insrument 
 be my guide in devotional exercises of praise rather than 
 these miscreants from stews ; from r grog-shops, and deistical 
 clubs. If musick must be performed, and it is a beautiful 
 t and enlivening part of religious service, let it rather be by 
 
 B 
 
C 10 ) 
 
 an inoffensive instrument than by a lump of pollution — a 
 mere bloat of vanity, though in the form of a man. 
 
 Kut it will be said, perhaps, the cxpence is too great, and 
 societies in general cannot easily defray it. I know not the 
 proportion of expence between such an instrument as is now 
 before us, and the frequent expence of time and money, in 
 hiring and' attending upon a teacher of musick. But, I 
 believe, in the compass of a few years, the balance would 
 be in favour of the instrument ; and many societies, by 
 adopting this mode, would find themselves gainers on the 
 score of interest. Besides, it would be a constant and un- 
 varying aid in this part of service : nor would it, like the vo- 
 cal singers, desert the scat assigned, through disgust, or 
 from indifferencv. On the construction which distinguishes 
 the present noble machine, the expence is greatly reduced, 
 and society is freed from the burthen ol an organist. 
 
 It will probably be further objected, that it will serve to 
 root out vocal musick, and discourage an application to the 
 aft, among those who have talents. If this be the fact, 
 (which experience alone must determine) it would be an 
 evil of no inconsiderable magnitude. But, I apprehend, the 
 objection is premature, and goes upon assumed ground. 
 At any rate, it is wholly needless there should be foundation 
 for such an objection. If experience proves the correctness 
 of it, I will not contend. However, it is obvious a little 
 care might be sufficient to guard against such an evil. I am 
 well persuaded it must be easy singing with such an instru- 
 Inent ; and when once learnt, persons can with little difficul- 
 ty keep up the art and life of their singing. If they will 
 .neglect, and zvi/l not cultivate and improve their voices, no 
 remedy can be provided against the evil. But it may be 
 considered, it is a wilful and needless inconvenience. Per- 
 haps, with half the trouble they could maintain the "vocal 
 part. It is like having a skilful chorister with them continu- 
 ally : and in this case, their singing will not so almost in- 
 stantly begin to flag, when their teacher hath withdrawn. 
 I would bv no means encourage an inattention to the culti- 
 vation of the voice. I consider it the life and beautv of 
 Psalmody, when rightly performed ; nor do I think the neg- 
 lect ought or need to take place, where the benefit of an or- 
 gan is enjoyed. On the contrary, an increased attention 
 .and a more vigorous exertion in this cause, may be expect- 
 ed, where there is not a criminal deficiency in the leading 
 
( 11 ) 
 
 members of societv. The success would stimulate ; and the- 
 effect thus produced by the united powers of musick would, 
 methinks, engage all who have a talent for this soul enliven- 
 ing exercise, to become adepts in the art. I would not, 
 however, be too confident, but leave the matter to be tested 
 by experiment. 
 
 A. still more formidable objection, in the view of some, 
 rises into notice. It is this — That instrumental musick is 
 calculated to destroy the spirituality of worship, and root 
 out that purity which ought ever to distinguish gospel times. 
 Were I not persuaded that the objector is serious in propo- 
 sing this difficulty, and that he labours under embarrass- 
 ment on this account, I would not tarry to frame a reply. 
 Put godly oouls, and men of discernment, are clogged in. 
 their minds with this ungrateful idea, and they know not 
 how to get over this obstacle. I have not vanity enough to 
 think I can give them full relief, but I have a persuasion 
 that the objection is owing more to the prejudices of educa- 
 tion, than to any real evil which exists in the case. It may 
 be called a relict of popery, and an attempt to carnalize the 
 worship of God* But, I conceive it is deserving no such 
 reproach, and ought not to lie under such a stigma. For 
 purity and- spirituality of worship, I- would appear a decided 
 advocate ; and I see nothing in this case which militate3- 
 with the idea. If sound — if the modulation of the air in a 
 particular manner, is incompatible with that spiritual wor- 
 ship which God requires under the gospel, then away with 
 voeal musick ; away with all set forms of singing, and let 
 praving and singing be performed in a mute manner, witi* 
 the spirit and with the understanding also, but without the 
 aid of the voice. If you admit oral service, you step out 
 of the regions of exclusive spirituality, and may as well pro- 
 ceed one step further ; and this is ail which is necessary to 
 admit that for which I plead. Instrumental musick, so far 
 as it respects sound, is notone grade further from spirituali- 
 ty, than is vocal. Both have the same- design^ are upon 
 the same principles, and tend to the same effect. 
 
 An instrument hath not yet been formed, which can arti- 
 culate and pronounce words. But in this, principally, does 
 it vary from the human voice. Whether this perfection in 
 mechanism will ever be attained must be left for future gen- 
 erations to decide. It would be scarcely more astonishing, 
 than, some of the atchkvments of art. But the want of arti*- 
 
( M ) 
 
 dilation, it is conceived, is not essential. If the air and 
 chords are good, the purpose needed may be subserved ; and 
 tue pious heart, with words of devotion and praise before 
 the eyes, may be comforted and quickened in the use of an 
 instrument. It is evident, that with various kinds of in- 
 struments, godly souls have been formerly aided in their 
 worship; And I have full confidence, that in due time they 
 will agu;n be restored to their primitive use, and subserve 
 their original design. Has the Devil seized on one and an- 
 other till he has carried them all away from the service of 
 the Church, and devoted numbers of them t© the purposes 
 of carnal merriment ? Have they become drudges in the 
 service of the wicked so as to aid in the frantic revels of fes- 
 tivity ? Is it true of those who regard not the xvork of the 
 Lord, that " the harp and the viol, the tabret and pipe, and 
 " wine are in their feasts," and that in their social cheer, 
 they " rejoice at the sound of the organ" ? These, n.y 
 friends, are evidently spoken of as symptoms of degenera- 
 cy ; and it appears that in these cases, a very improper use 
 is made of these instruments. They ought to be restQred to 
 the place they are designed to hold ; and, instead of aiding 
 in the designs of wantonness and sensuality, become the 
 handmaids of devotion and praise. When holiness unto the 
 Lord shall be upon the bells of the horses, there instruments 
 will, no doubt, hold a more dignified station and be devoted 
 to more divine and noble purposes.* The spirituality of 
 worship may be still maintained, and the melody of God's 
 praise be augmented ; while instruments of a suitable struc- 
 ture assist to form a band of sacred musick. 
 
 Why, let me ask, is the art to form and use these instru- 
 ments given to men — why are some raised up with an almost 
 intuitive and perfect knowledge of all the powers cf musick, 
 if no use is to be made of the art in any virtuous and com- 
 mendable way ? Nature and grace both claim the aid of 
 musick. Nature and grace, 1 conceive, both approve of 
 that which is instrumental. And all the spirituality design- 
 ed and wished for, may be preserved while the organ swells 
 the notes in which the feelings of piety are waited towards 
 heaven. These instruments will not be needed in the celes- 
 
 * It is not pretended that a consecration to God implies that every 
 teal instrument should be employed in immediate acts of worship ; 
 but that those which are proper for this bi'.siness vxaxj and probably iuiU 
 be used in tins way* 
 
( 13 ) 
 
 tial regions ; hut while in the body, christians may improve 
 euch aids. The voice itself will cease in death, and the 
 eymphdny of heaven will be suited to the condition of the 
 inhabitants. David might be as spiritual with his psaltery 
 and harp — with his stringed instruments and organs — He 
 might praise God upon the loud cymbals, and praise him 
 upon the highs outidirig cymbals, with as much purity as 
 did Paul and Silas, when ;ft midnight they prayed and sung 
 praises to God, so that the prisoners heard them. For my 
 own part I should rejoice to see a wicked world, and Satan 
 at their head giving up the instruments which they have 
 surreptitiously taken from the use of the Church, and which 
 many christiar. people seem contented to leave in their 
 hands, and having them again employed for the purposes 
 specified by the sweet singer of Israel.* 
 
 In that day when " the mountain of the Lord's house shall 
 u be established in the top of the mountains, and exalted a- 
 u bove the hills" — when the redeemed shall return and come 
 with singing unto Zion ; and when all the implements and 
 utensils of a worldly nature shall be consecrated to God, I 
 doubt not the organ and other instruments of musick will 
 have inscribed upon them in no less legible characters — 
 " Holiness unto the Lord." But these sentiments may be 
 novel to some, and unscriptural in the. view of others. I 
 can only say they give me comfort ; and, I believe, will be 
 more and more generally adopted, till every objection is re- 
 moved, and the use of instruments be universally establish- 
 ed. And though Popery and Mahometanisrn may have em- 
 ployed these saaae articles — though they may have been de- 
 voted to the vilest purposes ; yet they shall be again safe and 
 
 * If it be said there is no precept in the gospel for instrumental mu- 
 sick, we say it is unnecessary. In certain cases it is deemed accurate 
 reasoning to plead in favor of what hath been confessedly of divine in- 
 stitution, and is not set aside by any express interdictory precept. On 
 this ground Ave rest the authority for worshipping as did David and oth- 
 er devotional saints, who were men after God's own heart, and offered 
 to him a sacrifice well pleasing in his sight. The unsettled, impover- 
 ished, and afflicted state of the christian church in the earliest stages of 
 its existence, may be a sufficient reason why instrumental musick was 
 not then introduced ; without supposing any change in the ordinance of 
 heaven respecting it. Will any allow that " The instruments of music k 
 " used in the temple-service were all appointed by God, and separated 
 " from a profane to a sacred purpose," and yet plead that the use of 
 them under the gospel is an " unscriptural practice" ; -when no prohib- 
 iuuy clause is adduced from the writings •: f the evangelists or any of the 
 apostles ? 
 
C T4 ) 
 
 tmtontnminated in the hands of the Church. I view it as - 
 one of the symptoms of an approaching niillenium, of no- 
 less significancy and precision; than the case stated in the 
 text. 
 
 Let us now consider as proposed, III. The benefits to 
 be derived from this quarter. This artitle hath, to a con- 
 siderable degree, been anticipated in the remarks under a 
 former head. But it mav be pi^per to observe, that when 
 the affections are cold and languid — when the mind is dull 
 and stupid — such mucick will warm, cheer, and enliven. — 
 One benefit arising from instruments is, they will be a very 
 useful aid to vocal musick.- Another thing is, they will so 
 elevate and invigorate the services of God's house that it 
 will be an inducement for all to attend ; and it will serve to- 
 keep them wakeful and lively while there. 
 
 Children and youth will have musick, and that of the in- 
 strumental kind. It is a clictale, and an innocent dictate 
 or propensity of human nature. If they cannot find it in 
 the house of God, they will go elsewhere and with different 
 views. Their intercourse together will not always be of the 
 most decent and orderly kind. Let them have solemn and 
 appropriate musick in the house of God, and such as is cal- 
 culated to enkindle pleasing sensations, they will have less 
 inducements to go to the assembly and ball-room. They 
 tv ill have more numerous and engaging motives for going 
 to the sanctuary ; and there in the circle of christian parents, 
 and friends, and in the midst of solemn and religious ser- 
 vices, they may hear and acquire some spiritual good. — 
 Stop them, then, if possible, by allurement, from going to 
 the abodes of vanity and mirth ; and make them choose the 
 house of God as the place of highest entertainment and de- 
 light. Then your work /seems half accomplished, and you 
 may hope they will be charmed to the love of the truth. — 
 But, at any rate, the soul which longs to join the angelic 
 hosts above, and is aspiring after the songs of the celestial 
 regions, will, in this way, by the air of musick, be elevat- 
 ed on the expanded wings of faith and love towards heaven, 
 and will catch something of the joy which swells the notes 
 of glorified spirits. But I will not detain you with mere 
 conjectures, however probable the ground which support* 
 them. 
 
 I solicit your indulgence a few minutes longer, ^yhile F 
 show as was proposed, IV. What reason there is to expect 
 
X is ) 
 
 "ihat'in due time these benefits will be realized' and musick 
 ef this kind go into universal use. i 
 
 I have stated what appears to be the force of the text on 
 this subject. Had it been mentioned only that men and their 
 property, generally, were to be devoted to God, we might 
 still be at a loss as to the use to be made of certain ai-ts. — » 
 But bv going so far as to name one of the lowest and most 
 'indifferent articles ; it is justifiable, I conceive, to admit 
 the conclusion that hath been drawn, and maintain that all 
 things, even those "^n most common and familiar use,- shall 
 be consecrated to god. I further ask, what other possible 
 vse is it reasonable to suppose will ox can be made of them 
 than that which hath been pointed out ? The art of making 
 and using instruments ofinausick will doubtless remain and 
 be carried to great perfection in the millenium, far beyond 
 ■what is at present known in the world ; even by the most 
 refined and highly cultivated nations. If this be the case, 
 will this art, and these instruments, remain useless ? There 
 will be none to employ them as now in the gambols of van- 
 ity — none who will have a desire for those merry meetings 
 where the -violm strikes the heart-strings of jovial gaiety, 
 ?nd incites to the nimble movements of the ball-room. No 
 frolicksome youth — no sons of mirth who have grown wrink- 
 led and grey in the apartments of folly and vice. All will 
 be religiously -inclined, and religiously employed. " All 
 " shall know the Lord, from the least of them unto the 
 "** greatest of them, 1 ' and their desire will be to meet, adore, 
 praise and magnif}' the living God. In this case no other 
 use but that of a religious kind will be found for any instru- 
 ment or article whatever. I suppose, further, that every 
 aid for religious purposes will be improved. And since in- 
 struments of musick are so happily calculated to subserve 
 this end, I am ready to conclude they will be in extensive, 
 if not universal use. Then all the benefits resulting or to be • 
 derived from them, will be felt and realized. The high- 
 sounding cymbals and the majestic sounding organ, with 
 other instruments of melodious and melliffiuous sound, shall 
 
 elevate and enrapture the songs of Zion. 1 have only to 
 
 ask you further to apply the subject. 
 
 I have been invited to attend and administer on this oc- 
 casion. With some reluctance and diffidence I have under- 
 taken. To what acceptance and with what success, it now 
 remains for my hearers to determine. My reluctance prin- 
 
\ 
 
 ( l« ) 
 
 opatty arose from the novelty of the scene and my own con- 
 scious inadequacy to the service. This hath been called by 
 many, the Dedication of an Organ, or, the consecration of 
 this instrument of musick to the service of God. This hath 
 been considered a low business, and undeserving such sol- 
 emn parade. I would rather consider it as a meeting to 
 hear this instrument of musick, and worship together in the 
 use of it. I hope none have been disgusted with the-strong 
 expressions of approbation and confidence respecting this 
 kind of musick which have been used. It may be, none are 
 edified, or altered in their opinion, , by the remarks which 
 have been made. I am thankful, however, for such a seri- 
 ous and respectful attention ; and am pleased also with the 
 opportunity I have of seeing you in this temple of the most 
 High God, and hearing the sacred musick which swells 
 within these walls. Indifferent is it with me whether this 
 be called a Dedication of an Organ, or a meeting to worship 
 God with the aid of this instrument. I am willing it should 
 be dedicated, and forever remain and be employed in this 
 house. This however must depend en the people. And if they 
 procure it for this purpose and devote it to this use, it will 
 be, as the face of it declares, " Lans Deo," i. e. Praise to 
 God. 
 
 The self-taught and ingenious constructor* of this curious 
 machine, while he has the admiration, deserves also, I con- 
 ceive, the applause of the public, and the gratitude of the 
 church. The improvements made, by- which the whole af- 
 fair is so simplified and rendered familiar to the accommo- 
 dation and benefit of all, increases the astonishment, lessens 
 the expensiveness, and enhances greatly the value. I am not 
 a stoical hearer of this melody. My liveliest sensibilities 
 are awakened. The thrilling sweetness — the symphonious 
 
 * Mr. Erastus Wattles, of Lebanon. 
 This organ is of that kind which is called a barrel or hand organ ; 
 but of uncommonly large size : its largest pipe is twelve feet in length : 
 » it has ten stops, two of them of reed pipes :'it is so constructed, that 
 
 cither part of a tune may be performed alone or with accompaniments ; 
 end likewise either part may be made to take the lead, at the pleasure 
 of the person performing : in these respects it is believed to differ from 
 all other organs of the kind. Its superior advantages to organs com- 
 monly used in churches, must at once appear: on this all parts of a 
 tune may be performed together; on them but two, except by very few 
 Ifetota ; beside*, any person, with but a moderate acquaintaince with 
 musick, may perform on this or^an ; and thus, the whole expense of an 
 crgaui'st is saved. 
 
C rr ) 
 
 Siarmony ; tog-ether with the sublime grandeur and majesty 
 of the musick, leave the soul well nigh absorbed in extacy. 
 At the portals of exit it stands waiting, under the influence 
 of an almost yielding propensity to quit this feeble tenement 
 in which it is imprisoned, and fly to regions of more expan- 
 sive, vigorous, and joyful exercise. When all the melting 
 powers of sound unite, and with resistless energy dissolve 
 the willing mind, who does not feel an elevating desire to 
 leap up, and accelerate his course to the mansions of glory j 
 there to join that seraphic choir, who once, near these re- 
 gions of sin, sorrow and death, sweetened the air with an- 
 gelic symphony ; while, with celestial ardor they sang, 
 "*' Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good-zviU 
 *' tozvards men." O, with what exultation, must those en- 
 ter the society of the blessed, who are prepared to join in 
 their anthems ! 
 
 But although I plead for instrumental musick, and believe 
 it will go into future and extensive use in the Church ; yet 
 do not imagine that I consider this the principal thing ; or 
 would have you confine your chief attention to this. No, 
 my hearers — neither the voice, nor the organ, however me- 
 lodious, will be acceptable to Godvnthout the heart. I 
 would invite you all, therefore, to devote your hearts to him, 
 who is the object of your praise. You must sing with grace 
 in your hearts unto the Lord ; even when the organ is aid- 
 ing your songs. To render your service complete, you 
 must " sing with the spirit and with the understanding also." 
 See then that when you stand up in this holy place, your af- 
 fections are right with God and prepared to strike in unison 
 with his truth. While you comfort and enliven one another 
 with the voice and with the sound of this instrument, let 
 your souls go forth in such a manner that you shall make 
 melody unto the Lord. Then may you, in a spiritual sense, 
 be dignified with the title of " singing men and singing 
 ** women." 
 
 Methinks since musick is so principal a part of the em- 
 ployment in heaven, those who hope to arrive in that bles- 
 sed world should do their utmost to encourage this noble 
 art. Do I think you will sing there just jn the manner you 
 do in this world ? By no means. I have no such groveling 
 conceptions of Heaven. But I believe the same subjects 
 will form the matter of song. Deliverance from sin and 
 woe — assimilation to God — admission into his presence, and 
 
 C 
 
( 18 > 
 
 participation of his favour, will excite the liveliest gratitude, 
 and swell the most joyful note. O the blessedness of see- 
 ing God and praising him forever ! This is Heaven — this is 
 happiness complete. In this world, what glorious times 
 when the knowledge of the Lord shall fill the earth as the 
 waters fill the sea — when from the rising of the sun even 
 unto the going down of the same, God's name shall be mag- 
 nified ! If religion is to enter into all the concerns of life — 
 if the glory of God is to regulate all the movements of men 
 — if all are to drink into one spirit — be comforted with one 
 hope — be employed in one worship and walk by the same 
 rule, what a heaven upon earth ! Holiness unto the Lord 
 shall be upon men, women, children, houses, lands, and 
 all the possessions of men. Intruments of musick — every 
 signal of approach, and all the appendages of life shall have 
 this holy motto. 
 
 Let me then look around and see this whole assembly 
 dedicating themselves to GOD. Let me see this choir of 
 singers rise ; and, aided by yonder instrument of praise, 
 let me not fail to hear them, with united voices and pipes, 
 shout before this enraptured concourse, " Loud Halle- 
 
 " LUJAHS TO THE L0RD." # 
 
 * On pronouncing these last words, according to a previous agree- • 
 ment, the singers rose ; the organ sounded, and instantly the whole 
 house was full of melody The audience were at once surprised into a 
 pleasing extacy, and the elevating power of musick was felt to an unu- 
 sual degree ; while the closing words of the Sermon, with several suc- 
 ceeding lines and stanzas, were sung in an enchanting manner. 
 
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