But as the mind has another language of sighs and tears, very different from that of praise and triumph, so the scale of music affords us a melancholy key with the lesser third, and a mournful sort of harmony proceeding by semi-tones, which is exceedingly fine and solemn, and reaches to the bottom of the soul, as the lighter sort of music plays upon the top of it. That musical sounds are applicable to prayer and supplication and penitential sorrow, none will doubt, who hears the Anthem, I call and cry; or that other, Call to remembrance, O Lord; by two of our most ancient and excellent composers*: or that versicle of the Burial Office, Thou knowest, Lord, the secrets of our hearts, by the greatest of modern masters . Thus much for the subjects of music. The form of the Anthem derives itself naturally from the structure of some of the Psalms, in which we so frequently find the soliloquy, the dialogue, and the chorus. Thus, for example:-The-Lord hear thee in the day trouble, is the voice of a company encouraging a priest in his intercession; who also answers for himself, and expresses his confi Tallis and Farrant. + Purcel. dence; dence; Now know I that the Lord helpeth his anointed: then all join together in supplication; Save Lord, and hear us when we call upon thee. The solo, the verse, and the chorus, in our church music, express all these turns in the sacred poetry, when they are pro.. perly applied. The responsory form of our chanting by alternate singing in the choir is agreeable to the heavenly worship of the seraphim, in the vision of the prophet Isaiah, where they are represented as crying one to another with alternate voices * Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Hosts. The version of the Psalms into poetical metre leads to a sort of Psalmody so plainly measured, as to be easily comprehended and performed by the generality of the people in a congregation; and simple as this music may appear, may appear, the greatest masters have thought it worthy of their cultivation, and we have some divine pieces of harmony in this kind. The old hundredth Psalm, which is ascribed to Martin Luther, is deservedly admired; the 113th is excellent; so is the old 81st, the 148th, and many others, which are judiciously retained in our congregations. * Alternis dicetis, amant alterna Camænæ. VIRG. Such Such is the state, and such the excellence of our music, in the Church of England; and long may the sound of our cathedrals and churches go up to heaven, and reach the ears of the Lord of Sabbaoth. To what hath here been said on the nature, and use, and state of music, I wish it were in my power to add something effectual toward the reformation of some abuses; for such will find admission into all societies, through negligence in some, and want of judgment in others. As God is the greatest and best of beings, and it is the highest honour of man in this life to serve him, every thing relating to his worship should be ordered with decency, propriety, reverence, and affection. I will sing with the understanding, saith the Apostle: so should we sing, and so should we perform, in all our approaches to the throne of Grace; our music should be the music of wise men and of Christians. No lame, or maimed, or defective sacrifice was permitted to be offered in the temple of God; who, being the first proprietor of all things, hath a claim to the best of every thing, and consequently to the best music, performed in the best manner we are able. Church Church music has a proper character of its own, which is more excellent than that of secular, or profane music, and should always be preserved. Without the restraints of discretion, wisdom, and authority, the art of man is apt to run out into excess and impropriety; and while it affects to be too fine, and too powerful, becomes ridiculous. What is it but vanity that betrays the poet into bombast, the orator into buffoonery, the composer of music into useless curiosity, the performer into ineffectual rapidity and flourish? Thus do men always fail of their end, when they think more about themselves than about their subject. Queen Elizabeth, therefore, took what care she could by her injunctions, that affectation, which spoils all other things, should not be permitted to spoil the music of the Church and it hath been rightly observed, that the music from the Reformation to the Restoration was more plain and solemn in its style than that which succeeded; though it still preserved great excellence. The performer on the organ, who, for the time he is playing by himself, hath the minds of the congregation under his hand, should take care not to mislead the ignorant into vain fancies, nor to offend the judicious with unreasonable unseasonable levity. In the tone of the diapasons of the church organ, there is nothing noisy and military, nothing weak and effeminate, but a majestic sweetness, which is fittest to dispose the mind of the hearer to a devout and holy temper. If the diapasons could speak in articulate words, there is not a text in the Bible which they would not utter with dignity and reverence; and hence their music is of excellent use to prepare the people for the hearing of the Scripture. Many here present must have felt the effect of it and I hope I shall give no offence if I add it as a suspicion, that they who do not feel the power of slow harmony upon the organ, have not the right sense of musical sounds. The organist should, therefore, by all means, cultivate that style of harmony which is proper to this noble capacity of his instrument. The Psalmody of our country churches is universally complained of, as very much out of order, and wanting regulation in most parts of the kingdom. The authority of the minister is competent to direct such music as is proper, and to keep the people to the ancient forms. A A company of persons, who appoint themselves under the name of the singers, assume |