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Mr. Editor — I see a disposition manifested by some of your correspondents, to discuss the propriety of introducing the use of organs into the public worship of God. I am well aware that this has long been a controverted subject, and that much has been, and can be said on both sides of the question. Probably it would be impossible, at this time, for any one, however gifted, to bring forward arguments that would fully satisfy and harmonize the contending parties. Some advocate the use of organs, as a mere matter of taste: — their principal object is to gratify a musical ear with its grand and solemn tones. — Others regard the organ as an innocent accompaniment, and an important auxiliary to the human voice, when the high praises of God are sounded in his sanctuary; and in support of their opinion, they appeal to the use of instrumental music, in the worship of God, under the old dispensation. On the other hand, some are opposed to the use of organs, from strong and deep rooted prejudices, arising from the fact, that they were first introduced into the worship of God, under the Christian dispensation, by the idolatrous church of Rome, and for centuries, have been considered almost an essential appendage to the rites and ceremonies of that church. — They look upon them much in the same light as they do the use of images, relics, &c. There is another class, who are opposed to the use of organs, because they sincerely believe, that that worship is most acceptable to God, and most profitable to man, which flows from a broken and contrite heart, unaccompanied by any of those contrivances of art, which are calculated merely to divert and gratify the senses, whilst they disturb the
sweet serenity of the soul, and interrupt its communion with God.
It is not my design, Mr. Editor, to argue either side of the question, as it regards the lawfulness or the unlawfulness of using organs in the worship of God: — my object is, to make a few remarks, with respect to the expediency of using them. Things may be lawful, and yet not expedient; — and therefore, under certain circumstances, cannot be innocently used.
In the first place, I think it would be highly inexpedient to introduce an organ into any church, where a portion, — even a small minority of its devout members, were decidedly opposed to it. This, I think, would be in direct violation of the spirit of the gospel, as manifested by the apostle Paul, when he said, "If meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth. When ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. There are some persons; and they are often among the most devout and spiritual minded members of the church, who are so opposed, and conscientiously opposed, to the use of organs, that they cannot worship with edification and comfort, in any church, where an organ is used. You may call it weakness, if you will, but it is the same kind of weakness as that which actuated the Waldenses, the Reformers, the Puritans, and the Fathers of the Scottish church, when they defended and maintained the truth, at the expense of their lives, and everything that they held dear on earth. Much that is called weakness, and superstition, at the present day, constitutes the very essence of that worship, which is most pleasing and acceptable in the sight of God.
Again, I would say, that is was highly inexpedient to introduce an organ into a church, that is heavily encumbered with debt. "Be just before you are generous," may be a maxim of worldly origin, but it is in strict accordance with the spirit of the gospel. As organ music is non essential to the acceptable worship of God, I think it would be highly improper for any congregation, already burdened with debt, to increase their indebtedness, by the expense of an organ. Some, to whom they are indebted, might need that money, to procure the necessaries of life, for their suffering families. Nothing, perhaps more completely cripples the energies of a church, and hinders its prosperity, than to be saddled with a heavy debt. Whatever, therefore, unnecessarily tends to increase that burden, tends to destroy the salutary influence of that church, and even to jeopardize its existence. Again, I would say, that it is inexpedient for ANY church, to incur the expense of an organ, whilst the wants of the church, and of the world, are so many, and so pressing. The most zealous advocates for the use of organs, do not pretend that they are required by any direct, or implied command of God: — so that if there is no impropriety in using them, there is no criminality in dispensing with them. It is under this view of the subject that I say, that it is inexpedient, at the present time, for ANY church to incur the expense of an organ. I will give some of my reason, and let the candid reader judge what I say.
1st: There is no city in the United States (and it is in cities, that organs are chiefly used), which does not contain many families of virtuous and respectable character, who, after all the efforts that they can make, are in want, not only of the comforts, but often, even of the necessaries of life. Rather than expose themselves to the cold charities, and insolent rebukes of an unfeeling world, they often pine away in silence and solitude, and sink to the grave, unnoticed, and uncared for. I do not suppose that many in our land of plenty, die of actual starvation; but I have not doubt, that the want of those things which are needful in a delicate state of health, and a chilling sense of neglect, which withers the soul, often hurries to the grave persons of sensitive minds, who felt that they had a claim upon their fellow men and fellow Christians, for a little portion of that abundance, with which God had blessed them. Mr. Editor, there is a great deal of that charity in the world (and I fear some in the church too), that most readily says, "Depart in peace and be ye warmed, and be ye filled:" — but how few are there of those to whom God has given an abundant store, that seek out the abodes of poverty and sorrow, — administer with their own hands to the wants of necessitous, and by words of kindness and sympathy, call down on their heads the blessings of those who are ready to perish. Alas! there are those in our wealthy churches, who feel that it is a great condescension, almost a degradation, to notice, and speak kindly to a poor brother or sister. As a matter of expediency, would it not be infinitely better, to give a little of our abundance, to cheer the hearts of the poor and needy, — the suffering members of Christ's body, — than to expend it for an organ, to discourse sweet music to our ears, but which will not give bread to the hungry, or comfort to the afflicted! Our Savior has said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive;" "Inasmuch as ye did it not unto one of the least of my brethren, ye did it not to me."
2nd. Again, I would say, that it was inexpedient for ANY church, to go to the expense of a organ, whilst the wants of the church, at large, are so numerous, and so urgent. Christians are the representatives of Christ upon earth, and to the church he has committed the glorious work of sending the gospel to every member of the human family. Every church, and every member of the church, is solemnly bound, according to their ability, to aid in carrying forward the great work for which the Savior died. It was for that purpose that Christ redeemed them with his blood; and when they entered into covenant with him they solemnly consecrated, not only themselves, but all that they possessed, to be used for the glory of God, and the building up of Christ's kingdom in the world. Now I would ask (and I wish every Christian would ask himself, as in the presence of God, and at the judgment seat of Christ), whether ANY church has money to spend upon an organ, when almost every society, and institution, that is laboring for the conversion of the world, is either embarrassed with debt, or has its operations contracted, and crippled to a great extent, for want of funds. Where is the society that is doing one half the good that it might do, if it had funds to carry out its designs? And from whom are the funds to come, if not from those who are the consecrated stewards of God, and who have called heaven and earth to witness that they love God, and his cause, above every thing else? How rapidly would the gospel spread through the world, if every professed follower of Christ, was as zealous in promoting the interests and spread of his kingdom, as they often are in promoting the temporal interests and welfare of their families. If all the money that is extravagantly expended in erecting splendid churches, and furnishing them with costly organs, was expended in furnishing the Bible, and sending the gospel, to the destitute, both in Christian and heathen lands, — how much good might be done; — how many souls might be saved; — how soon would the earth be filled with the knowledge of the Lord.
I hope, Mr. Editor, that neither you, or your readers, will for one moment suppose that I am an enemy to neat and convenient houses of worship. — or that I have no relish for the songs of Zion, when set to notes of the most exquisite sweetness. But I have long been of opinion, that a vast amount of money was needlessly expended, to say the least, upon elegant churches, and fine organs, that ought to have been cast into the treasury of the Lord, and used for the spread of the gospel, and the salvation of souls. I do not believe that a soul was ever converted by gazing at the superb magnificence of a church, or by listening to the lofty and thrilling notes of an organ.
Rusticus
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