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Mentaigne asserts that oracles ceased at the birth of Christ. Others say they did not. We are inclined to think they never were "ceaseable" at all, inasmuch as they never have been demonstrated to have been anything else than exceedingly intangible and deceptive. Notwithstanding in certain seclusions, they are supposed yet to exist. If any Oracle does exist at this late period, it must be of the Jovian character, as upon the authority of Montfaucon and others. Cleveland tells us that this gave forth its voice from "a forest of oaks, one of which was called the divine or prophetic oak, though all the trees were said to be endued with the spirit." "This, of course, is mere fable," says the historian, meaning, perhaps, that they never were truly oracular, tangible, and infallible. But whether oracles exist since the commencement of the Christian era, we will leave to the exquisitely informed in those matters. For if they do exist, the subject of heterodoxy, of instrumental accompaniments, and particularly of the organ in Church music, is palpably not susceptible at present of oracular disposal. The very complimentary reply of "SIMPLEX" has included everything that I think can be opposed on reasonable grounds, especially in so short a paragraph. We thought enough had been said. — But our friend "Chorepiscopus" has sent a streak of one of his "delicious horrors" through us, and we are thereby worked up into a fever of reply. We of the musical taste are, by our later friend, fairly up as a spectacle unto all the world, not excluding the ladies. We are strung up without a chance to kick — not even permitted to die prettily like the dolphin — we are "tasteless, without refinement, and light." We may, therefore, hang up "our harp upon the willows" forthwith, and permanently, as we shall never gain be marketable. Nay, through our "Popery" our very "spirituality" is impugned, and we are wound up in our winding sheet as of the "ephemeral aristocracy" of the city, &c. and sentence of death is very summarily pronounced, dead — dead. But stop — hold, my brother C. We are certainly a little inclined to life, and by no means deceased. Though your stroke had something of destruction in intent, it had nothing of it in reality, save what Shakespeare said of murder, "it speaketh with a most miraculous organ!" But we are not ready to be decapitated as suddenly as "C." desires, or by the method.
It is a little too late for any one to charge those who are not disposed to reject instrumental aids in the choir, as "wanting in judgment," "deficient in taste," "worldly minded," &c. For these charges will apply to large numbers through the land, in our cities and country, of undoubted judgment and information, "taste" and "spirituality," to the personal knowledge not only of "H." but of "C." We would, therefore whisper to "C.," if we could, let your oraculum come forth a little more on the "dulciano," rather than so much of the "reed" stop — a little more of the "B. flat," brother "C," and we will manage the "C sharp" much more musically. My brother "C." styles himself "Chorepiscopus." According to Mosheim, then, he is neither independent of city nor country. A little here and a little there, in his visits. — Better then, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all the ladies, if not with "all men." For our "boarding school Misses" will to all intents assume different names as well as places at some future period associated with co-ordinate influences. You may find in some Chorepiscopal visit that you have misjudged their abilities, when left to what you are pleased to style their "eccentric voluntaries," they may perform a sentiment upon their vocal organs which "C." will be the last to confound with a "symphony from Handel." The time has been when the subject might have been frowned and satirized out of defense. It cannot be so now. The "Old Dominion" must not be pronounced "The Whole Dominion," and therefore if organs are not considered in taste here, it is not logical to suppose that "there are few in the church," and that "the number cannot and will not be increased." The very church in Philadelphia whose Pastor, some years since, objected to an organ, now makes use of two, one in the church, the other in the Lecture Room. One of the finest organs in that city has been lately introduced into the choir of our Reverend and excellent brother, C.C.C. [Cornelius C. Cuyler], and "H." but lately joined with more than a thousand in the most perfect and devotional harmony applied to the Psalms of David, as read by a Father in the school of the Prophets, at Princeton. In New York, Brooklyn, and other places, the same "taste" and spirit exist to as great a degree, if not greater. Those acquainted with the last few years of our history, will certainly see that a great change is steadily perfecting our church music. We are sustained by testimony sufficient to enable us to know that in more than one place as perfect harmony is to be found in connection with the Presbyterian Churches of our country, under the direction of the Hastings, Mason, Howe, and others, as may be found in the musical world, and this excellence is almost invariably connected with the organ, or some instrument. But why refer to the finest music, and to the intelligent and largest communities? Simply to remind my brother "C." of the work he has cut out for himself, and that as to "taste, refinement," &c., there is a little "of the same sort left" somewhere else than in one place, and in the vicinity of "the oaks." We cannot be too summary, therefore, when we consign "C." to settle the question with them as to musical taste, and with all the world with them.
As to the intrinsic fitness of the organ to church music, we have a word. It is in answer to the objections of "inability to vary the force of the tone," and the "inaccuracy of tone." Few instruments are made, and none is, perhaps, without that means which enables the performer to correct the former objection. This very essential part of the organ, "C." has failed to recognize in his description of the organ. The purest sounds may on the largest instruments be made to melt away as if uttered by the softest breath, yet perfect in its richness and purity, and then to revive with all the modulation, intonation, and promptness necessary. The writer has listened to performers in this country, as well as in Europe, under whose skill the organ, for all orchestral purposes, was just as capable of accentuation and variation of volume as the voices of the choir, with all the superior softness and richness that wins you, despite your criticism. In this power of variation and modulation, it stands unequaled by the piano or any other instrument. Nor is it only the organ at Freyburg, which Lowell Mason describes as absolutely imitating the human voice itself with such precision as to convey the impression of a choir of perfect voices. "H." and many others have heard executions upon the organ, in the Grand Statuary Room at the Coliseum, London, by which one of no extraordinary musical taste could decide what temper of mind the player wished to describe, and the performer could designate the sentiment of certain pieces of sculpture with such excellence, that numbers and even youth will distinguish the statue or group with ease. To the accomplishment of this, something is needed decidedly different from the "long drawn" inexpressiveness of intelligible ideas, which "C." has associated with the instrument, and something else than the musical abilities of "C's" "bellows blower."
As to the objection on the ground of "inaccuracy of tone," I must consign "C." to the musical mercies of our "Boarding School Misses" who can answer the objection with sufficient correctness.
The truth is, though "C." may be correct in reference to the "ephemeral aristocracy of the city,' and its pedigree "from the plough stilts," about the latter of which he may know considerably, yet with all courtesy we suggest a mistake in his idea of the taste of cities and capable and willing churches, that leads them to add anything lawfully to improve the sanctuary comforts and attractions. One thing is true: The subject is before the public generally, and is gaining favor, and if it is unlawful, it certainly is both illogical and in vain to reason against it either on mistaken premises or from abuse of the thing. Upon the whole, we cannot condemn the process against opposition adopted by a certain ancient General. His vessel was in rapid and joyous pursuit of the object just ahead. The soothsayer was very important and busy in consulting the omen birds below, as if the whole victory depended upon his manipulations with these sacred pullets. "Sir," said the haruspex, suddenly appearing on deck, "Sir, we must stop, the birds won't eat; something is the matter." — "Bring them up, let's see them" said the General. "They won't eat, eh?" "No sir," was the reply. Kicking cage and all overboard, "Let them drink then," said the General. They pursued their course, and won the race.
This is much the course with this question. It is organ, or no organ; whilst many are rapidly in pursuit of their introduction, and they are undoubtedly becoming more general. The taste for excellent music is everywhere improving, and anything to aid is in requisition. If we have nothing of greater weight than "sacred pullets" to oppose, and they won't eat, they will be kicked overboard to drink. In the mean time, there will be no wholesome, commanding influence over what might be made most efficiently subservient to the interest of the Church. We fear no evil to the spirituality of Zion from the proper encouragement of every thing that has a lawful tendency to make its heights more attractive, its praises more general, and to turn the current of interest and love into the church we love and honor. One of our most efficient brethren, and one whose labor have been eminently blessed to our churches and his own this winter, finds no decrease of success in the use of an organ in his Church, and one in his study, nor in statedly encouraging the use of the instrument and rules of music in the family according to the spirit of the Directory of Worship, "that we may praise God in a becoming manner with our voices, as well as our hearts." We need more of the earnestness of soul that makes every thing tributary to the great end, as Dr. Johnson says of Dr. Watts, "Whatever he took in hand, was, by his incessant solicitude for souls, converted to theology," and with Dr. Miller, that every plan and object may "point directly to the advancement of the Redeemer's kingdom, and the temporal and eternal welfare of men, as their grand centre." We have no arms, no means to spar. Every nerve must be braced to the onset, every winning influence made tributary. The country, as well as the city, and especially great cities are prolific in death, and the snares and fascinations of the tempter would deceive "the very elect." But then worldlings will frequent the sanctuary. Let them come, we will meet them with the truth, omnipotent to change and save them. — But they will come for curiosity along. Let them come. Many came for no better reasons beneath the teachings of the Head of the Church, when He was on earth, and they are now joining the anthems of Heaven. But some will only listen to the music. Let them listen. The music of a Savior's love should be sweeter, for it turned anew the harps of Heaven, and they will stand a fairer chance with being charmed by it with us than amid the Latin orgies of Rome, to which many are hastening for this reason alone. No, we must make every thing bend to the great end, everything "pro ecclesia Dei," everything "for the Church of God," nothing for error and Satan but sin and death — all things for the Savior and heaven.
H.
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