One of the three founding denominations for the United Church of Canada in 1925 was the Methodists. While John Wesly didn't set out to create a new denomination in Britain his evangelical fervour led to a movement which was given a name that was meant to be derogatory (they were so methodical in their approach) and eventually became a vibrant expression of Christian faith that spread around the world.
I came upon this (who knows where) and it occurs to me that if we methodically applied these 12 18th century principles as individuals, faith communities, and nations of the 21st century our world would be infinitely better.
Since you're here, these are Wesley's Directions for Singing, found at 720 in Voices United. I'm not sure about the first two, but the latter five are gems, especially on a summer Sunday morning!:
I. Learn these tunes before you learn any others; afterwards learn as many as you please.
II. Sing them exactly as they are printed here, without altering or mending them at all; and if you have learned to sing them otherwise, unlearn it as soon as you can.
III. Sing all. See that you join with the congregation as frequently as you can. Let not a slight degree of weakness or weariness hinder you. If it is a cross to you, take it up, and you will find it a blessing.
IV. Sing lustily and with a good courage. Beware of singing as if you were half dead, or half asleep; but lift up your voice with strength. Be no more afraid of your voice now, nor more ashamed of its being heard, than when you sung the songs of Satan.
V. Sing modestly. Do not bawl, so as to be heard above or distinct from the rest of the congregation, that you may not destroy the harmony; but strive to unite your voices together, so as to make one clear melodious sound.
VI. Sing in time. Whatever time is sung be sure to keep with it. Do not run before nor stay behind it; but attend close to the leading voices, and move therewith as exactly as you can; and take care not to sing too slow. This drawling way naturally steals on all who are lazy; and it is high time to drive it out from us, and sing all our tunes just as quick as we did at first.
VII. Above all sing spiritually. Have an eye to God in every word you sing. Aim at pleasing him more than yourself, or any other creature. In order to do this attend strictly to the sense of what you sing, and see that your heart is not carried away with the sound, but offered to God continually; so shall your singing be such as the Lord will approve here, and reward you when he cometh in the clouds of heaven.
4 comments:
I love the last three directions for singing - we do not always achieve this standard !
I'm partial to "sing lustily." I imagine aging congregants, beer steins in hand, praising their Maker like a British soccer team. The last three are good as well, Judy.
I watched a performance of the Salvation Army's International Staff Songsters and the Canadian Staff Songsters in Toronto , back in April, doing a concert at Yorkminster Citadel in Toronto. It was an afternoon musicale, after the weekend , including a choral convocation concert at Yorkminster Park Baptist on April 6..... one female in the CSS was very expressive and could not stand still in the jazzier numbers they performed, and I just loved watching her! The joy of the Lord just exuded from her person! (The rest of the songsters were very well behaved, standing still and watching the conductor carefully) You should give it a watch and a listen, David... great choristers! Ruth would enjoy listening to them as well..."He will hold me fast" touched my heart deeply. I am hoping Mitchell will get it for us to use at BSUC.
Ah, those rockin' songsters. My mother was one, although maybe without the rockin'! Thanks for the tip, Judy.
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