ng
upon "invented tunes, such as please the carnal mind," and upon words
which have been committed to memory in order to be sung therewith,
takes the place of that expression which comes from the heart and is
uttered under a sense of the Divine requiring, then those who take
part therein fall into that "formal," "customary," "artificial" way of
singing, against which the Society of Friends has borne a steady
testimony from its rise.

* * * * *

These observations apply to vocal religious exercises in the family as
well as in more public gatherings.

* * * * *

We believe the tendency of this artificial music on the mind, even
when attuned to the expression of religious sentiment, and accompanied
by the language of Divine worship, is to "lead the soul almost
insensibly to substitute a pleasing emotion which ends in self, for
those spiritual sacrifices which are acceptable to God by Jesus
Christ, even a broken and contrite heart, and that communion with the
Father and the Son which results from loving God and keeping his
commandments."

* * * * *

In congregational singing, there is an added inconsistency. For, it is
in the highest degree improbable that those assembled on such
occasions will be in such a frame of mind as will fit them properly
and truthfully to join in the offering of the prayers or praises
expressed in the hymns which may be given out to be sung. This
objection is pointed out by Barclay in his Apology, where, after
stating that "the formal customary way of singing hath no foundation
in Scripture, nor any ground in true Christianity," he adds, "all
manner of wicked, profane persons take upon them to personate the
experiences and conditions of blessed David; which are not only false
as to them, but also to some of more sobriety, who utter them forth."
"Such singing doth more please the carnal ears of men, than the pure
ears of the Lord, who abhors all lying and hypocrisy." (_Prop. XI,
sect. 26._)

This difficulty has been felt by many sincere persons who were not
members of our Society, and has prevented some of them from joining in
such performances. John Spalding, while still a member of the
established Church of England, was so convinced of its inconsistency,
that he addressed a letter to those who met at the place of worship
which he was accustomed to attend, in wh