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attention of congregations in general ^ to a subject which is among us rather too much ne glected . This is the more reprehensible , as it is the only part of the service , in which the congregation can join , and the more extraordinary , since there is no part of public worship more truly delightful . I see by your Correspondent's Letter , that he is a resident in London , and I suppose he forms his opinion of the state of Psalmody among the Unitarians in general , from what he hears there . I hope , and I believe , that Psalmody
is better understood , and better practised in our country congregations , than it is in London ^—worse it cannot be , since by the practice which W . A . alludes to , of the clerk ' s singing entirely alone , not only is the effect of the psalm as a composition entirely rained , from the absence of the other parts which are necessary to complete the harmony , but the very end and design of the practice is essentially subverted , namely , its sociality .
Since then , it must be universally admitted , that some . reformation is wanted , any suggestions which may tend to o-eneral improvement , may not perhaps be unacceptable , more especially if they are derived from actual experience and observation . I have , in common with W . A . some degree of contempt for u select societies of singers exhibited in a front gallery / 7 and I equally dislike with him to hear an organist flourishing ; and descanting between everv verse of
a tune . The former I have generally found rather desirous of excluding than of inviting their auditors to join with them , by selecting tunes which contain some miserable attempt at a fugue ; this frequently occasions such a complicated repetition and involution of the words , as must effectual lv prevent any person ' s assisting who is not equally scientific W \\ h themselves , arid must succeed in rendering the psalm , perhaps in itself beautiful , perfectly ludicrous . An organist , where he is permitted to interlude between eveiy verse , will be desirous , of shewing ; the dexterity of his fincrer , ox the extent of his learning ; he will be attempting to
untwist the chains that tye The hidden soul of harmony , and will not be easily persuaded to confine himself to the grave and serious style of good church music . Yet ought we not on this account to preclude those who are com- * petent to assist in the performance of a ps ^ lm tune fro m uniting in one pew , where each can take the part best suit- *
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Ori Psalmody in Unitarian Congregations . 18 * 7
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), April 2, 1807, page 187, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2379/page/19/
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