The Public Worship of God: Its Authority and Modes, Hymns and Hymn Books.
James Dodson
BY
JAMES GIBSON, A.M., D.D.,
PROFESSOR OF SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY AND CHURCH HISTORY, FREE CHURCH COLLEGE, GLASGOW.
GLASGOW:
THOMAS MURRAY AND SON.
EDINBURGH: D. GRANT.
1869.
PREFATORY NOTE.
The discussions in the following pages, with the exception of Chapters vi., vii., viii., first appeared as articles in the Watchword. The author has been requested to publish them in a separate form. Through the pressure on the pages of that Journal, arising from the necessity of immediate attention to other very important subjects, relating to the great principles which it was established to illustrate and defend, greater delay was occasioned in the publication of these articles than was at first anticipated.
As the subject handled in them is not only of the highest intrinsic and general importance, but likely, and that very speedily, to occasion very serious differences of opinion in the church to which the writer of them belongs, it has been considered desirable to proceed with this publication, without waiting to complete in monthly articles, the design as first indicated.
The author has been requested to give them to the world in this separate form. He has great pleasure in complying with this request, inasmuch as, from the arrangements made, and with the entire consent of all parties interested, the already large circulation which they have received through the pages of the Watchword, will be very largely increased.
Page iv
At a time when the great rule of action, not only in the world, but to a lamentable extent in the professing Church of Christ, seems to be, not how to please and honour God, but how to please and conciliate the favour of men, even in things divine, the writer of these pages is not conscious of having any other end to serve, than to be instrumental in promoting the glory of God, in the defence of His truth, and the purity of His worship.
If these pages shall, by the grace of God, the blessing of whose Holy Spirit is humbly invoked, be subservient to that end, both he and all who have kindly contributed to this publication shall have received an abundant reward.
GLASGOW, December 25, 1868.
CONTENTS.
PREFATORY NOTE, — page iv
CHAPTER I.
The Word of God the Sole Authority and Rule, 9
Opinion of the Duke of Argyle, 11
The case of Saul, King of Israel, 13
Doctrine of the Westminster Confession of Faith, 16
The Denial of the Principle laid down in it leads to Ritualism, 18
CHAPTER II.
No Question as to the Duty of Singing Praises, 23
Some Statements by Dr James Hamilton, 25
Dr Hamilton’s Opinion of the Psalter, 30
Opinion of Romaine on Hymns, 33
CHAPTER III.
ALLEGED SCRIPTURE AUTHORITY FOR HUMAN HYMNS.
No Proof that Human Hymns are “Prescribed” in Scripture, 37
Dr Hamilton on 1 Cor. xiv. 26; Rev. v. 9, 38
Meaning of “Psalms, and Hymns, and Spiritual Songs,” 41
Extract on this point from “True Psalmody,” 44
Opinion of President Edwards, 46
CHAPTER IV.
HISTORICAL ARGUMENT FOR HUMAN HYMNS.
Statement of Dr Hamilton—Pliny’s Letter, 53
Further Statement of Dr Hamilton, 59
His Statement regarding Paul of Samosata Examined, 60
Quotation from “The True Psalmody” on Paul of Samosata, 64
Interim Report of Free Church Committee, 68
CHAPTER V.
HISTORICAL ARGUMENT—continued.
“Breeches” Bible—Geneva Bible, 73
The Principle of “not Forbidden in Scripture” indefensible, 76
Page vi
CHAPTER VI.
MODERN HYMN BOOKS—HOW INTRODUCED INTO PUBLIC WORSHIP.
Opinion of Professor Arnold on English and German Hymns, 83
Results of introducing Human Hymns into Public Worship in America, 85
When and How introduced into England, 89
Effects—Opinion of Mr Bennet, 90
Introduction of Hymns into Relief and United Presbyterian Churches in Scotland, 92
Into Presbyterian Church in England, 96
“Scottish Hymnal”—Hymn Book for Church of Scotland, 97
CHAPTER VII.
HUMAN HYMNS—INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC.
Instrumental Music not so Dangerous as Human Hymns, 104
Treatises of Drs Begg, Father and Son, on Organ Question, 108
Remarks on an Article in The British and Foreign Evangelical Review, for July, 1860, 110
The Organ Question—Dr Ritchie and Dr Porteous of Glasgow, 118
Extracts from Introduction by Dr Candlish, 118
Policy of Dr Pusey and Party, 123
CHAPTER VIII.
REVIEW OF SOME MODERN HYMN BOOKS.
United Presbyterian Hymn Book, 129
Character of American Hymn Books, 140
Hymn Book of Presbytery of Antrim, 141
Hymn Book of Presbyterian Church in England, 144
Letter to Mr R. A. Macfie, 149
New Congregational Hymn Book, 149
Hymns for Christian Worship, by Ministers of Free Church, Glasgow, 154
Dean Stanley on the Psalter, 158