APPENDIX D.
James Dodson
In connexion with the argument of our third chapter, in regard to the use of hymns, an inquiry arises, whether songs, such as those which are often prepared and sung on anniversary occasions may be consistently sung? In this we remark, 1. That were Christians agreed in reference to the subject in the aspect in which it has been before us—the use of hymns in worship—this inquiry would give little trouble. If such songs were used at all, it would be only as patriotic songs, for ex-
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ample, are sung on public occasions, or as songs are sung in private circles, for musical recreation or practice, and not under the name of devotion at all. 2. Whether they are so sung, generally, in the circumstances to which we allude, we cannot tell. We presume, however, that, in many cases, the idea of worship does not present itself to those who use them. It certainly cannot, in instances of which we have seen notices, in which the children, and perhaps the adults of a congregation, unite in singing a song prepared as an expression of their welcome to a pastor: and in all such like instances. Still, 3. Inasmuch as these are not necessary: as there is no obligation to use such songs: as the propriety of their use may be often, at least, doubtful: and inasmuch as these are associated in some degree, perhaps largely, in the public mind with the use of hymns in the worship of God, and may be regarded as such worship, we think it is not only wisest and safest, but required of us, to avoid them. We might add, that this whole thing is liable to what we regard as very gross abuse: for example, we have seen a statement of a pastor being sung to on the Lord’s day by an assembled Sabbath school!