Sermon on Justification
James Dodson
1692-Walter Marshall (1628-80).-A sermon on the topic of justification by a Puritan best known for his seminal treatment of the doctrine of sanctification.
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Girardeau's "Instrumental Music in the Public Worship of the Church."
James Dodson
1888-Robert L. Dabney (1820-1898).-A review wherein Dabney not only praises Girardeau's book but he adds a number of keen observations and insights into why instrumental music should be kept out of the public worship of God.
Read MorePreface.
James Dodson
1888-John L. Girardeau (1825-1898)-This preface explains the origin and impetus for the author undertaking this work.
Read MoreThe Question Stated.
James Dodson
1888-John L. Girardeau (1825-1898)-This is simply a statement of the question under discussion as a logical point. Girardeau wants to express the exact points he believes are under debate.
Read MoreI. General Argument from Scripture.
James Dodson
1888-John L. Girardeau (1825-1898)-This chapter is taken up with the general argument, otherwise known as the Regulative Principle, wherein Girardeau carefully demonstrates that the only acceptable worship is that which God himself ahs appointed.
Read MoreII. Argument from the Old Testament.
James Dodson
1888-John L. Girardeau (1825-1898)-In this chapter, Girardeau surveys the Old Testament Scriptures and discusses the use and limits of musical instruments in the worship of God throughout the period prior to Christ.
Read MoreIII. Argument from the New Testament.
James Dodson
1888-John L. Girardeau (1825-1898)-In this very important chapter, Girardeau surveys the various claims derived form the New Testament to warrant use of musical instruments, including a discussion of the Greek word ψάλλω.
Read MoreIV. Argument from the Presbyterian Standards.
James Dodson
1888-John L. Girardeau (1825-1898)-In this chapter, the Presbyterian standards are surveyed in order to show that they give no countenance to the supporters of instrumental music but rather often lend their support to the Regulative Principle of worship.
Read MoreV. Historical Argument.
James Dodson
1888-John L. Girardeau (1825-1898)-In this chapter, Girardeau surveys the vast historical witness against the use of musical instruments in the worship of God from the early church through the Reformation. He concludes that their use constitutes heresy in the sphere of worship.
Read MoreVI. Arguments in Favor of Instrumental Music Considered.
James Dodson
1888-John L. Girardeau (1825-1898)-This chapter takes up the arguments put forth both from Scripture and from the Confession of Faith for the use of instruments and shows the lack of understanding of those who endeavor to defend their use in the worship of God.
Read MoreVII. Concluding Remarks.
James Dodson
1888-John L. Girardeau (1825-1898)-Girardeau concludes by giving an overview of the several views that are generally held regarding the use of musical instruments in worship together with enforcing his point that it is contrary to the usage of the Presbyterian church to introduce them into the worship of God.
Read MoreInstrumental Music in the Public Worship of the Church
James Dodson
1888-John L. Girardeau (1825-1898)-This is one of the more thorough discussions of the question of the use of musical instruments in the worship of God.
Read MoreA Discourse on Instrumental Music in Public Worship
James Dodson
1871-Robert Johnson (1810-1879).-A extremely well reasoned defense of the anti-instrumentalist position in which he engages several well known objections and examines the plausibility of the arguments of those who would introduce these instruments into the worship of God.
Read MoreThe Organ Question.
James Dodson
1868-W. Robertson.-This pamphlet is the substance of two lectures given in connection with the agitation by some in order to introduce an organ into the worship of God. In 1873, five years after these lectures, the pro-organ party carried the day and an organ was introduced into the worship of Coupland Street United Presbyterian Church, Manchester, England. Mr. Robertson's work is a testimony against this outrage.
Read MoreAlexander Hislop's Appendix on The Instrumental Music of Judaism
James Dodson
1858-Alexander Hislop (1807-1865).-An appendix which discusses the use of musical instruments in the church with an eye toward Jewish usage.
Read MoreProtest Against the Use of Instrumental Music in the Stated Worship of God on the Lord's Day.
James Dodson
1851-Robert J. Breckinridge (1800-1871).-A Southern Presbyterian decries the use of organs in Presbyterian churches and vows never to speak in a church that has one. He discusses the theological reasons for holding to a strict non-instrumentalist position.
Read MoreChapter I. Praise: the nature and duty of it
James Dodson
1849-Alexander Blaikie (1804-1885).-This first chapter is a brief overview of the nature and purpose of praise offered to God.
Read MoreChapter II. The matter of praise
James Dodson
1849-Alexander Blaikie (1804-1885).-This chapter takes up the matter, or substance, of the praises that are to be offered to God. It examines the Psalms and the various substitutes that are often made for them showing the sufficiency of the former and the deficiency of the latter.
Read MoreChapter III. The manner of praise
James Dodson
1849-Alexander Blaikie (1804-1885).-This chapter examines the manner in which the Psalms are to be sung, without the accompaniment of musical instruments. Blaikie discusses some reasons why and the history of a cappella singing.
Read MoreAppendix.
James Dodson
1849-Alexander Blaikie (1804-1885).-A lengthy quotation form William Romaine in favor of the postion advocated in this Catechism on Praise.
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