It is gratifying to know that chanting has been gradually finding its way into the devotional exercises of Christians of various denominations within a few years past; and still more so, to be assured that wherever it has been judiciously introduced, and appropriately performed, it has met with the warm approbation of those who feel a deep interest in the spirituality of religious worship. There is something so decidedly devotional in this style of singing, that it cannot fail to call forth the sympathies of the pious heart. A chant when performed by a well trained choir in appropriate style, and with just expression, unites the eloquence of Sacred music and poetry; and, surely, no one who is susceptible of religious emotion can listen to the lofty and sublime strains of David, Isaiah, and other inspired writers, when thus sung, and remain unmoved. in chanting, the very words of the sacred Scriptures may be used, is certainly much in its favor, and of itself sufficient to commend it to The fact that those who desire to make "the statutes of the Lord their songs in the house of their pilgrimage." It is also much in favor of chanting that there is in it less tendency to draw attention to itself, than there is in Metrical Psalmody, especial-ly, when, as is too often the case in the latter, the principal object seems to be to perform a pleasing air or melody; or to make the music or tune the principal thing, regarding the words as only of secondary importance. Nothing is more to be deprecated in Church Music, than the constant tendency to mere musical display or exhibition. But chanting seems almost to preclude the very idea of display; it makes music a servant, altogether secondary to the great object of religious worship, and leaves the mind free and open to the full impression of the sacred text. ness to a clear enunciation of the words, to pause and emphasis; its The beautiful simplicity of the chant; its adapted-susceptibility of genuine expression; and its total dissimilarity to Secular Music, are all considerations which seem to render it peculiarly appropriate to religious worship. In addition to which it may be mentioned as an important circumstance rendering the general introduction of chanting desirable, that it is an exercise in which it is quite practicable for the whole congregation to engage. If at first thought it may not appear so easy for a large congregation to keep together in a chant, as in the uniform rhythmically constructed choral; and if it be true indeed, that no one can chant well, or bring out the full effect of chanting, who has not within him the elements of a good reader; still experience has proved that there is no difficulty in making this a congregational exercise, at once pleasing and edifying, which may not be overcome by a moderate degree of attention to it, at least in those congregations where there is a good choir or precentor to lead. Indeed, it is believed that with the same attention to this subject which has usually been given to the singing of psalms and hymns, congregations may chant much better than they can now sing Metrical Psalmody.
Let chanting be introduced into the Sabbath school, (and what style of singing can be better for a Sabbath school than this?) let it make a part of the devotional exercises of every Sabbath, and it will not be long before, it may be founded into the congregation.
It is the design of this work to furnish a book of chants which can be used by the whole congregation in connection with the common hymn book, so that a part of the singing every Sabbath, or whenever the minister shall think it best, may consist of these beautiful, scriptural and highly devotional pieces. The number of selections might have been increased had it been thought advisable to enlarge the size of the book; but as it is, it will be found to contain a large portion of those passages of the Word of God, suitable for the purposes of public worship, with all the variety that can be required.
In selecting and composing the music, it has been the aim of the editor to insert only such chants as are simple and easy of performance. What others can be suitable for the service of the church? The first point has been to have the musical sounds quite within the compass of the voice, so that each part may be sung with but little effort by the class of voices for which it is designed. The next, which is equally important, has been to introduce no progressions either in melody or harmony that are not of the most easy and natural kind. There has been no attempt at difficult chords; indeed, in conformity with the excellent rule of Dr. Crotch, and the example of the veteran in church music, Kocher, very few dissonant chords have been introduced, except the soft one of five-four in the cadence; and in but few instances has any other than a common chord in its natural position been used for the reciting part of the chant. The idea of chanting a long line to a dissonant chord, and thus keeping the ear in constant suspense and expectation of a resolution, is quite absurd. The mind must be at perfect ease to enable one to enter fully into the sentiment; but this cannot be, while it is employed in calculating a dissonance, or waiting in anxious expectation of its resolution. In several instances, the same chant has been set to different selections; and the same suc-cessions of chords will often be found in the cadences of different chants. Utility and not novelty has been constantly kept in view in the preparation of this work.
It is hardly necessary to give any particular directions in relation to the application of the words to the music, as the manner of doing this is sufficiently indicated by the bars inserted in the poetry, conforming to those in the music. The necessity for a division or union of notes in the cadences will be easily perceived, by the number of syllables, or by a dash.
In conclusion, it only remains to commend this book to the blessing of Him whose praises it is intended to set forth, and to express the desire that He would give it success just so far as it may be made instrumental in promoting His glory, and the edification of those who worship him in spirit and in truth.
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