INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC IN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES.

Evening Star, Issue 3714, 18 January 1875, Page 3

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC IN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES.

To the Editor. Sir—ln your issue of Saturday evening appeared a letter signed “A M-.ml e - of the Church,” objecting to the introdu -tioa of music, into the Presbyterian churches of Otago, in case an attempt,should be made to do so. jf our correspondent appears to belong to the very bigoted class, and one of his principal objections is that it may “disturb the peace of our Zion ” However, in spite of his feeble opposition, it is to be hoped the day is not far distant when ail the Preshv terian churches in Otago will have the organ within their walls. I must confess—although with a feeling of shame—that our Presbyter an churches jare not attended nearly so well as they ought to be ; and what is the reason of this’ It is all very well foi a minister who gives a long and dry sermon —although, perhaps, a good one-to preach for a few days but let him go on for a long period, and the effect Upon the attendance will soon be a marked one. When it is known, however, that a preacher such as Mr Lindsay Mackie, who gives a short interesting sermon, with much energy thrown into it, is going to preach on a certain Sunday, just mark the difference in the number and respectability of the hearers. I must say we have some first-class ministers here, but we cannot expect them all to be alike ; so that some other means of inducement should he put into op -ration to draw people to chu»ch. The music of the organ aopears to have some influence over people which no other music has—the consequence being that it is now used by almost every denomination in, Ota.-o except the Presbyterian one, and that is solely owing to the unwarrantable opposi tion of such people as your correspondent. In Auckland and, in fact, I think, every other portion of the Colony, oruan music is used iu the Presbyterian churches, except 'tago Then let us go back to Scotland, the land of 1 resoyterianism Is organ music not to be found in the churches there? Of course it is; and besides, I believe it is found to be the means of increasing very much the attendance of people at the churches.

With these facts before us, arc we to be led astray by such remarks as those of your correspondent? L should say certainly not Ho is probably an old man, but he must not forget that there is such a thing as a rising generation, and that that will also have something to say in the matter. While the Synod is in session, I th nk an effort ought to be made to get in music. 1 know Dr is one enthusiast in favor of it, and now is his opportunity. If he perseveres he is bound to > ucceed, when I have no doubt he will receive the thanks of all enlightened Presbyterians.- lam Ac., _ . Another Dunedin, January 16