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Letter to Editor
October 14, 1763
The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle
Portsmouth, Greenland, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
A letter to the printer advocating for standing during church singing as an act of praise and reverence to God, criticizing the common practice of sitting or lolling, and citing examples from Seraphims, David, and holy men.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
To the PRINTER.
As Divine Musick excelleth all other Arts in the known World, and is deemed a heavenly Exercise, and standing Part of Devotion; how much the more ought we to endeavour the true Knowledge of it, to perform it decently, and in good Order! and to follow the Examples of all good and holy Men; who have taken such great Pains to recommend it. Not to do it lazily, lolling, or sitting, as is too frequent in many Places; but to do it standing: For it is an Act of PRAISE, therefore we should all STAND up, whenever we lift up our Hearts and Souls to sing the Praises of a loving God, who has done so great Things for us. "Knowest thou not, that thou standest with the Angels? Canst thou sing with them, and sittest thou laughing? O fie, fie for Shame."
The Seraphims all stood praising God; which posture holy David always exhorted all Men to follow, as a Mark of Honor and Reverence to him that sitteth on the Throne, for ever and ever: And shall we make ourselves equal with God, that are but Worms: to sit down when his glorious Spirits are present? No. God forbid, let us blush for Shame, and leave off that daring and vile Practice; let our Voices be in God's Ears, "as a sounding Brass, or a tinkling Cymbal; praising him with our Mouths, but with our Hearts we irreverently deny him.
As Divine Musick excelleth all other Arts in the known World, and is deemed a heavenly Exercise, and standing Part of Devotion; how much the more ought we to endeavour the true Knowledge of it, to perform it decently, and in good Order! and to follow the Examples of all good and holy Men; who have taken such great Pains to recommend it. Not to do it lazily, lolling, or sitting, as is too frequent in many Places; but to do it standing: For it is an Act of PRAISE, therefore we should all STAND up, whenever we lift up our Hearts and Souls to sing the Praises of a loving God, who has done so great Things for us. "Knowest thou not, that thou standest with the Angels? Canst thou sing with them, and sittest thou laughing? O fie, fie for Shame."
The Seraphims all stood praising God; which posture holy David always exhorted all Men to follow, as a Mark of Honor and Reverence to him that sitteth on the Throne, for ever and ever: And shall we make ourselves equal with God, that are but Worms: to sit down when his glorious Spirits are present? No. God forbid, let us blush for Shame, and leave off that daring and vile Practice; let our Voices be in God's Ears, "as a sounding Brass, or a tinkling Cymbal; praising him with our Mouths, but with our Hearts we irreverently deny him.
What sub-type of article is it?
Religious
Ethical Moral
Persuasive
What themes does it cover?
Religion
Morality
What keywords are associated?
Divine Music
Church Posture
Standing Praise
Religious Reverence
Singing Devotion
Biblical Examples
What entities or persons were involved?
To The Printer.
Letter to Editor Details
Recipient
To The Printer.
Main Argument
churchgoers should stand while singing praises to god as an act of reverence and devotion, rather than sitting lazily, following biblical examples like the seraphims and david.
Notable Details
Quotes Exhortation: 'Knowest Thou Not, That Thou Standest With The Angels? Canst Thou Sing With Them, And Sittest Thou Laughing? O Fie, Fie For Shame.'
References Seraphims Standing In Praise
Cites Holy David Exhorting Standing Posture
Alludes To 1 Corinthians 13:1 With 'Sounding Brass, Or A Tinkling Cymbal'