26 CHURCH MUSIC, 
performed their duty to god in a very improper manner, if they 
did not chaunt his praife. And what would our common 
people fay were they not permitted to ling pfalms ? Indeed the 
true fpirit of devotion is not always kept up in this manner of 
worfhipping the almighty ; but without it, we may queftion 
if our common people would ever chufe to come to the public 
worfhip of god. 
Nor does this fpirit predominate with the vulgar only. Be- 
fides anthems in churches, which all the w~orld admires, ex- 
cept a few who think mu He and heaven have no connexion, 
you have heard old-fafhioned people talk of fpiritual fongs. In 
this very polite age, we hardly know what is meant by spiri- 
tual songs y they are feldom mentioned but in ridicule. But 
let us do juftice to the votaries of modern politenefs, they have 
a tafte for oratorio’s, perhaps from the fame motives. When 
this entertainment gives place to loofe, or filly feenes, I fhall 
think the caufe of religion ftill upon the decline. Tho’ im- 
moral and unchafte reprefentations are allowed on our theatres, 
dill we pay a certain veneration to an oratorio. Who hears the 
Messiah unmoved ? Who conliders it as a mean entertainment ? 
In fpite of the little narrow tafte which prevails amongft us, 
we ftill have a relifh for the fublime compofttions of handel 
and fome other mafters in church muftc, and I hope we fhall 
keep that tafte alive. 
Music as well as poetry depends much on the imagina 
tion, and the love of them leads fome aftray ; they make 
{trumpets of the mufes, or by being captivated by them out of 
meafure. 
