"O may my heart in tune be found, THIS instrument of music is very ancient, and dates from the earliest ages-even from before the flood. Gurney says:- "That invented by Jubal, Gen. iv. 21, and used by the ancients, was composed of a base or hollow sounding belly, with two branches raised on the sides thereof, to which were fastened three, six, or nine strings, which, when played on with the fingers, or with a bow-String, gave a very agreeable sound. From Isaiah's saying that his bowels sounded in mourning as a harp, and from other evidence, it appears that its sound was of a grave and mournful kind; nay its very name, kinnor, signifies what is sad and lamentable.. Solomon's harps were of wood, 1 Kings x. 12. Harps were used in sacred and civil music, 1 Sam. xvi. 16 23. During the captivity in Babylon, the Levitical singers hanged their harps, as useless, on the willow-trees on the banks of the Euphrates, and other rivers in Chaldea, Psalm cxxxvii. 2. The Greeks and Romans had the use of the harp from the eastern barbarians. Our modern harp is of a triangular form, having three rows of strings, and being held upright against one's knees, is played on with both hands, and has a sound somewhat similar to that of a spinnet. Playing on the harp often denotes grave and cheerful praise of, and thanksgiving to God, Psalms xxxiii. 2, and xliii. 4, and cxlix. 3. The redeemed are said to be harpers, because with cheerfulness, and skill, they praise the Lord for his goodness, Rev. v. 8, and xiv. 2.” We find some further information on music and dancing among the Israelites in "Manners and Customs of the Jews," a valuable little book. “Music was used in the worship of the Jews, and at their festivals. On occasions of rejoicing or thanksgiving, both music and dancing were customary. Thus Laban spoke of his desire to have sent Jacob away with the sound of the tabor and harp, as well as songs. The prophet Isaiah mentions that the harp and the viol, the tabret and the pipe, were "in their feasts," Isa. v. 12; and, in the parable of the prodigal son, Luke xv. 25, we find mention of music and dancing on a private occasion of joy. They were also used to celebrate victories over enemies, as by Jephthah's daughter, Judg. xi. 34; on Davids victory over Goliath, 1 Sam. xviii. 6; and on other similar events. Music and dancing were also used on more solemn occasions, as after the deliverance of the Israelites and the destruction of Pharoah's host, Exod. xv. 20, 21; on the removal of the ark by David, 2 Sam. vi. 14; and generally on sacred occasions: see Psa. cxlix 3, etc. But we must remember that music and dancing were also used for bad purposes. The Israelites danced when they worshipped the golden calf, Exod. xxxii. 19. The Amalekites thus rejoiced after plundering Ziklag, 1 Sam. xxx. 16. Job refers ANCIENT MUSIC. to the rejoicing of the wicked in the same manner, Job xxi. 11, 12; and the dancing of the daughter of Herodias, Matt. xiv. 6, ended in the murder of John the Baptist. First, as to music. David played very well upon the harp; and this was blessed by God so as often to make it the means of calming Saul, when the evil or wicked spirit troubled him, 1 Sam. xvi. 23. The prophets also called for music sometimes, when they were about to speak the words they were commanded, as Elisha, 2 Kings iii. 15; see also 1 Sam. x. 5. David had four thousand Levites, who praised the Lord with instruments which he caused to be made expressly for that purpose, 1 Chron. xxiii. 5. These instruments were used in the services at the temple: see 2 Chron. v. 12; vii. 6. The principal instruments of music among the Jews were harps, lyres, a sort of small harp, something like a violin, tambourines, mouthpipes, a sort of bagpipe, trumpets, flutes, cymbals, triangles, musical bells, and others which cannot now be correctly ascertained. Trumpets are often mentioned. Moses was commanded to make two, which were used to call the people together in the wilderness, and to give signals for their marching, Numb. x. These are supposed to have been straight, with bell-mouths, and about two feet long. Two such trumpets are represented on the triumphal arch of Titus at Rome, where there is a sculpture representing the table of shew bread, candlestick, and other sacred vessels of the Jews, as carried in his triumphal procession. It is remarkable, that the heathen Romans should have been led to give representations of several of the sacred articles of the Jews, and that these should have been preserved, while many other arches and representations commemorating their victories over other nations have been destroyed. As to the proper use of music, we well know how it solemnizes and affects the mind; and also that it is often much abused for profane and wicked purposes. This should make us very careful to shun trifling or foolish music, while there appears sufficient warrant to authorise us to use it for good purposes. Like many other gifts of God, it is too often misused; and those who cultivate this talent or ability, I mean those who learn music, should earnestly pray that it may not lead them into temptation, but that they may use it only for the glory of God, and in such a manner as his word permits. They should be particularly reminded of the apostles declaration respecting singing, which may be fully applied to music, “I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also,' 1 Cor. xiv. 15. Remember, it is not the sweet or pleasant sounds that show our meaning, but the words we use, and especially the manner in which our hearts feel them. With respect to dancing, it is hardly necessary to say, that the wicked, or at best the foolish moving and jumping about, now called dancing, is very different from that used by David and others; to say nothing of the evil company to which dancing now always leads. The dancing mentioned in the Bible as accompanying music on solemn occasions, was a grave, regular manner of moving, or a measured step. There certainly is not a text or passage in the Bible, which justifies what is now called dancing. The dancing of Herodias was probably something of that sort, and we know its evil effects. It led to the destruction of the life of a prophet, which tended to fill up the measure of iniquity in Herod and his wicked family. We also find other instances in the Bible where dancing ended badly. Then let the follower of Christ abstain from it: surely exercise can be had without the evils which now invariably accompany dancing, in public, and even private parties. ON SPINNING THOUGHTS. As for plays, or, as they are called, theatrical amusements, which often include music and dancing, it cannot be necessary to say more, than that no true christian will be found encouraging such abominations. The apostle Paul expressly mentions revellings and such like, among the works of the flesh; and says, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God,' Gal. v. 21. The apostle Peter also condemns revellings as being contrary to the will of God. The original word used in both these places is KOMOI, or comedies, and plainly shows that what we call plays are forbidden in the word of God. ON SPINNING THOUGHTS. TO YOUNG WRITERS. As "the spider spinneth her thread from her own body," so are thoughts spun out of the mind of a man. But how is this spinning of thoughts to be managed? Why, in this way. Take any subject on which you wish to think, and write it down on the top of your paper. Then put down your first thoughts about it. These will beget other thoughts, of which take a rough list on another paper. Having done this, take them out and put them in their proper place in the first paper, crossing them out as you use them up. Having done this, read it over and correct it. Then write it out again, and read it again, and as you read it, correct it again, and put in any new thoughts. Then read, and write, and correct, and add to it again. And do in this way six times, a week between each time, or ten times, and fortnight between each time, will be better. When you have done all this carefully, you may spin out some fine thoughts that will make a beautiful web, or in other words produce a paper fit to be put in print and read by anybody. DAN QUEERLIP, (spun finer.) Measham. |