Music And The Bible.

songs and triumphal odes . Tho introduction of harsher musical instruments was also pointed out and accounted for . "The book of Jasher , " which caused such a copious outpouring of ink in eloquent nonsense as to its import , Bro . M . contended meant " the book of war songs and triumphal odes . " Deborah and Barak were then brought in bold

relief before the audience , and that magnificent ode sang by them , as recorded in the fifth chapter ofthe seventh book in the Bible , minutely analysed . Gideon and Jeptha were then passed under rei * iew . The hymn composed by the . gentle and pious Hannah ivas next brought under notice , ivhich introduced her son Samuel . "With the accession of Samuel to thc goi'erinneiit of Israel

as prophet and judge , a new era began in the history of Israel , and , therefore , in that of music . Our lecturer contended that the " School of the Prophets" mentioned iu the Bible meant a musical seminary which Samuel hacl organised . He entered into rather a lengthy disquisition on the question ( we regret that our limited space will not allow us to indulge in the wish ivhich we feel to give it hero ) . It is

not at all improbable that Samuel had something to do with the cultivation of music in the soul of him ivho eventually obtained thc distinguished title of " the Swoet Psalmist of Israel . " Tho solace ivhich David derived from his harp during his great season of trial when Saul persecuted him , Avas dwelt upon . The effect which ' ' the sweet poiver of music " had upon the savage kingivas also pointed out .

, During David's wanderings from the envy of Saul , many are the psalms ivhich the anointed fugitive composed , and divers are the instruments by which he accompanied his compositions , no doubt intended by Providence to fit him for the organisation of the services of the Almighty to be -solemnised in the " exceeding magnificat Temple" which

his son ivas to build . The golden age of Hebrew music may be said to have commenced ivhen David , according to God ' s appointment was made king not only in ivord , but in deed . Solomon inherited his father ' s musical talents and improA-ed them . There can be no doubt that both sire and son bequeathed to their successors written treatises on the art ancl science of

music , ( see 2 nd Chi-onicles , xxxv . 3 , 4 ) The great conflagration of the celebrated Alexandrian Library may have swallowed up in its flames those precious records . It is an interesting fact that we do not find much about the music of the sanctuaiy , in the earlier part of David ' s reign . It was when that king ivas at perfect peace that he reduced the art to a scientific system . The most imposing orchestra in the

annals of music was undoubtedly the one which Ai * as connected with the worship of the Almighty , in Jerusalem ' s Temple ivhen in its gloiy . The orchestra consisted of four thousand choristers ; tivo hundred and eighty-eight accomplished and well educated musicians acted as i ' ugai men . These received their cue from twenty-four directors ; and they ivere presided over by three grand conductors . All this will be found plainly set forth in 1 Chronicles , xxii . xxiii . xxv . Such an arrangement constrains us to admit that the music

of the Temple ivas carried out on scientific principles . The lecturer then submitted analyses of sci * eral Psalms , in order to prove that the structure of them ivere intended for grand performances , something in the style of modern oratorios . The effect of the musical services of tho Temple upon the worshippers , is pithily told in 2 Ohoniclcs , A * . 12 , 1-1 . The art declined ominously after thc death of thc wisest

of men . Itehoboam ' s wickedness proved detrimental to music ; his irreligion and impiety incurred God ' s Avratli . The incessant invasions destroyed peace and happiness , and where neither of those can be found , we seek m vain for music . Thc art revived under pious kings , such as Jehosaphat , Hezekiah , and J osiah . The reign of Hezekiah must have been a glorious epoch for sacred music . Wc can never

forget the great bard of the period , whose compositions Avere sting by Cherubim and Scraphin . Those who are acquainted with Handel ' s " Messiah , ' yvill readily perceive that great Master ' s opinion of Isaiah's muse and music . But ail thc revivals , niter Solomon ' s death Avero but temporary and transitory . The fatal day arrived . Zedekiah ancl " the officers of the Temple were carried captives into Babylon . It was that catastrophe which left on record the matchless grandeur ot Hebrew music , as a perusal of Psalm exxxvii . proves .

Imagine the- magnates of Babylon , ivhoso ears were accustomed to the sounds of cornets , harps , flutes , sackbuts , psalteries , dulcimers , and all kinds of music , asking tho poor emaciated captives of Judea , " Sing us one of the songs of Zion ! " Hoiv volumiotis is this simple episode respecting the great superiority of the music of the ancient Hebreivs

to the national music of all their contemporaries . It is not uninteresting to note , that whilst thc children of Judah were captives at Babylon , that Pythagoras ivas making his grand tour , in the course of which he idsited Babylon , where he remained for some time . The Babylonish captivity did not prove beneficial to the growth of music amongst thc captive Israelites . Great ivas

the decrease of Hebrew musicians after the Jews returned from Babylon . How sadly does Ezra record tho melancholy fact that there were only , among the returned captives , "two hundred singing men and singing women . " HovveA'er , they soon increased in numbers , under the guidance and assiduous instruction of Ezra and Nehemiah ; and the ivorship of the sanctuary assumed some resemblance to that of olden times

and better days . Music was also cultivated for secular jim-poses . The Hebrews of old , like modern civilised nations , indulged frequently in the delectable enjoyment . When David invited the octagenerian Barzillai to accompany him to Jerusalem , the venerable Gileadite excused himself on account of his old age ing " Can I hear more the

, say any A'oice of singing men and singing women ? " When Solomon discovered that the whole world ivas a stage , and everything sublunary ivas " A'aiiity of vanities , " he thus catalogued music in his categorical second chapter of Ecclesiastes , " I gat men singers and ivomen singers , and the delights of thc sons of men , as musical instruments , and that of all sorts . " Both Isaiah and Amos , complain of

thc excess to which secular music was carried . The former thus deplores , ( chap , A * ., ) Judah ' s frivolity : — " And the harp and the viol , the tabret and pipe , and wine are in their feasts ; but they regard not the work of the Lord , neither consider thc operation of his hands . " The latter thus satirizes , ( chap . vi ., ) theeasy goingpeople ofZion :-- "Yo that putfaraivay the ei * il day , and cause the seat of A * iolence to come near ;

that lie upon beds of ivory , and stretch themselves upon their couches , and eat tho lambs out of the flock , and the calves out of the midst of the stall ; that chant to the sound of the A-oil , and invent to themselves instruments of music like David . " The Hebrews had also ballads for harvest time , to which allusion is plainly mado in Isaiah xvi . 10 . They had alsosongs of a A'ery serious character , which thoy used to

sing on their way to Jerusalem , on the three grand festivals , Ai * ith the double A'iew of beguiling thc monotony of the tedious journey , as well as to cheer , each other , not to be apprehensive of any disaster at their homesteads during thenabsence . The Lecturer adduced several other instances iu illustration of Hebrew secular music . Brother Margoliouth then proceeded to furnish his audience with a bird's-eye view ofthe history of music from the dispersion of Israel to the present day . It need hardly be

told that the immediate result ofthe destruction of Jerusalem ivas the temporary prostration ancl paralysis of thc mental powers of the house of Jacob . HoAvever-, Israel's youngest , fairest , and loveliest daughter Christianity , the early Church in the midst of thc great persecution which assailed herin spite of the scorn ivhich was heaped upon her—gloried in a light heart and indomitable soul . The Hebrew

Christians , sang their hymns , liotiviihstaiidhig that thc sword hung over their heads . So whilst tho moerning captive refused to be comforted , tho young beauty , though poor , friendless , lighteds , and contemned—listened to the soothing whisperings of the great- Comforter , who pointed her soul heavenward , Avhcreher bridegroom sat , at thc right hand of Almighty Majesty . Her niiiid , thus filled with celestial in strains

harmony , overflowed in gushing exuberance holy of music divine . Tims ' " it carno to pass that the finest Hebrew music found its way imperceptibly into thc Gentile Christian Church , the foster " daughter of the house of Israel . Tho Lecturer then reviewed thc disputes which took place amongst the Christian fathers , when the Church became utterly ffcntiliacd , about the introduction of instrumental