Notes from Christian We begin this season of Lent with a focus on the Wesleys, of Methodist fame. John and Charles were among the 18 children of an Anglican cleric and became Anglican priests as well. While both brothers were actively involved in the Anglican movement know as Methodism that ultimately led to the United Methodist Church, it is John who is credited as its founder. Charles’ legacy became the over 650 hymn texts he penned, many of which have become among the most beloved and well-known hymns ever written. Charles’ son Samuel Wesley was something of a musical child prodigy studying the violin and organ and was often called the English Mozart. He went on to be an extremely gifted organist and composer. Samuel’s son, Samuel Sebastien Wesley, was given Bach’s middle name by his father and became a cathedral organist and perhaps the most successful composer of the family. It is his anthem “Wash Me Throughly” that the choir will sing on the first Sunday of Lent, March 1.
The Feast Day of John and Charles Wesley is the first Tuesday of Lent, March 3, and we will be discussing their hymn texts at the Lenten Series that same evening. In preparation for that event I give you John Wesley’s directions for singing which have appeared at the beginning of every Methodist hymnal yet published and despite their somewhat dated language, are as relevant now as they were when written in 1761.
I. Learn these Tunes before you learn any others; afterwards learn as many as you please.
II. Sing them exactly as they are printed here, without altering or mending them at all; and if you have learned to sing them otherwise, unlearn it as soon as you can.
III. Sing All. See that you join with the congregation as frequently as you can. Let not a slight degree of weakness or weariness hinder you. If it is a cross to you, take it up and you will find a blessing.
IV. Sing lustily and with good courage. Beware of singing as if you were half dead, or half asleep; but lift up your voice with strength. Be no more afraid of your voice now, nor more ashamed of its being heard, than when you sung the songs of Satan.
V. Sing modestly. Do not bawl, so as to be heard above or distinct from the rest of the congregation, that you may not destroy the harmony; but strive to unite your voices together, so as to make one clear melodious sound.
VI. Sing in Time: whatever time is sung, be sure to keep with it. Do not run before nor stay behind it; but attend closely to the leading voices, and move therewith as exactly as you can. And take care you sing not too slow. This drawling way naturally steals on all who are lazy; and it is high time to drive it out from among us, and sing all our tunes just as quick as we did at first.
VII. Above all sing spiritually. Have an eye to God in every word you sing. Aim at pleasing him more than yourself, or any other creature. In order to this attend strictly to the sense of what you sing, and see that your Heart is not carried away with the sound, but offered to God continually; so shall your singing be such as the Lord will approve of here, and reward when he cometh in the clouds of heaven.