'Beware of formality in singing, or it will creep upon us
unawares; is it not creeping in already by those complex
tunes which it is scarce possible to sing with devotion?
Such is the long quavering "Hallelujah," and next, the
morning song tune, which I defy any man living to sing
devoutly, the repeating the same words so often, especially
while another repeats different words, shocks all common
sense, brings in dead formality, and has no more religion
in it than a Lancashire hornpipe.'
In harmony with the Hymns, he introduced tunes, which appropriately
rendered the words, and were soon used throughout the whole communion;
from one end of the country to the other these have echoed and rolled;
few are the circumstances in which they have not awakened or sustained
some thrilling emotion. They hailed the bridal party as it returned
from the church singing,--
'We kindly help each other,
Till all shall wear the starry crown.'
they followed the bier to the grave chanting--
'There all the ship's company meet,
Who sail'd with their Saviour beneath;
With shouting, each other they greet,
And triumph o'er sorrow and death.'