Things never change

In reading a little book about Cane Ridge(The Cane Ridge Bicentennial Sampler) I found that one of its early ministers, Robert W. Finley, got into trouble in the late 1700's (before he got to Cane Ridge) for introducing and using the hymns of Isaac Watts in worship. Other congregations were dividing over their use instead of singing the Psalms.

In that period of revival, many were writing hymns in colloquial language using the New Testament rather than the Psalms. The most prolific writers were Charles Wesley and Isaac Watts.

It seems that the Church of England in those days had a law that nothing but metrical Psalms from the King James Version of the Bible could be sung congretationally in their buildings. Many other churches also had this tradition, including the Puritans, who brought it to America. Martin Luther and his followers were the first to challenge this by introducing secular folk tunes. John Calvin, however opposed this and wrote, "Psalms alone should be sung in church, because they are the inspired Word of God and are therefore untainted by human error."

Evangelicals in the church of England (George Whitefield in particular) felt bound to keep the letter of the law, but avoided its spirit by using the new songs in their large open-air revival meetings. ( From Steve Turner's wonderful book Amazing Grace)

We are indebted to Isaac Watts for such hymns as "When I Survey the Wonderous Cross,"
"I'm Not Ashamed to Own My Lord," "Joy to the World," "We're Marching to Zion," and
"Alas, and Did My Savior Bleed."

I heard last night about a woman who sits in Sunday morning services at Otter Creek and mourns that we are bound for hell because of some of the music we use and the clapping and the hand-raising. Things never change.

I believe that some of the hymns and songs we are using today will stay and bless us as long as have those of Isaac Watts.