Wesley's Directions for Singing

The eminent preacher and theologian John Wesley, who played a part in turning Methodism as a movement in the Anglican Church into what would become a major Protestant denomination, wrote a short essay entitled "Directions for Singing."

Though his brother, Charles, is known as the great hymn writer, it is John's seven directions that provide a guide for the layperson when singing the hymns of God amidst the congregation.

I must confess, after leaving the United Methodist Church and settling in a non-denominational Bible Church, I later read these and basically skewered them as drivel. Thinking the singing of hymns on the organ in the "traditional" way was a manifestation of the "dead orthodoxy" (dead from liberalism in my mind), I believed the more "contemporary" worship was where it was at and any notion of control or modesty was a sign that the Holy Spirit was not present.

Let's just say I was a wee bit wrong there. What I believed then is very common in mainstream evangelicalism.  It took attending a PCA church with an out-of-tune piano as the only instrument, the faitful preaching of God's word, and the love of his people to drive this belief from me.  I am ever thankful to Almighty God for his patience with my stubborn thinking and for changing my stubborn thinking.

I now read Wesley's directions with a smile as I see the truth written there and a funny line or two. I'm not sure what are the mid-18th century versions of the "songs of Satan." May be I don't want to know.

Wesley's Directions for Singing

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 single degree of weakness or weariness hinder you. If it is a cross to you, take it up, and you will find it 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, then 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 close to the leading voices, and move therewith as exactly as you can; and take care not to sing to slow. This drawling way naturally steals on all who are lazy; and it is high time to drive it out from 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 do 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 here, and reward you when he cometh in the clouds of heaven.

From John Wesley's Select Hymns, 1761

When I do sing hymns by myself I do so from an old Methodist hymnal. This morning I was drawn to the hymn "For the Beauty of the Earth" by Fol­li­ot Pier­point.  Verse three, in particular, stands out to me as it speaks of the wonder of creation in the human senses to the glory of God.

For the joy of ear and eye,
For the heart and mind’s delight,
For the mystic harmony
Linking sense to sound and sight.

Lord of all, to Thee we raise,
This our hymn of grateful praise.