Christian Theology - Media Sabda Org

unction of God do not prevail in Christian assemblies, priests and people
being destitute of both, their place, by general consent, is to be supplied
by imposing ceremonies, noise, and show.
The Church of Rome, in every country where it either prevails or
exists, has so blended a pretended Christian devotion with heathenish and
Jewish rites and ceremonies, two parts of which are borrowed from pagan
Rome, the third from the Jewish ritual ill understood, and grossly
misrepresented, and the fourth part from other corruptions of the
Christian system. Nor is the Protestant church yet fully freed from a
variety of matters in public worship which savours little of that simplicity
and spirituality which should ever designate the worship of that infinitely
pure Spirit who cannot be pleased with any thing incorporated with his
worship that has not been prescribed by himself, and has not a direct
tendency to lead the heart from earth and sensual things to heaven, and
to that holiness without which none shall see the Lord. The singing, as it
is practised in several places, and the heathenish accompaniments of
organs and musical instruments of various sorts, are as contrary to the
simplicity of the gospel, and the spirituality of that worship which God
requires, as darkness is contrary to light. And if these abuses are not
corrected, I believe the time is not far distant when singing will cease to
be a part of the divine worship. It is now, in many places, such as cannot
be said to be any part of that worship which is in spirit and according to
truth. May God mend it!
Charles Wesley, A.M., was the best Christian poet in reference to
hymnology that has flourished in either ancient or modern times. The
hymns used in the religious services of the Methodists were composed
principally by him; and such a collection exists not among any other
people. Most collections among other sects of Christians are indebted to
his compositions for some of their principal excellences.