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SECTION XXIV.

of the Spirit and Truth of Singing.

Quest. How shall we guard against formality in singing?

Answ. 1. By choosing such hymns as are proper for the congregation. 2. By not singing too much at once; seldom more than five o❤ six

verses.

3. By suiting the tune to the words.

4. By often stopping short, and asking the people,Now! do you know what you said fast? Did you speak no more than you felt?"

5. Do not suffer the people to sing too slow. This saturally tends to formality; and is brought in by those who have either very strong or very weak voices.

6. In every large society let them learn to sing; and let them always learn our tunes first.

7. Let the women constantly sing their parts alone. Let no man sing with them unless he understands the

notes, and sings the bass as it is composed in the tune book.

8. Introduce no new tune till they are perfect in the old.

9. Recommend our tune book.And if you cannot sing yourself, choose a person or two at each place to pitch the tune for you.

10. Exhort every person in the congregation to sing; not one in ten only.

11. Sing no hymns of your own composing.

12. If a preacher be present, let him alone give out the words.

13. When the singers would teach a tune to the congregation, they must sing only the tenor.

14. Let it be recommended to our people, not to attend the singingschools which are not under our direction.

15. The preachers are desired not to encourage the singing of fuge. tunes in our congregations.

16. We do not think that fugetunes are sinful, or improper to be used in private companies; but we do not approve of their being used

tis in our public congregations, because public singing is a part of divine wortill ship, in which all the congregation ought to join.

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The Nature, Design, and general Rules of our United Societies. (1) In the latter end of the year 1739 eight or ten persons came to Mr. Wesaley, in London, who appeared to be deeply convinced of sin, and earnestly groaning for redemption. They desired (as did two or three more the next day) that he would spend some time with them in prayer, and advise them how to flee from the wrath to come; which they saw continually hanging over their heads. That he might have more time, for this great work, he appointed a day when they might all come together, which from thence forward they did every week, namely, on Thursday in the evening.

To these, and as many more as desired to join with them (for their number increased daily) he gave those advices from time to time which he judged most needful for them; and they always concluded their meeting, with prayer, suited to their several necessities.

(2) This was the rise of the UNITED SOCIETY, first in Europe, and then in America. Such a society is no other than "a company of men having the form and seeking the power of Godliness, united in order to pry together, to receive the word qf exhortation, and to walch over one another in love, that they may help each other to work out their sal vution."

(3) That it may the more easily be discerned, whether they are indeed working out their own salvation, cach society is divided into smaller companies called classes, according to their respective places of abode There are about twelve persons in a class; one of whom is stiled The Leader.It is his duty,

I. To see cach person in his class once a week at least; in order 1. To enquire how their souls prosper:

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2. To advise, reprove, comfort or exhort, as occasion may require :

3. To receive what they are willing to give, towards the relief of the preachers, church and poor.*

II. To meet the misisters and the stewards of the society once a week; in order

1. To inform the minister of any that are sick, or of any that walk disorderly, and will not be reproved.

2. To pay the stewards what they have received of their several classes in the week preceeding.

(4) There is only one condition previously required of those who desire admission into these societies, a desire to flee from the wrath to come, and to be saved from their sins.But wherever this is really fixed in the soul, it will be shewn by its fruits.

*This part refers to towns and cities, where the poor are generally numerous, and church expences considerable.

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