John Wesley on Hymn Singing

I was flipping through the latest edition of "The American Organist" and came across these guidelines on hymn singing from John Wesley. You will recall that he was an Englishman who became very influential theologically and socially, and is credited with founding Methodism. He lived from 1703-1791, and remained within the Church of England for his whole life.

I was first exposed to these guidelines in Quentin Faulkner's class on hymnody at UNL, but I had kind of forgotten about them. Wesley had put them in a book called "Select Hymns" (1791). I am sure you will enjoy them!

1. Learn these tunes before you learn any others; afterwards learn as many as you please.

2. 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 them as soon as you can.

3. 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.

4. 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, than when you sang the songs of Satan.

5. 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.

6. Sing in time. Whatever time is sung be sure to keep up 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 too 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.

7. Above all, sing spiritually. Have an eye to God in evdery word you sing. Aim at pleasing him more than yourself, or any other creation. 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.