As the Methodist movement expanded in the 18th century, the gift and genius of Charles Wesley emerged as prominent. Central to inculcating sound theology into the people was reducing great Biblical themes and concepts into lyrics sung to attractive and memorable melodies.

Those 2 qualities of memorable and attractive were essential.

Since those 2 ideas were the means of putting Bible thoughts into Bible people, there was less emphasis upon personal reflection. Not that personal reflection was altogether missing, but it was not the primary goal. Anchoring the soul in Biblical truth was the goal. Being able to recall powerful truths to the mind so that the soul looked up to the God of Heaven in times of joy and trial became a mainstay. In this way, it wasn’t how the singer felt that was paramount, but what the soul of the singer was led to fix upon. It makes me wonder if modern song/hymn writers might not take a page from the Wesley’s book in this regard. But that is a topic for another day.

In keeping then with the emphasis at the time, around 1761 we see what is noted below appearing near the front of the new hymnals. I personally find most of them useful.

I also notice that by virtue of current trends in American worship music, some of them simply cannot be followed. Currently, the music portion of many of our worship services has taken on the cast of a concert rather than thoughtful, gathered, corporate worship. Making the congregation a worshiping entity rather than observers merely accompanying the “performers.”

All that said, I find points 3-7 below of particular usefulness. I want to make them a part of my own consciousness in worshipping with my brothers and sisters in song each week.

I hope you find them a blessing too.

• Directions for Singing.  That this part of Divine Worship may be the more acceptable to God, as well as the more profitable to yourself and others, be careful to observe the following directions.
• 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 slight degree of weakness or weariness hinder you. If it is a cross to you, take it up and you will find 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, than 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 closely to the leading voices, and move therewith as exactly as you can. And take care you sing not too slow. This drawling way naturally steals on all who are lazy; and it is high time to drive it out from among 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 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 of here, and reward when he cometh in the clouds of heaven.