John Wesley's Rules for Singing (1761)
- 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.
- Sing
lustily, and with a 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 it being heard, than when
you sing the songs of Satan.
- Sing
modestly. Do not bawl, 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.
- Sing in time. Whatever time is sung, be sure to keep with it. Do not
run before, not 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.
- 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 of
here, and reward when he cometh in the clouds of heaven.
