Worship just Psalms ?

A few years ago in Scotland some Presbyterian denominations had a challenge about Worship music. The feeling of using new worship songs or old worship songs instead of purely the Psalms becoming a bit of a struggle.

Also there was the wishes of some to use musical instrument to accompany the worship. By the way I am not knocking Presbyterians stay with me.

Background

Opposition to Hymns and instruments is not restricted to one arm of the Presbyterian Church. But James Begg was a promoter of the use of Psalms and no instruments. Robert Murray McCheyne was a Hymn writer who found it difficult to leave the establish Church but did so to support the Free Church ethos.

In 1866 the Free Church voted 3 to 2 for the use of hymns. In 1869 Begg was unsuccessful in curtailing Hymns. In 1872 the Church accepted the “New Hymn book“ 213 votes to 61. In 1877 Prof Bruce wished to have their “Own Free Hymn Book” with Begg supporting a defence of no change position.

Then in 1892 the assembly with drew permission to use instruments for worship and uninspired Hymns in public worship.

The Free Church of Scotland is know for its “Psalm only” singing in Scottish Churches.

In recent years individual Free Churches of Scotland have had the liberty at session level to decide if the local Church would sing only Psalm or include Hymns and spiritual songs. There are about dozen who now incorporate more than psalms in their worship. John MacDonald (The Apostle of the North) 1779-1849 Ferrintosh, was a Gaelic spiritual verse writer. Interesting to have an hymn writer in a Psalm singing denomination.

So in recent years when one church was unable to command a final order on worship in its church it asked its local churches to decide for themselves whither to use other songs, and instruments.

I found that really interesting that a good Congregational/Baptist principle was used to aid the Presbyterian churches outcome. Let the local church decide.