John Wesley's Rules for Singing

I almost forgot... in this module class that I am in, Personal and Spiritual Development of the Minister, we have been singing different Hymns, throughout the last two weeks. We have been singing a lot of different songs out of the Wesley Hymnal, most of which I have never heard, However, there is a set tune to each song. Now... let me tell you, my professor is known for taking these songs and singing them to any tune, he feels goes with the flow of the song. Yesterday in class we were made aware of the John Wesley's Rules for Singing, listed in the front of the Wesley hymnal. Here are those rules:

1. Learn these tunes before you learn any other, 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 them otherwise, unlearn it as soon as you can.

3. Sing ALL. See that you join with 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 it a blessing.

4 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 its being heard, than when you sung 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 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 out tunes just as quick as we did at first

7. Above all sing spiritually. have an eye on God in every word you sing. Aim at pleasing Him more than yourself, or at 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 contintually, so shall your singing be such as the Lord will approve here, ad reward you when He cometh in the clouds of Heaven.

Now Im sure you all can think of different times in which people around you, and heaven forbid you, have broken these rules. IN the terms of this class we break them daily , and to me its just HILARIOUS!!!!

Enjoy these rules and if you ever run across someone disobeying these rules tell them John Wesley doesnt approve!!!