Historical Hymns and their Historical Contexts [part III]

On page 98 of our textbook, there is a short little comment made in reference to Thomas Symmes pamphlet, Utile Dulci or a Joco-Serious Dialogue, Concerning Regular Singing. It says that this pamphlet refuted the principle arguments against regular singing.

Three observations...First, there was a lot of improvising occuring in church music at that time. So much so that it was just ridiculous. Second, in response, people like Thomas Symmes attempted to remedy that problem by teaching congregants to read music. Third, these efforts did not come without opposition.

When I read the comment in the book, I laughed. I couldn't believe that people would actually argue against reading music and an orderly song time in church. But then I realized that I think that way because I understand the history preceeding their time and the history of their time. It seems to me that a good solution to the so-called "worship wars" today is a good dose of historical education. Only then would one realize that there is nothing new under the sun and that there are time-tested ways of doing things that transcend the cultural trends. Only when a person understands history can they fully understand the times in which they live and therefore make informed, wise, and just plain common sense decisions.