PREFACE.

This book is the outgrowth of an incident in connection with a class in New Testament Exegesis. During the winter of 1906-'7, while the author was conducting a class of young preachers through parts of the New Testament, the Greek verb psallo (ψαλλω) came up for consideration. Questions on the meaning of this word and collateral subjects became too numerous for proper treatment during the hour of recitation; and hence, to avoid interference with the regular work of the class, it was agreed to appoint a special day at the close of the term, when any questions on these matters, which the members of the class might wish to present, would be duly considered. In the hope of covering much of the ground on which light was desired, the author prepared a paper on Psallo (ψαλλω) which was read to the class and others on the appointed day, and was followed, as per previous agreement, with a free and easy discussion of such questions as had not been answered by the document read. Much of the matter contained in Chapters I.-VII. of this work was presented in the paper prepared for that occasion.

Numerous calls were made for its publication, but it was decided to make some additions to it before giving it to the public. Continued research convinced [ii] the author that, notwithstanding the repeated discussion of the music question in different ages prior to the Reformation of the nineteenth century and the general discussion of it by leading reformers forty years ago, still there was no single work, known to him, which contained either an exhaustive treatment of the term psallo (ψαλλω), or a general consensus of testimony which could be properly regarded as a book of reference on the subject. He was, therefore, encouraged to prosecute his research in the different fields of evidence, keeping constantly in view the aim to make the work a ready and reliable book of reference. No pains have been spared to put within easy reach of the reader all that is necessary to enable one to see how the subject has been viewed by Christian scholars in every age from the beginning of the Christian era to the present time. Hence, in a few hours and within a small compass, the reader can here find what would otherwise require much time and the reading of many volumes. Young preachers and all others, who have not had the time to go over the different fields of evidence, will find it a convenient and labor-saving book of reference.

As to the claim sometimes made that the majority of people regard the question as a "dead issue," we respectfully observe: 1. An issue over which the people of God are constantly clashing and which is causing division and alienation among them, cannot properly be termed a "dead issue," but this is [iii] strictly true of the issue over instrumental music in Christian worship. 2. The discussion of it, the author is well aware, is shut out of a part of the journalistic press, not because it is a "dead issue," but because those who control the press in such cases, for reasons satisfactory to themselves, do not want it discussed; but on precisely the same principle and for the same reason, infant baptism, pouring and sprinkling for baptism, burning incense, auricular confession, and many other perversions of the Bible and departures from it are called "dead issues" with a part of the journalistic press closed against their discussion. 3. As to "majorities," Galileo and the Copernican system of astronomy were in an obscure and despised minority at the opening of the seventeenth century, and the latter was such a "dead issue" with the majority that the brilliant Italian philosopher was sent to prison for his views under sentence of papal authority, but the great principle for which he stood ultimately triumphed and rules in the world of astronomy to-day. Man often places on the "Index Expurgatorius" what God wants "proclaimed upon the housetops." The simplicity of the divine order set forth in the New Testament is the same in all ages, and its friends cannot cease to defend it because of the vacillating popular sentiment of any particular age.

For the advantage of certain readers, it has seemed proper, in some instances, to give Greek words and sometimes a Greek passage in full, but [iv] these, as a rule, are either inclosed in parentheses, or placed in a footnote where they will not materially interfere with the English reader.

The author gratefully acknowledges his indebtedness to friends too numerous to mention by name, who have urged and encouraged the preparation of this work. He is especially indebted to his friend and coworker, J. W. Shepherd, of Nashville, Tenn., Office Editor of the Gospel Advocate, for valuable assistance in the collection of historic documents and in the preparation of the Index.

With the devout and earnest prayer to God that this book may be instrumental in maintaining intact the order of worship revealed in the New Testament, it is now committed to the mission and destiny to which it may be allotted by His overruling Providence.

M. C. KURFEES.

Louisville, Ky., January 31, 1911.