Dialogue Concerning Regular Singing, Conclusion
The Epilogue or Concluſion.
BUT thus my Friends, I've uſed Similitudes. And wiſh what I've offered may be rightly apply'd and improv'd; and if any don't Underſtand any part of our Dialogue, or have yet any Objection I han't reach'd, and fully ſatisfyed; if they'l come to my Houſe (and treat me properly) when I've Leiſure, I will with all my Powers, endeavour their Satisfaction. And wherein we are agreed, Let us walk by the ſame Rule, let us mind the ſame thing, Phil. 3.16.
And I beſeech you all who have Light in this Affair, to put your Shoulder to this Good Work. Conſider, E…ra 10.4.
Finally, Let all our Young People be encouraged to improve the L…ng Winter-Evenings in Learning to Sing. And if this be to teach Children & Servants to …iſ…hey their Parents, Let 'em e'n ſay on. This is as Groundleſs a Cavil as any of the former. And pray don't let Parents and Maſters, by their Example or any other way, teach their Youth to diſobey their Eccleſiaſtical Guides and Overſeers.
Indeed, You that are in your Min…ity, muſt not abſent your ſelves from the Service of your Parents or Maſters, without their Leave. But it's to be ſuppoſed they allow you ſome time for Recreation. And if you ſpend that in Learning to …ing by Note, you do well. I'll be anſwerable for it, if it appear otherwiſe. If your Superiors allow you no time at all for ſuitable Diverſion, it's very bard; but while it's ſo, you muſt e'n bear it patiently, th… I hope we've no ſuch Parents or Maſters amongſt us. However, I charge you to obſerve the Good Orders of the Families you belong to; and be ſure don't be abſent from prayers. And in all things approve your ſelves Good and Obedient Children and Servants; and Sing at your Work, when you can do it Decently; and learn to Sing as well as ever you can. And Remember you've a Maſter in Heaven, and if Superiours Commands are repugnant to His, you're under no Obligation to obey them. And now, The Good Lord help us all to remember This, and help us always to approve our ſelves to Him, who is our Father and Maſter in Heaven, that we may at length meet together, and bear our part in Singing the Song of all the Creatures. Rev. 5.13. Saying, Bleſſing, Honour, Glory and Power, be unto him that ſitteth upon the Throne and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. Amen.
FINIS.
End of the text · Thomas Symmes, Dialogue Concerning Regular Singing (1723)