Instrumental music and young people (R. L. Dabney)

[Reformed Covenanter]

The innovation [of musical instruments] is in itself unhealthy; and hence, when committed to the management of young people, who have but a slim modicum of cultivation, such as prevails in this country at large, has a regular tendency to all these offensive abuses.

Robert L. Dabney, ‘Girardeau’s “Instrumental Music in Public Worship”’, Presbyterian Quarterly, 3, no. 9 (July 1889), p. 467.

 

[nickipicki123]

I'm not sure I understand the quote. Is he basically just saying that young people use music for immoral purposes?

 

[Reformed Covenanter]

I'm not sure I understand the quote. Is he basically just saying that young people use music for immoral purposes?

More that leaving the management of church music to young people will lead to further indecency and disorder in worship.