Now the teaching of the text just cited is decisive, not only against such performers in choirs, but against the choirs themselves, if by the latter term is meant certain ones employed to dispense music for the delectation of the congregation. For observe how distinctly the mutual and inter-congregational character of Christian singing is here pointed out: "Speaking _to one another_ in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs." The one feature of the worship of the church, which distinguishes it radically and totally from that of the {155} temple, is that it is mutual. Under the law there were priests and Levites to minister and people to be ministered to; under the gospel there is a universal spiritual priesthood, in which all minister and all are ministered to. Every act of service belonging to the Christian church is so described. There must be prayer, and the exhortation is, "Pray _one for another_" (James 5: 16). There must be confession, and the injunction is: "Confess your sins _one to another_" (James 5: 16, R. V.). There must be exhortation, and the command is: "Exhort one another" (Heb. 3: 13). There must be love, and we are enjoined to "love _one another_" (1 Peter 1: 22). There must be burden-bearing, and the exhortation is: "Bear ye _one another's_ burdens" (Gal. 6: 2). There must be comforting, and the command is: "Wherefore comfort _one another_" (1 Thess. 4: 18). So with the worship of song. Its reciprocal character is emphasized, not only in the passage just quoted, but also in the Epistle to the Colossians: "Teaching and admonishing _one another_ in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs" (Col. 3: 16). This is according to the clearly defined method of the Spirit in this dispensation. He establishes our fellowship with the Head of the church, and through him with one another. All blessing in the body is mutual, and the worship which is ordained to maintain and increase that blessing is likewise mutual. {156}