Check out this brilliant quote from John Wesley that is in the front of a hymn book dated 1761, simply amazing….

“Sing lustily and with good courage, beware of singing as if half dead or half sleep but lift your voice with strength. Sing modestly, do not brawl so as to be heard above or distinct from the rest of the congregation that you may not destroy the harmony but strive to unite your voices together as to make one clear melodious sound. Above all sing spiritually, have an eye to God in every word you sing. Aim at pleasing him more than yourself or any other creature. In order to do this attend strictly to the sense of what you sing and see that your heart is not carried away with the sound but offered to God continually; so shall your singing be such as the Lord will approve here and reward you when he cometh in the clouds of heaven.”

John Wesley 1761