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The Importance of Music in Education

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 7, 1908

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 85, No. 19.

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The Importance of Music in Education

By A. J. HAYSMER

Our denominational schools are established for the purpose of giving our young people a fitting up to do acceptable service in this closing work. The nature of this work is such that an all-round, practical education is required. In arranging for our city work and tent companies, it is most important to have those in the company who can play and sing. In fact, the usefulness of every worker would be increased if able to do this. But how often we see tent-meetings held without instrumental music, and with very poor singing. The writer knows of one conference, at least, where none of its field workers can play the organ. I believe that this condition of things should not be; and that all our people, especially those who have the educational work in charge, should take a greater interest in this subject. I wish to give a few quotations from the pen of Sister White. She says:
“The chief subjects of study in these schools were the law of God, with the instructions given to Moses, sacred history, sacred music, and poetry. . . . The Spirit of God was manifested in prophecy and sacred song. Music was made to serve a holy purpose, to lift the thoughts to that which is pure, noble, and elevating, and to awaken in the soul devotion and gratitude to God. . . . Music forms a part of God's worship in the courts above, and we should endeavor, in our songs of praise, to approach as nearly as possible to the harmony of the heavenly choirs. The proper training of the voice is an important feature in education, and should not be neglected. Singing, as a part of religious service, is as much an act of worship as is prayer. The heart must feel the spirit of song, to give it right expression. How wide the difference between those schools taught by the prophets of God, and our modern institutions of learning!”
“I saw that all should sing, with the Spirit and with the understanding also. God is not pleased with jargon and discord. Right is always more pleasing to him than wrong. And the nearer the people of God can approach to correct, harmonious singing, the more is he glorified, the church benefited, and unbelievers affected. I have been shown the order, the perfect order, of heaven, and have been enraptured as I listened to the perfect music there.”
“God is glorified by songs of praise from a pure heart filled with love and devotion to him.”
“Let the voices be lifted in songs of praise and devotion. Call to your aid, if practicable, instrumental music, and let the glorious harmony ascend to God, an acceptable offering.”
“In our camp-meeting services, there should be singing and instrumental music. Musical instruments were used in religious services in ancient times. The worshipers praised God upon the harp and cymbal, and music should have its place in our services. It will add to the interest.
“Let praise and thanksgiving be expressed in song. When tempted, instead of giving utterance to our feelings, let us by faith lift up a song of thanksgiving to God. Song is a weapon that we can always use against discouragement.”
“The childhood of Jesus, spent in poverty, had been uncorrupted by the artificial habits of a corrupt age. . . . With the voice of singing he welcomed the morning light. With songs of thanksgiving he cheered his hours of labor, and brought heaven's gladness to the toil-worn and disheartened.”
“The history of the songs of the Bible is full of suggestion as to the uses and benefits of music and song. Music is often perverted to serve purposes of evil, and it thus becomes one of the most alluring agencies of temptation. But, rightly employed, it is a precious gift of God, designed to uplift the thoughts to high and noble themes, to inspire and elevate the soul. As the children of Israel, journeying through the wilderness, cheered their way by the music of sacred song, so God bids his children to-day gladden their pilgrim life. There are few means more effective for fixing his words in the memory than repeating them in song. And such song has wonderful power. It has power to subdue rude and uncultivated natures; power toquicken thought and to awaken sympathy, to promote harmony of action, and to banish the gloom and foreboding that destroy courage and weaken effort. It is one of the most effectual means of impressing the heart with spiritual truth. . . .”
“The value of song as a means of education should never be lost sight of. Let there be singing in the home, of songs that are sweet and pure, and there will be fewer words of censure, and more of cheerfulness and hope and joy. Let there be singing in the school, and the pupils will be drawn closer to God, to their teachers, and to one another.”
“As our Redeemer leads us to the threshold of the Infinite, flushed with the glory of God, we may catch the themes of praise and thanksgiving from the heavenly choir round about the throne; and as the echo of the angels' song is awakened in our earthly homes, hearts will be drawn closer to the heavenly singers. Heaven's communion begins on earth. We learn here the keynote of its praise.”
A. J. HAYSMER.