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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 3, 1908

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 85, No. 36.

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Methods

By Ruth Watson

Consecrated Music

“THE melody of praise is the atmosphere of heaven; and when heaven comes in touch with the earth, there is music and song.” It is said that when the earth was first created, “the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy.”
Music is one of the best means of impressing hearts with spiritual truths. Cheerful, happy songs drive away the gloom and despondency that come so often to each one. The adversary is well aware of this fact, and in order to make the broad way attractive, has caused to be written a class of music which is bright, but which has no depth of feeling, and whose influence is not uplifting.
The way of the children of Israel was cheered by the sacred songs of their deliverance; so are the children of God to-day bidden to lighten their pilgrim life by song. Such songs have power to transform lives. How important, then, that we study the principles of music, in order that these songs may be sung with the harmony that will approach that of the heavenly choirs.
“As an act of divine service, singing is as much an act of worship as is prayer.” Indeed, many of the songs we sing are prayers, and if sung with the spirit and the understanding, have a power that can not be realized. “If the child is taught this, he will think more of the meaning of the words he sings, and will be more susceptible to their power.” “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.” RUTH WATSON.