The Power of Song by HENRY DE FLUITER

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 19, 1914

The Power of Song

By HENRY DE FLUITER

HENRY DE FLUITER

“Music hath charms to soothe the savage breast.” These words of the poet are literally true. Music is one of the greatest powers in the world today that will draw the attention of men and women, old and young, saint and sinner alike. It is one of the great gifts to man of which the devil has taken full advantage. God’s great gift has been perverted to serve the baser instincts of mankind. But this fact does not in the least hinder us from using it to God’s glory.

It was Paul and Silas, at midnight, who gave expression in song to glorify God in the hour of trial. It was Martin Luther’s own hymn, “A mighty fortress is our God,” that cheered him and his colaborer Melanchthon in the hour of

their trial. Coming to our own day, those men of God, Moody and Sankey, pioneers in revival work, found it a tremendous factor in the success of their labors. I can remember, when but a child, attending one of their meetings, and the impression made was so great that it proved a lasting inspiration for a life work.

Many a soul has been won to Christ through the power of gospel song. As a people we have not taken advantage of this powerful agency in our work as we should. We have not appreciated its real value to enhance our meetings and to bring people to them. We need to develop our young men to become leaders in this work. Could all our meetings, especially our city efforts, be well supported musically, what a wonderful aid it would be to the evangelist! Oftentimes the right hymn, at just the right time, will cause a man to yield his heart to God.

Have you not been in a consecration meeting when men and women were yielding their all to Christ for service, when just then some one sang, “I’ll go where you want me to go, dear Lord, over mountain, or plain, or sea,” or, “Consecrate me now to thy service, Lord, by the power of grace divine,” and your heart was made to rejoice as you joined in the singing? It seemed to clinch the determination in your own soul, and you left the meeting with that consecration hymn still ringing in your ears.

Good hymns in the service of God are the seasoning that makes the whole so delectable. As a preventive of evil thoughts lurking in your minds, let me suggest this remedy: Sing a hymn. As you go about your daily duties, at home, in the factory, in the street, keep a hymn in mind. Sing it, whistle it, hum it, as the circumstances may warrant, and there will not be much danger of sinful thoughts occupying your minds.

If His love is in the soul, And we yield to his control, Sweetest music will the lonely hours beguile; We may drive the clouds away, Cheer and bless the darkest day, If we keep the heart a-singing all the while.

Washington, D. C.