What Kind of Music Should Predominate in Our Denomination?
By George Ide Butler
At the close of the excellent camp meeting held at Lebanon, Pa., this year, the president of the conference made some interesting remarks concerning the meeting. He stated that he felt very grateful for the degree of God's blessing which had been present. One feature which he considered had been conducive to these good results was the singing, led by Elder J. S. Washburn. The hundred or more selections used were nearly all taken from “Hymns and Tunes.” These were mostly the old standard advent hymns, those that were sung in the earlier days of the message, and many in the congregation remarked that they certainly did have the old advent ring. I heartily agree with the president's remarks, that the singing of hymns expressive of the advent faith had an uplifting effect on the spirit of the meeting itself. And why should the hymns sung in our meetings not have an uplifting influence? This opens up a broad field of thought which seems to me worthy of serious consideration by all our people. Why do we sing in our services? Is it merely to tickle the ear, to enliven the feelings and sensibilities of the people, to stir their emotional natures so they will feel lively and bright? Many may think this to be the real purpose, but I feel that there is a much higher object. Singing in religious service is a part of worship. Paul exhorts us, Speak “to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.” Eph. 5:19. And there are the psalms. What a prominent place they hold in the whole system of Old Testament worship! They were written by inspired men, whose object was to honor God and to increase spirituality in the minds and hearts of all the worshipers. They are among the most beautiful, soul-uplifting writings in all the Bible. They teach humility, devotion, and consecration to God, and they present oftentimes wonderful prophecies. There is not a frivolous thought in them. The same is true of many of our “hymns and spiritual songs.” They all relate especially to the Lord and spiritual life. This is the kind of singing the Bible indorses. Such singing makes the people better. It lifts the soul above the low, jingling melodies of modern song. It leads the mind to God, and to the solemn things of eternity. How often attention is called to the second coming of Christ, when all the faithful saints of God will go to dwell in an eternity of bliss! If any people in this world should carefully consider the music used in their religious worship, securing only that which is of the right character, Seventh-day Adventists are that people. The spirit of our work is very different from that of the popular religionists around us. We live in a very frivolous age. Anything to make a sensation, to have a lively time, to tickle the fancy, to create mirth and make a stir, and to be popular and follow the crowd, is demanded; for these are the things that please and draw. How different the spirit of our message—the third angel's message! How different should be our contemplations! We are a people preparing for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. We claim to be looking for that great event. Our papers and our ministers emphasize the great truth that Christ's coming is very near, “even at the doors,” and the Holy Scriptures authorize this preaching. If our ministers should teach this, why should not our singers sing it? The real work at which we aim, the object we seek to accomplish, is entirely different from that of the popular Protestant churches around us. Great zeal also characterizes modern popular religion, but thorough repentance for sin is not emphasized in teaching or practice. It takes but little moral courage to constitute their so-called conversion. Thoroughness, depth of penitence for sin, and a deep longing for a life like that of our Saviour, are rarely seen in the great revival meetings. We do not say there is nothing good in these revivals; oh, no! but they fail to meet the standard of holy living taught by Christ and his apostles. Hence the modern churches are being filled with nominal Christians, and their music is largely a reflection of their spirit. The songs they sing are not permeated by a deep solemnity. They do not abound with references to the soon-coming Saviour. Any lowering of our standard to meet that of popular churches in any feature is a dangerous departure, which we as a people must not tolerate. The music of a people, of a church, or of a community is largely a reflection of their sentiments, tastes, practices, and characteristics. This proposition cannot be disputed. None can deny the power of music to impress and sway the people. The writer is old enough to recall the time when the advent message was sung as well as preached. In the great movement of 1844 crowds came out purposely to hear the singing. The mighty power of the Holy Spirit accompanied it, and hearts were softened and made tender. The blessing of God went with it, and O, we long to see the same blessing accompany the singing of our people today!