p. 83 | The Church Organ

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Feb 7, 1884

The Church Organ.

A WRITER in the London Nonconformist, relating an interview with Mr. Sankey, says:—

"Mr. Sankey and his singing have in several ways distinctly advanced our church music. To him more than to any living person must be attributed the ripening of opinion in favor of organs in Scotland. He did not argue the lawfulness of instrumental accompaniments in divine worship, but he superseded argument by making people feel that organs were consistent with devotion and helpful to it. Of course, like all blessings, organs may be so used as to become a curse. As we converse with Mr. Sankey on this point, he says: 'I use my reed-organ just to support my own voice or the voices of the choir. But, oh! the rushing and roaring of the organ that often greets me when I attend church. The din is sometimes so great that I cannot sing. If organists must make a noise, let them play a solo. When voices are singing they ought to be at the top.'"