Music: Its Power and Significance
By Elder E. W. Whitney
Its Power and Significance.
THERE are doubtless but few persons, provided they give the subject thought, who do not recognize in music a power which produces under certain circumstances effects which nothing else will. These effects are exceedingly varied both in kind and degree, according to the nature of the music and the mental condition of the individual. The least reflection will supply illustrations of such effects, as, for example, upon the battle field its effect is to secure precise and united movement, and to inspire courage; while, on the other hand, under certain conditions it subdues the most intense feelings of passion and hatred. It sometimes excites the most pleasurable emotions, while at other times it will produce those the most sad and gloomy. The effect of a musical chord upon the feelings of an infant child is often surprising and wonderful. Its effects are not confined to the civilized alone but are equally potent upon the uncivilized. Brutes are also susceptible to its influence in a marked degree. But in no direction are the powers of music so manifest and remarkable as in its religious use. In fact, when rightly comprehended, religion and music are inseparable. When pure religion is experienced in full measure, the soul will be filled with the truest kind of music. Thus Paul says: "Be filled with the Spirit; speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody [Greek, music] in your heart to the Lord" (Eph. 5:18, 19); and, again, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord" (Col. 3:16). Notice that when one is "filled with the Spirit" and "the word of Christ dwells richly" in him, the effect is music in the soul, expressed in singing of "psalms and hymns and spiritual songs." This intimate relation between religion and music appears evident and natural from a careful study of the true idea of both. The highest conception of true religion is only obtained by such a knowledge of God and his character as brings to the soul a living conviction of the harmony and absolute perfection of all his work; and by this conviction the soul itself is brought into harmony with God. In other words, the plan of God in the salvation of men is harmony from beginning to end. Understanding, appreciating, and coöperating in the plan brings the soul into this harmony. Now Webster's primary definition of music is "harmony." It is the science of all sciences based solely upon the principles of harmony. Indeed, one has no just conception of music to whom it is not the most complete expression of harmony of anything which affects the senses. It may be objected that discord is necessary to the production of the highest type of music, which is certainly true; or, otherwise expressed, the proper use of discords heightens the effects of the concords. This fact, however, instead of being a real objection, only strengthens the idea that music is an expression of the harmony existing in God's plan, the harmonies representing God's part in the work, and the discords, the seeming imperfections connected with it in consequence of sin. And as discords heighten the effects of concords in music, so the imperfections which enter into the work of God through sin will demonstrate, as nothing else can, the absolute perfection of God's plan. And when the plan shall result in the final and complete destruction and eradication of sin from the universe, placing it beyond the possibility of a second contamination, then the beauty and perfection of the work will appear more wonderful and striking by contrast. That this is the purpose of God in permitting sin may be clearly seen from the following scriptures: "Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself; that in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth" (Eph. 1:9, 10); and therefore "we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose" (Rom. 8:28); and also that "we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth" (2 Cor. 13:8); because "through death [which has come only as a consequence of sin] he [Christ] might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil" (Heb. 2:13). "The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death." 1 Cor. 15:26. Then comes complete victory to the universe, for "death is swallowed up in victory." Verse 54. Then "there shall be no more death" (Rev. 21:4), because no more sin; for "the wages of sin is death" (Rom. 6:23). Thus the perfect harmony following the discord is reached, in which "every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them," John hears saying, "Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever." Rev. 5:13. Any use of music which tends to or results in evil, as is often the case, is simply a perversion of the good which God designed in it. It is possible to turn any or all blessings into curses by not making a proper use of them, and the richer the blessing designed, the greater curse it becomes if perverted. Thus music often becomes more of a curse than a blessing; but its design and effects when rightly secured are good and good only.