Sacred Music by Clemen Hamer

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 23, 1913

Sacred Music

By Clemen Hamer

THE gift of music is one of God's choicest gifts to man, and when consecrated to his service, its power for good and field of influence are limitless. The fact that music has been dragged in the dust and has become a snare instead of a help to many should not in any way blind our eyes to its true worth, for has not Satan sought to pervert every good gift of God to further his own evil work?

Too often one who has ability either to sing or to play will neglect the cultivation of this talent, feeling that other things are so much more important and useful in the work of the Master. What a sad mistake, and how bitterly we may regret it some day when the Lord requires at our hand the talent we have buried.

The power of song in great revival efforts is coming to be universally recognized. Many times the preacher of the gospel has told the story of salvation, and has labored, and prayed, and pleaded with men to give themselves to God; but the word has seemed to fall on hearts of stone. There is no response, and the effort seems to be in vain. But wait. The singer steps forward, and with a voice dedicated to the service of the Master, sings the simple story of Jesus and his love. As the message of salvation, set to beautiful melody, falls upon the listeners' ears, the stony ground of their hearts is broken up and made tender, and the good seed sown by the preacher springs up unto everlasting life. Would the result have been the same without the singer?

To many a heart bowed down with grief, to many a body suffering under a weight of affliction too heavy to be borne, to many a mind strained to the breaking-point, the song comes with its message of love, pointing to the time when sickness and sorrow and dying shall be over. It is an unspeakable blessing to be a channel through which the Comforter can bring peace to men's hearts.

Perhaps you do not have ability to sing but are able to play. Your field of usefulness is just as wide. The success of the song depends largely on the ability of the player. Many a song has lost its effect because of the failure of the player to enter into the spirit of the

singer and of the song. We should study to make our playing such as will inspire those who sing to do so with their whole hearts to the praise of God.

There is great need in the service of God of consecrated musical talent. This we shall have if the right standard is held up before the youth in our homes. When this is done, music will become a means of binding the home together and of drawing us nearer to God, who gave us this great gift with which to praise him.

As we view musical ability from this standpoint, it becomes a sacred charge from God, to be consecrated to him for service, and developed to the extent which will make that service most acceptable in his sight.

Foreign Mission Seminary.