Northwestern Bible School - Scroll Yearbook (Minneapolis, MN)

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of hvi$t$ God be extolled both in the sanctuary and in the firmament of His power. Let all bread praise the Lord.” The Purposes of Music arc unlimited, I am not concerned with music as it relates itself to mere mirth; as it is used between salacious theatre scenes; as it attends the rhythmic movements of the modern dance, or as it entertains social circles. With these forms of music the pastor has little contact and in most cases small interest. But music as it relates itself to the Christian religion moves to very definite objectives. First of all, IT SHOULD VOICE THE PRAISES OF A GRACIOUS GOD. 1 bis was its particular employment in the Old Testament times by Israel, as the entire Booh ol the Psalms attests. Haydn, who contributed to the climax of Christian sentiment in both rote and word, said, “A religion without thanksgiving, praise and joy is like a flower without perfume, tint or nectar There may be such a flower, but surely no one would care to pluck it. Being once asked why his church music was so cheerful, Haydn replied, I cannot make it otherwise. When I think of God, my heart is so full of joy that the notes dance and leap!” It is my candid opinion that the spirit that incites to praise and thanksgiving is the very one that will solve practically all the problems of life itself. The singing man is never .1 soured man, neither a cynical man; and the man whose lips are filled with praises never burdens them with complaints. ALL FORMS OF WORSHIP, HOWEVER, MAY BE VOICED BY MUSIC Prayer as well as petition; sorrow, suffering, bereavement as well as joy, gladness and rejoicing. Someone has said, “Music has a unique relation to our emotional natures. It expresses feeling, yea, life itself!” That is why it has a place and is often indulged in when one is solitary—alone. That is why it is engaged in when the family circle assembles around the parlor piano. That is why it swells into anthem proportions when the people gather in the House of God, I hat is why it is conceivable that the great hours in heaven and of eternity will be characterized by the song of all saints and of all angels. It is the one way to voice worship. Hot the only way, but the most natural way, and a Divinely approved way. IT MAY BE EMPLOYED IN SOUL-APPEAL. Thousands have been won to Christ through Gospel songs. Full well do I remember the night in Chicago when the officials of my church, having spent till two o’clock in the morning of the night previous, rose from their knees and shaking hands, said one to another, “She will be saved tomorrow night 1 .” For all that time we had spent in pleading with God for the soul-salvation of a young woman who was engaged to be married to one of the most efficient officers we had in Calvary Church, When the night had arrived I preached the tenderest sermon of which I was capable. She listened through it all, and that most earnestly, and with evident conviction. In the after- meeting T extended my pleadings to an unusual length, but she moved not. Finallv, almost in despair, I turned to F. FI. Jacobs, one of the greatest singers that American history has known, and I said, “Beloved, sing! He stood up and with his match¬ less voice and pleading tones he rendered “Almost Persuaded.” The notes of that number rang to every corner of the room, till finally he reached the last - “Almost persuaded,” harvest is past! “Almost persuaded,” doom comes at last! “Almost” can not avail; “almost” is but to fail! Sad, sad that bitter wail, “Almost,” but lost! She arose before the sound of his voice was stilled, and fairly rushing forward, she flung herself into the front scat and said, “I resisted the sermon; but I cannot resist the song! Ptifte Nineteen

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