Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1906-08-10
Friends of Song

Cor 14-15. The apostle aec'aIes
that he will pray with the spirit
and the understanding, and will
sing with the spirit and the under
standing also. We find from the
above statement used by the lnspir-
ed writer, that As it is the command
of God that all should sing, that all
should make conscience OF learning
to sing. as it is a thing that cannot
be decently performed with out
learning. The apostle wishes to
impress upon the minds of the peo-
pie that it is necessary for then to
understand the theory OF mlisic, in
order to sing with the spirit and
the understanding.
Friends. do fou not know that
we can sing down II blessing from
heaven just as well asrfay it down?
And do you not krowt that we can
sing salvation into the hearts OF the
sinners, friends, just as well as
preach it in? Whv, certainly, Far
God SAYS that his word shall not
return void.
Now, friends, If this be true.
which We comscientionslv believe to
be. beyond he shadow OF a doubt,
then If Gods people sing his word
with the spirit and understanding,
will it not strike conviction to the
hearts of the nngoll,? Certainly it
will, fur God says that his word
shall not return void. am aware
IF the fact that singing and preach.
ing together make "A better success.
But preaching without singing is
always a drag. Now then, would
like to ask question right here.
Why is it that Gods people de-
mand decency in every other de-
partment of his worship and do not
in this? If we all understand mus.
ic we can all look at the same mus
lc and sing to gether without any
trouble. But If we all have ways
of singing Of our own and they all
differ, we cannot possibly sing to-
gether. 1t just creates babble OF
confusion and embarrasses the min
ister, so that he cannot possibly de-
liver good sermon. Ministers all
tell us where there is good music
they lave always found it an easy
matter to preach, but on the other
hand when instead tits almost an
,impossibility TO preach, and the
minister that has all the preaching,
praying and singing to do, can get
my sympathy,for it is no easy mat.
ter.
But at the same time, @ast say
that most preachers are''to blame
for not having better singing
in their congregations from the
simple fact that they never enconr.
age people along these lines, but
are inclined to make full proof OF
their minlstery. Preachers have
good voices, | mean strong, but
they need cultivating just as much
so MS other folks. | have known
good choirs to start song and the
minister with his superior Voice and
inferior knowledge of music to Ian
in and completely bumfuzzle the
whole choir. Now, friends, | de
not mean to do any dlscredit to ON
good gospel ministers, for thew de.
serve great credit. but probably
they have never thought on tliis
great and oil important subject
Now, if people will have organs IL
their churches, and all churches
should lie furnished with II good
organ, for an organ is a. guide 20
the singers and stay to their yoic.
Is. But am opposed to place an
organ in some secluded. yc"rner 81
the church and depending Oh i
with a few singers around it for the
music. but the organ shout b.
placed as nearly ii, the center OF
the churct, as possible,aild the con
gregation furnished with good
note books, and then if YOU have Z
choir, let it and the ergan lead the
congregation, and sihe music vii
be grand success. Otherwise, i
oannnt possibly be. Now, friends
] am not throwing off on the min
listers, butt do think that the,
should pay more attention to thi'
part of the worship, for it means
something to Gods people. Sing
n