Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-04-02

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risn churches we have spite fences
for every one except FOR our poets and
hymuologists. Read over, If you will,
the biographies of the greatest Of our
gospel composers They belong to all
churches.
Charles Wesley may never have been
allowed to preach In Westminster nb,
hey, but his great hymn, Jesus, Lover
of My Soul" has been sung there n
thousand times. And Charles Wesley
was Methodist. Who was Ray Pal
mer, the author OF "NIy Faith Looks
Up TO Thee A Congregationalis
Who was Horatius Bonar, the author
Of Il Lay My Sins on Jesus?" A
Scotch Presbyterian. Who was James
Montgomery. the author of "IIail to
the Lords Anolnted|" He was the son
of Moravian preacher. Yet all these
singing evangelists, with their many
different sectarian creeds, have their
names and their hymns printed side
by side in every church hymnal. The
church of Bishop Heber may believe
in apostolic succession for the pulpit,
but It does not believe in apostolic
succession for the choir loft, FOR Hen
~ Newman the catholic and John and
Charles Wesley the Methodists and
Tioratius Bonar arc allowed TO sing
there even though they were not al
lowed to preach there Oh, why do
we not extend the hand Of gospel fell
loUship TO all the members of the DIFF
farent churches as we extend the hand
of Christian love 70 MI the sweet sing
ers who bring 20 rs their gospel songs?
May God give to rs n nonscctarinn
pulpit and pew as he has given to rs
Il nonsectarlan hymn book.
/ No Ordination For Hymn Writer'S.
/ But God honors sacred music for still
another reason. The divine hnrmonies
Of sound place the hand of holy ordina-
lion upon all those who are willing to
lift up their voices in his praise. In
order to become Il minister one has to
spend years In study. Then presby-
terry puts him through the most rigid
examinations 80 determine whether be
is 81 to preach. Some Of my minis
teria brethren may he in doubt about
letting him pass at that time; but
though some prcsbyteries may make
mistakes +. allowing n candidate to en-
ter the pulpit when not properly pre-
pared. no such barriers can keep the
true gospel evangelist from singing the
praises Of God. Ira u. Sankey not only
led thousands into the kingdom by his
tuneful voice, but he sent host Of
singing evangelists TO win other multi
tudes for the cross. In other words
as the good Ananias was commanded
TO omen the blinded eyes of Saul in Da-
mascus, this modern Asnph has been
ordained to loosen the dumb tongues of
men who could have had no part in
win, N souls except by sacred song
The Most Powerful Music.
And here let me state something
which has been on my mind for some
time in order to preach the gospel
by song man does not have to he n
master of classical music. All that he
needs to have is 4 pure heart, clean
lips and an ordinary sweet. true voice.
and when he sings the plain, simple
gospel songs from the heart God will
bless his singing even as he blesses
the simple prayers that come from a
devout heart. Mr. Beccher well formu-
lated this, thought when he protested
in the following words against the
nharisaism of sacred song: Music is
not simply vehicle for carrying Il
hymn. 1t is something in itself No
tune is fit to he sung to a hymn which
would not be pleasant il itself without
words. In selecting music we should
not allow any fastdiousness in taste
to set aside the lessons Of experience.
\ tune which has always interested Il
ongrcgation-vh inspires the young
and lends to enthusiasm fit express
slon--ought not 10 he set aside because
it does not conform to the rclgnins
fashion and follow The whimS of tech
meal science. There IS such n thing rs
pharisaiSm in music. Tunes may he
very faulty in structure and yet con
vcy n full hearted current that will
sweep ont Of the way the worthless.
heartless trash which has no merit
except literal correctness. And when
upon trial Il tune Is found TO do good
work it should he used for what it
docs and can do. Congregational sing
ing will never hecome general and per-
M0ncnt until the churches employ
tunes which have melodies that Gins
20 the memory and touch the feelings
or the ima rination" What did Mr.
scecher mean by all this? | will tell
you.
\ gospel hymn is Il sermon. 4 Cos
pei hymn is Il prayer. When you lis
ten to a testimony in a prayer meeting
YOU do not listen to oratory. You lis
ten to Il man pleading for Christ
When you llstcn to Il gospel hymn. you
listen to Il disciple Of Christ pleading
for the Master IN tie same way, and
though Your voice may not be musical
~ trained yet when you sing God,
praises in a simple gospel song Goo
vii! bless you Aa he does when yor
arise 20 testify for him in a meeting OF
prayer,
The consideration OF this subject sug
Fcsts 70 me three practical lessons
First. ! want to Impress upon all chris
tian people that the church which does
not put great emphasis upon its mu
sic is making fearful mistake
"Why 90 yOu give ont so many hymn:
} in your prayer meetings and churcl
seryicesf" a friend said to me som,
tiu,n % "RopauSo | cannot gi va OH