Evening star., 1914-07-11

When this is recognized. how grand and
glorious Is the gospel ministry OF music!
x
The Evangels Of Song.
In the evangelistic work of Moody and
Sankey. who can measure the value Of
the ministry of the word as against the
ministry Of song?
Both had melody in the heart-both
had melody in the voice-the one to
speak. the other to sing. What glorious
ministry Of gospel music in both these
lives.
The Christian ministry OF music Is in
the song that the life and voice both
sing. So it was with Maj. Whittle and
P. P. Bliss. The one preached the gos.
pei, the other sang 1t.
Who can tell which was the greater
ministry?
singer of the ages I heard him many
times. and the memory of his rendition
Of Ninety and Nine" will never be eff
faced. He sang 1t differently from
Sankey or any other one. There was a
sweetness and pathos in the exquisite
tones Of his voice that thrilled all hearts.
His perfect voice with his Christian
graces Of heart made all his songs SER
mons of power and gracious influence.
In the midst of his usefulness he per-
ished in the Ashtabula disaster, where SO
many were carried by the falling bridge
into eternity. His glorious voice silenced
to the ears of men, but now and forever
ringing in clearer. sweeter tones in the
angelic choirs. where song and praise are
rendered in the perfection of beauty and
holiness.
Consecrated Singers.
Tho sweet singers of Israel are not
ordained as ministers by the laying on Of
ecclesiastical hands. but they are Or
dained Of God for tho glorious ministry
Of music In bringing solace. JOY and high
aspiration to the hearts of men
Because We cannot sing like Sankey or
Bliss or others that might be named Of
kindred talent is no reason that we
should refuse to sing In the sanctuary Of
God. That sanctuary Is not alone in the
house of worship. but in hearts of be-
levers. The love of God makes melody
in the heart and that will find suitable
and acceptable expression in the congre-
CATION of praise.
1t Is the duty of Christians to sing
Gods praises and that involves the duty
Of cultivating the voice and powers Of
musical expression so as to heartily and
feeltngly Join in the psalms and hymns
and spiritual songs of the sanctuary.
Prayer Song.
Let those refuse to sing who never
knew the Lord" but those who know
| Him are living song Of joy and glad
ness. The Christian heart Is ever pray
| ing:
| Come thou fount Of every blessing,
| Tune my heart to sing Thy grace
streams Of mercy. never ceasing
| Call for songs OF loudest praise"
His prayers are songs and in his pray
ers he sings:
| Teach me some melodious sonnet.
| sung by flaming tongues above;
| Praise the mount I'm fixed upon It.
Mount Of Gods unchanging love!'
The divine ministry of music Is never
denied to the praying heart.
| + +
Singing For and In the Church.
| Christian Endeavor societies have great
opportunities and privileges in the sweet
and helpful ministry of song. The sing
ing Of the young is ever attractive and
appealing. The children's days In the
churches are always bright and inspiring
occasions. What Is sweeter than the
voices of innocent childhood, singing the
sacred songs Of Zion?
| The young peoples societies nave q
holy and exalted mission In carving the
uplifting ministry of song to those In