The Music Personnel
Those Whose Hearts Are in the Effort—In their efforts to reach
the people, the Lord’s messengers are not to follow the ways of the
world. In the meetings that are held, they are not to depend on worldly
singers and theatrical display to awaken an interest. How can those
who have no interest in the Word of God, who have never read His
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Word with a sincere desire to understand its truths, be expected to
sing with the spirit and the understanding? How can their hearts be
in harmony with the words of sacred song? How can the heavenly
choir join in music that is only a form?—
Testimonies For The Church
9:143
(1909).
Only Sweet, Simple Singing—How can God be glorified when
you depend for your singing on a worldly choir that sings for money?
My brother, when you see these things in a right light, you will have
in your meetings only sweet, simple singing, and you will ask the
whole congregation to join in the song. What if among those present
there are some whose voices are not so musical as the voices of others.
When the singing is such that angels can unite with the singers, an
impression is made on minds that singing from unsanctified lips cannot
make.—
Letter 190, 1902
.
Worldly Musicians—Do not hire worldly musicians if this can
possibly be avoided. Gather together singers who will sing with the
spirit and with the understanding also. The extra display which you
sometimes make entails unnecessary expense, which the brethren
should not be asked to meet; and you will find that after a time un-
believers will not be willing to give money to meet these expenses.—
Letter 51, 1902
.
Accepting Musical Help Offered—In the meetings held the
singing should not be neglected. God can be glorified by this part
of the service. And when singers offer their services, they should be
accepted. But money should not be used to hire singers. Often the
singing of simple hymns by the congregation has a charm that is not
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