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Pastoral Ministry
Instrumental
Call instrumental music to your aid—Music can be a great
power for good; yet we do not make the most of this branch of worship.
The singing is generally done from impulse or to meet special cases,
and at other times those who sing are left to blunder along, and the
music loses its proper effect upon the minds of those present. Music
should have beauty, pathos, and power. Let the voices be lifted in songs
of praise and devotion. Call to your aid, if practicable, instrumental
music, and let the glorious harmony ascend to God, an acceptable
offering.—
Evangelism, 505
.
The guitar can be used to provide instrumental music for wor-
ship—Here a plan quite common in Sweden, but new to us, was
adopted to supply the lack of an organ. A lady who occupied a room
adjoining the meeting-hall, and who had charge of the building, was a
skillful player on the guitar, and possessed a sweet, musical voice; at
public worship she was accustomed to supply the place of both choir
and instrument. At our request she played and sang at the opening
of our meetings.—
Historical Sketches of the Foreign Missions of the
Seventh-day Adventists, 195
.
Not for Display
Musical talent too often fosters pride and ambition for dis-
play—Musical entertainments which, if conducted properly, will do
no harm, are often a source of evil.... Musical talent too often fosters
pride and ambition for display, and singers have but little thought of
the worship of God.—
The Voice in Speech and Song, 422
.
Musical accomplishments as well as forms and ceremonies can
take the place of God in worship—When professing Christians reach
the high standard which it is their privilege to reach, the simplicity of
Christ will be maintained in all their worship. Forms and ceremonies
and musical accomplishments are not the strength of the church. Yet
these things have taken the place that God should have, even as they
did in the worship of the Jews.—
Evangelism, 512
.
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