Chapter 67—Wrong Use of the Voice in Music
Bedlam of Noise—The things you have described as taking place
in Indiana, the Lord has shown me would take place just before the
close of probation. Every uncouth thing will be demonstrated. There
will be shouting, with drums, music, and dancing.
The senses of rational beings will become so confused that they
cannot be trusted to make right decisions. And this is called the moving
of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit never reveals itself in such methods, in such a bed-
lam of noise. This is an invention of Satan to cover up his ingenious
methods for making of none effect the pure, sincere, elevating, en-
nobling, sanctifying truth for this time. Better never have the worship
of God blended with music than to use musical instruments to do the
work which last January was represented to me would be brought into
our camp meetings. The truth for this time needs nothing of this kind
in its work of converting souls. A bedlam of noise shocks the senses
and perverts that which if conducted aright might be a blessing. The
powers of satanic agencies blend with the din and noise, to have a
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carnival, and this is termed the Holy Spirit’s working....
No encouragement should be given to this kind of worship. The
same kind of influence came in after the passing of the time in 1844.
The same kind of representations were made. Men became excited, and
were worked by a power thought to be the power of God.—
Selected
Messages 2:36, 37
.
Satan’s Snare—The Holy Spirit has nothing to do with such a
confusion of noise and multitude of sounds as passed before me last
January. Satan works amid the din and confusion of such music, which,
properly conducted, would be a praise and glory to God. He makes its
effect like the poison sting of the serpent.
Those things which have been in the past will be in the future.
Satan will make music a snare by the way in which it is conducted.—
Selected Messages 2:37, 38
.
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