Wrong Use of the Voice in Music
271
The very same may be said of singing. You assume undignified
attitudes. You put in all the power and volume of the voice you can.
You drown the finer strains and notes of voices more musical than
your own. This bodily exercise and the harsh, loud voice makes no
melody to those who hear on earth and those who listen in heaven. This
singing is defective and not acceptable to God as perfect, softened,
sweet strains of music. There are no such exhibitions among the
angels as I have sometimes seen in our meetings. Such harsh notes
and gesticulations are not exhibited among the angel choir. Their
singing does not grate upon the ear. It is soft and melodious and comes
without this great effort I have witnessed. It is not forced and strained,
requiring physical exercise.
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Brother S is not aware how many are amused and disgusted. Some
cannot repress thoughts not very sacred and feelings of levity to see the
unrefined motions made in the singing. Brother S exhibits himself. His
singing does not have an influence to subdue the heart and touch the
feelings. Many have attended the meetings and listened to the words
of truth spoken from the pulpit, which have convicted and solemnized
their minds; but many times the way the singing has been conducted
has not deepened the impression made. The demonstrations and bodily
contortions, the unpleasant appearance of the strained, forced effort
has appeared so out of place for the house of God, so comical, that
the serious impressions made upon the minds have been removed.
Those who believe the truth are not as highly thought of as before the
singing....
He [Brother S] has thought that singing was about the greatest
thing to be done in this world and that he had a very large and grand
way of doing it.
Your singing is far from pleasing to the angel choir. Imagine your-
self standing in the angel band elevating your shoulders, emphasizing
the words, motioning your body and putting in the full volume of your
voice. What kind of concert and harmony would there be with such an
exhibition before the angels?
Music is of heavenly origin. There is great power in music. It was
music from the angelic throng that thrilled the hearts of the shepherds
on Bethlehem’s plains and swept round the world. It is in music that
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our praises rise to Him who is the embodiment of purity and harmony.