272
The Voice in Speech and Song
It is with music and songs of victory that the redeemed shall finally
enter upon the immortal reward.
There is something peculiarly sacred in the human voice. Its
harmony and its subdued and heaven-inspired pathos exceeds every
musical instrument. Vocal music is one of God’s gifts to men, an in-
strument that cannot be surpassed or equaled when God’s love abounds
in the soul. Singing with the spirit and the understanding also is a
great addition to devotional services in the house of God.
How this gift has been debased! When sanctified and refined it
would accomplish great good in breaking down the barriers of preju-
dice and hardhearted unbelief, and would be the means of converting
souls. It is not enough to understand the rudiments of singing, but with
the understanding, with the knowledge, must be such a connection
with heaven that angels can sing through us.
Your voice has been heard in church so loud, so harsh, accompa-
nied or set off with your gesticulations not the most graceful, that the
softer and more silvery strains, more like angel music, could not be
heard. You have sung more to men than to God.
As your voice had been elevated in loud strains above all the
congregation, you have been thoughtful of the admiration you were
exciting. You have really had such high ideas of your singing, that
you have had some thoughts that you should be remunerated for the
exercise of this gift.—
Manuscript 5, 1874
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[426]
Tendency Toward Extremes—Singing should not be allowed to
divert the mind from the hours of devotion. If one must be neglected,
let it be the singing. It is one of the great temptations of the present
age to carry the practice of music to extremes, to make a great deal
more of music than of prayer. Many souls have been ruined here.
When the Spirit of God is arousing the conscience and convicting
of sin, Satan suggests a singing exercise or a singing school, which,
being conducted in a light and trifling manner, results in banishing
seriousness, and quenching all desire for the Spirit of God. Thus the
door of the heart, which was about to be opened to Jesus, is closed and
barricaded with pride and stubbornness, in many cases never again to
be opened.
By the temptations attending these singing exercises, many who
were once really converted to the truth have been led to separate them-
selves from God. They have chosen singing before prayer, attending