Song a Part of Worship
279
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.—
Evangelism, 509
.
Charm of Congregational Singing—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 possessed by the singing of a choir, however skilled it may
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be.—
Evangelism, 509
.
God’s Kingdom More Than Mere Form—Form and ceremony
do not constitute the kingdom of God. Ceremonies become multitudi-
nous and extravagant as the vital principles of the kingdom of God are
lost. But it is not form and ceremony that Christ requires. He hungers
to receive from His vineyard fruit in holiness and unselfishness, deeds
of goodness, mercy, and truth.
Gorgeous apparel, fine singing, and instrumental music in the
church do not call forth the songs of the angel choir. In the sight
of God these things are like the branches of the unfruitful fig tree
which bore nothing but pretentious leaves. Christ looks for fruit, for
principles of goodness and sympathy and love. These are the principles
of heaven, and when they are revealed in the lives of human beings,
we may know that Christ is formed within, the hope of glory. A
congregation may be the poorest in the land, without music or outward
show, but if it possesses these principles, the members can sing, for
the joy of Christ is in their souls, and this they can offer as a sweet
oblation to God.—
Evangelism, 511, 512
.
Song Service Not a Concert---The presentation before me was
that if Elder _____ would heed the counsel of his brethren, and not
rush on in the way he does in making a great effort to secure large
congregations, he would have more influence for good, and his work
would have a more telling effect. He should cut off from his meetings
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