SONG SERVICE, The, C. H. Cayce A few weeks ago we copied some articles on the subject of singing from the Messenger of Peace, written by Elder Walter Cash. We have been requested to write some on the subject, and feel a desire to offer just a few thoughts.
For a long time we have noticed that our people, in many places, were lacking in their singing. They have not had the training and practice which they should have. Where they had books with notes, and had the training and practice, the books contained much of the modern “jig” music, suited only for pastime, and not at all suitable for congregational singing, or the true worship of God. Many of the songs were not sound in sentiment.
In the Bible we are commanded to sing and to make melody in our hearts unto the Lord. We are also required to sing with the spirit and with the understanding also. It seems to us that in order to sing with the spirit one must sing the truth. We have thought, too, that it is just as much wrong to sing a false doctrine as it is to preach it.
If our singing is not good, and all out of time and harmony, it is not edifying to the hearers. In fact, it may often “grate on their nerves.” We have often heard singing when we wished they would stop— perhaps some of them would be about two lines—ahead of the others; perhaps some singing one stanza and some singing another; perhaps some singing too high, and some singing too low-we might say, a regular jargon. We cannot sing; the Lord has not seen fit to give us a voice for singing; but we do enjoy hearing good singing. Many times our heart has been comforted as we listened to the sweet music and the glorious sentiment proclaimed in song.
In the “Rudiments of Music” in the “Good Old Songs” we said: “Our great heavenly Father has graciously blessed most of us with the faculty of music, and has given us talents that we should improve in that sacred and heavenly science. Should we not be careful as to how we use them? They should be used in such a way as to glorify His name. All who have these talents given them should try to improve them and learn how to sing, and try to sing with the spirit and with the understanding, ‘making melody in your heart to the Lord.”’ This was our sentiment when that work was first published, in 1913, and it is our sentiment yet.
We like to see a whole congregation join in the singing. “All who have these talents given them should try to improve them.” In order to improve the talent for singing, one must sing. Taking a back seat and listening to others will not improve one’s talent. There is a song we have seen, and heard, called “The Model Church.” An old man had been to meeting and on his return home he told his wife he had found the model church that day. He went on to tell her of the good old songs which were sung, and how that the preacher said, “Let all the people sing.” Exclusive choir singing was not had that day, and the poor old soldier of the cross was made to rejoice. He tells how he joined his feeble, trembling voice in once more singing that melodious tune, “Coronation,” to those beautiful and soul-cheering words, “All hail the power of Jesus’ name.” Once more he sang as in his youthful days. He felt like some wrecked mariner who gets a glimpse of shore. He had another glimpse that day of the heavenly shore just beyond the dark and rolling stream of death, and his poor old heart was made glad, and he rejoiced once more in the blessed hope of immortality beyond.
We cannot, in the communion service, ask all the people to partake, or to join with us. The Lord’s table is in His kingdom, and one must come into that kingdom in order to have a right to partake of the emblems of His broken body and shed blood. Baptism is a prerequisite to the communion. Baptism is the ordinance which initiates one into the Lord’s organized kingdom on earth, and one must be in the kingdom in order to have a right to eat at the table which is in that kingdom. But baptism is not a prerequisite to singing.
We are glad to say that we have observed a great improvement in the singing in many places of recent years. We have tried to encourage churches to have schools taught and classes organized. We are sure they are a great help in the singing We trust many more places may do this. We are sure they will never regret it. There are teachers who are reasonable in their charges, and will make low prices for their services. They love the service of God, and love the good old songs which made glad the hearts of our mothers and fathers who have gone on to that better home, and have joined in the song of that celestial city, and whose happy spirits sing the glad notes of perfect redemption. Let us try to improve the talent the Lord has given us, and encourage all to do so that we can. The Primitive Baptist, Februaty 19, 1918.