The sanctifying ministry of music.
"Upon the harp with a solemn sound." There seem to have been trumpet blasts connected with the worship of Jehovah from the time of its orderly arrangement by Moses. But what may be called distinguishing music, the accompaniment of intelligent song, seems to have been introduced by David. The association of music and song with worship changed public worship from a ceremony to a service, from something done for men to something done by men. It made public worshipping personally pleasant to the worshipper; glorified duty; kindled and exercised holy emotion. It seems a strange thing that objection should ever have been made to the introduction of instrumental music into Divine worship. On the principle of consecrating the use of all gifts and talents to the Divine service, the gifts of varied music should have been taken over and sanctified. And the lutes, and psalteries, and harps, and cymbals, of the older time, do but represent the cornets and violins and organs of this newer time. Not only artistically, but also devotionally, music is a most valuable background to song, and it may be fairly urged that the most beautiful, the most perfect, the most varied music the world can produce should be associated with the sanctuaries of the Most High.
I. Music ministers to our sanctifying by its RESTFULNESS. Nothing in the world is so soothing to us. David's power on the half-mad king Saul is but a type of the influence of music that we feel. How often nothing will quiet the tossing, restless sufferer, until some one croons a holy song! Who does not feel the cathedral song steal into his very soul, hushing down every passion, and breathing peace? And surely, tempest tossed every week, we need sabbath music.
II. Music ministers to our sanctifying by its RELATION TO OUR EMOTIONS. Illustrate by the march of a regiment to its music. The instant effect produced by dance music. The influence of tunes in the minor key, etc. Then our sensitiveness makes music, well chosen and well rendered, an actual, moral, and religious force. Music may be a means of grace.
III. Music ministers to our sanctifying by its WINSOMENESS. See the crowds attracted by Salvation Army bands; or by services of song. The power of music to win has not yet been fully realized by the Christian Church.—R.T.