THE KING’S BUSINESS
598
the ministry of music
REV. J. H. JOWETT, D. D.
“And I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps . . and they sang' as it were a new song.”'. ND the harps were to be gracious ministers in aiding the V k transformation of human sighing into human song, and of ^ ^ earthly discord into heavenly harmony. And it is in that H exalted rank we place the organ in public worship. It isnot the ( servant of an idle hour. It is not the costly minister of merely jj aesthetic entertainment. It is not a mere side-show, occupying an I unconsecrated corner outside the holy place. The organ is one of U the gifts of grace, appointed to minister to them who are heirs of B salvation, and to woo them into the restful inspiration of the secret §j place of God. For all music, vocal and instrumental, is 'one of J God’s most exquisite and most delicate gifts to the children of men. B Music is more pervasive than poetry, it is more ethereal^ more H insinuating, and it can sound its" way into hidden chambers .of the ! life where the profoundest poetry could never reach. There are B moods of the soul when poetry is irrelevant and almost irritating, B and in these moods music brings the magic power which turns the ! iron gate upon its hinges, and floods the prison-house with light. B “Next to theology,” said Martin Luther, who was himself a pas- ( sionate lover of music, “next to theology, I give to music the highest B place of honor.” Next to theology, next to the very evangel of B grace, next to the Gospel itself, Martin Luther ranked music as a B holy means of human renewal and redemption. It is in that exalted sphere that I wish to regard the possibili- B ties of music in public worship, and in that lofty consideration the B organ becomes the companion-minister of the Gospel for purifying B and enlarging the souls of the family of God. “And the singers B sang, and the trumpeters sounded . . . and the king, and all B who were present with him, bowed themselves and worshipped.” B In The New Music Review.
l i v
Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker