THE KING’S BUSINESS
1074
good instrumental accompanying, whether by organ or piano or orchestra. In small schools an organ is most easily obtainable and is usually sufficient. A piano is always more effective and in larger schools is a requisite. An orchestra multiplies difficul ties and creates problems of its own that cannot be .touched upon at this time, but when properly organized and managed, it is a great help and a strong attraction, and in many of our large schools it has become a necessity. Aside from the musical skill and ability of the player, effective accompanying is a matter of co-operation with the director. An accompanist who begins at will and “goes her own gait” can cause more dam age in a Sunday-school than the traditional “bulL in a china shop.” It is common for an accompanist to sit with her back to the leader and begin to play as soon as a song is announced, giving out the entire song, or the chorus, or a part, as she chooses, while the leader stands helplessly waiting. The position of the instrument should be such that she can easily see the leader’s signals and his beat. It should be the leader who indicates the time for begin ning the prelude as well as the singing itself, and he who sets the tempo and marks the expression; and, only as the accom panist recognizes this responsibility of the leader, and willingly co-operates, can the best results be secured and disaster be avoided. A n A ppreciation R. Elmer Dover, writing from Fort Worth, Texas, under date of October 8, 1917, says: “We are very enthusiastic over Dr. Torrey’s lectures here, at the First Baptist Church, under Dr. J. Frank Norris, our pastor, who was so fortunate as to secure hjs wonderful services, which, I assure you, have never been equaled in this part'of the country.” ---------- O ----------
“Trust and Obey” and “Standing on the Promises” ; standard church hymns, like “Come Thou Almighty King,” “My Faith Looks Up to Thee,” and “Oh, Could I Speak.the Matchless Worth.” Books can be found that contain many of all these classes of songs and they are a priceless treasure. Their importance can be empha sized by calling for testimonials from any body of Christians as to blessings in the life arising from early impressions of the songs used in the Sunday school. In.the second place, there must be leader ship. With the best songs in the world the service may be lifeless and unprofitable. An automobile is useless without a motor or an engine without a governor. So a leader must interpret Sunday-school songs and make them glow by his knowledge and skill and enthusiasm. People anywhere are always ready to follow anyone who knows where he is going. But the objection is raised that no leader is available for a given school, let us say in a small town or country school. The proper person for the place may be diffi cult to locate, but rest assured that one can be found. Often, the choice may fall upon a lady, though such work is usually considered to be a “man’s job.” In some cases the best results are secured when the superintendent himself leads the singing, but this is exceptional. The experience and observation of the writer ranges from country ‘‘cross roads” to city conditions, but he can recall no instance where one or more workers with the qualities for song leadership was not to be found—often untrained—needing discovery and encour agement, but present, waiting to give pastor or superintendent the joy of “bringing out.” Send such a young person to a State Con vention ; see that he studies up on the rudi ments of conducting; get him in touch with some live and experienced leader of Sunday-school music, by personal contact or by correspondence. Then in the third place, there must be
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