Music In The Church

Music In The Church MUSIC IN THE CHURCH
By E. M. BORDEN For many years this question seemed to have been settled, but in the last few years it has revived, and a greater interest is manifested, There is no question as to its being one of the living issues of the day. It concerns every member of the great body of Christ. I have been invited to give you our reasons for not using Instrumental Music in our worship. We believe we have good reasons for not using it, and it is my purpose to give you those reasons now. When I was a boy I remember hearing a debate in which both sides claimed that the Bible is silent on the question. I thought it was myself until a closer investi-gation caused me to see that the Bible’ is not silent on the great question. The Lord not only authorizes music in the church, but he tells us the kind of music we should have. The Lord has not left it with us to select the kind of music we should have. The Bible is not silent on this music question, as some people think.

I fear that some of us have been inconsistent in condemning the use of instrumental music in the worship^ for the reason that we did other things just as inconsistent. Before we condemn the use of instrumental music, we should be able to give a reason why. Why do we sing and not play ? Is it for the reason that instrumental music is not the kind the Lord has commended? That is my contention.

Once while I was holding a meeting in a country village, a lady jumped up and began to shout. At first I thought she was happy, but I soon found out that she was mad. She, was mad because her brother had made the good confession. When she began to shout, Brother Slaton announced a number and began to sing. The lady shouted and the brethren continued their song. We could not hear what was said. It was just a noise, and it could not be called a joyful noise. Instrumental music could have served the purpose just as well, for it was not the Lord’s kind of music. On another occasion, after I had preached a sermon with an appeal to sinner and called for an invitation song, the brethren sung: The home where changes never come
Nor pain nor sorrow, toil nor care,
Yes tis a bright and blessed home,
Who would not fain be resting there?
0 wait, meekly wait and murmur not
0 wait, 0 wait, 0 wait and murmur not. Did the brethren really mean to sing that song? Did the brethren expect the sinners to wait? Did the preach-er want the sinners to wait? If he did not, why did they sing that song? Did they notice the sentiment of the song, or did they sing to drown the silence? If it was just the tune or the noise, why object to instrumental music? If we do not get the sentiment of the song, why oppose instrumental music? On another occasion, while I was a young preacher, the brethren gave us “God be' with you till we meet again” as an opening song. It was somewhat embarrassing, for I did not think they intended for me to go, for I had just arrived. The song is a good one but it was out of place at that time. They certainly did not get the sentiment of the song. Instrumental music would have done just as well.

One brother who was very much opposed to instrumental music in the worship, said: “Brethren,let us sing the notes to this song.” What was this save the tune? There was no sentiment in the tune without the words. Instrumental music could have served the purpose just as well. If the tune is all we get there can be no fight against instrumental music. With our contention, we should take a great interest in learning how to sing, so as to bring out the sentiment of the song. In order tc* be consistent, we should patronize our singing teachers more than we do. The tune is to help bring out the sentiment of the song. The most embarrassing thing that has come before me, is to condemn the use of instrumental music as a help and then pitch the tune so hight that the highest singer cannot reach it, and then in trying to lower it get the tune so low that the bass singers cannot sing the highest part of it. The old members will shudder, the younger members will laugh and others will hide their faces in shame. We are not consistent if we condemn instrumental music and then do not try to learn to sing. Let us be consistent.

If I should be governed by my likes and dislikes, I would want instrumental music. I like it. I can remem-ber when I was a boy, how hard it was for me to stay at home when the circus band began to play. The reason I do not want it in the church, is because it cannot furnish the kind of music the Lord wants in the Christian dispensation. The music question is not on a par with incidentals) such as church houses, lights, seats, black hoard, bap-tistries and things of the kind. The Bible commands baptism, but it does not say where it is to be done. The place to baptize is left with us, just so we have enough water to comply with the demand. The music question is not that way, for the Lord has told us the kind of music we should have, and instrumental music cannot satisfy the Lord’s demand. The question is, "Music in the Church of Christ?" That confines it to the Christian dispensation. The law came by Moses but grace and truth came by Christ. Paul says we are not under the law but under grace. Paul tells us that we are saved by grace and not by the law of Moses. It does not matter to me what kind of music was under the law. I will not even take time to discuss it. The question is, is there a place for it in the church of Christ and under the new covenant? The Jews kept the Sabbath day, but we are not commanded to keep it. There were other things under the law that do not apply to us at this time.

While Jesus was here he told his apostles that after he went away he would send the Comforter who would guide them into all truth. All truth would embrace the instruction concerning the use of music in the church. Thet Spirit has given us the kind of music we should have. The New Testament, is not silent on the question. If the New Testament tells us the kind of music we should have, that will eliminate all other kinds.

Paul was guided by the Spirit the same as the other apostles so we will let him testify a great deal on this question. In Acts 20:20, Paul says: “And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, hut have showed you and have taught you publicly and from house to house.’’ If Paul kept back nothing that was profitable he has certainly taught us the things we should know on this great question. Again he said: “I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.” If, in the great counsel of God, music is commanded, Paul certainly taught it. In his writings we will find the kind of music we should have in the worship.

Now there are some things in which we are allowed lib-erty. There is no express command as to how we shall contribute. We may pass a basket, walk up and put it op the table, or hand it to the treasurer. The Lord has not told us that we shall worship in a certain kind of a house. That part is left with us. There are many other , things of this kind in which we are allowed liberty. But when selecting, here is a rule by which we should be governed.

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue and if there be any praise, think on these things. This is a rule that the Lord expects us to observe. But the music question is not included in this, for the Lord has told us the kind of music we should have. Therefore it will come under the instruction in the next verse. “Those things which ye have both learned and received and heard and seen of men, do, and the God of peace shall be with you.” Here is where the music question comes in. He has taught us the kind of music we should have and that settles it.

We understand that the church of Christ began on the day of Pentecost. Beginning that day, the early disci-ples continued steadfastly “In the apostles’ doctrine, and in fellowship, and in breaking bread and prayers. ” All of the worship, every item is embraced in the four things mentioned. Now the question is, where does the music come in? It is easy to see that. The music comes in with the apostles’ doctrine and also in the prayer service Our songs should embrace the same gospel truths that the Sermon contains. In fact, every song should be a sermon within itself. In that way we can sing the apostles ’ doctrine. The only difference, in the singer and the preacher is the tune. The preacher has his tune and the singer has his tune, but the message should be the same •—the gospel of Christ.

Here is a wonderful appeal in song. The tune is the least thing about it. The apostles’ doctrine is told by the words and not by the music. Could the tune alone have told the same story?

Some of the best prayers I have ever heard were sung. They were the same as other prayers, only the tune was different. Once while in a park in Riverside, California, I noticed some ladies getting ready to eat their picnic dinner. When they had made ready and were seated, they sung their thanksgiving. That was the same as the other except that the tune was different. The tune alone would have been worthless, for it could not have spoken the words.

Now we come to Paul’s instruction as to the kind of ^nusic we should have in the worship. Read Hebrews 13:15 :
‘‘By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is the fruit of our lips, giving; thanks to his’ name.” This shows that the praise we offer in the new covenant should be the fruit of the lips. This kind of music cannot be furnished by mechanical instruments. Whatever might have been the plan of praise in the past, the plan in the Christian dispensation is that which is the fruit of the lips.

Now let me read another passage from Paul (Ephesians 5:19): ‘‘Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your hearts to the Lord; giving thank always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Notice. The Lord’s music is speaking. ‘‘Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs.” Whatever it means by psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, it is to be done by speaking. That embraces sing-ing and cuts out instrumental music. This is also the fruit of the lips. The fact that psalms is from Psalinos does not change it, for whatever it is, it is to be sung. It is the fruit of the lips and is done by singing. But here is another passage: (Colossians 3:16): “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”

Here it is again. The Lord’s music is to teach and admonish. Teaching is to be done by tne trult of the lips. Can instrumental music teach, admonish, speak? Certainly it cannot. In singing we have speaking, teach-ing, admonishing, praising, thanksgiving, fruit of the lips, but instrumental music can only furnish the tune. In singing we have the tune and all the other essentials to make it the Lord’s music. We are to sing hymns, sing psalms, sing spiritual songs. Singing is the Lord’s kind of music.

But, is there a place for instrumental music? Yes, Paul makes that matter very clear. We have now.found ' the Lord’s kind of music and we will now find the place for instrumental music. I want to read several verses from 1 Corinthians 14, beginning with the 5th verse:
“I would that ye. all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied; for greater rs he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except, that the church may be edified.” The same is true with the music. There can be no edification unless the language of the song is understood. None can be edified if the lan-guage is not understood.

Now let us read the 7th verse: “And even things without life gieing sound.” Here is instrumental music. It is without life, yet it gives sound. But let me read on: “Whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction of sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped? For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself for battle.”

Paul’s illustration is a good one. He shows the real place for instrumental music. It gives sounds and even a distinction of sounds, but it does not teach, edify, ad-monish and praise by the fruit of the lips. The soldier answers the call of the bugle, but not one lesson does it teach him. We hear the tolling of the bell and we say there is a funeral. We hear the church bell. It is time to go to church. The bell performs its part and then
remains silent until the service is over. The bell cannot teach one lesson. Even the distinction of sounds can be duplicated and confusion can be caused.

I once heard of a man who called his hogs by knock-ing on a log with a piece of wood. One day when he went to see how his hogs were getting along, he found them in confusion. They were running this way and that way, squealing as they went. He wondered what was’ the matter with them. But soon he heard the sound that caused the confusion. It was a woodpecker pecking away on a dead tree and the hogs were trying to locate the sound and go to it. The tune or the distinction of sounds cannot teach one lesson. As I have said before, I like instrumental music. It is very entertaining, but when that is said all is said. If entertainment was a part of the service, that would let instrumental music in. I am not condemning instru-mental music in its place. I like to hear the beautiful tunes and they are not sinful. Instrumental music is beautiful to the ear as the flowers are beautiful to the eye, but the flowers, even so beautiful, cannot reveal a truth except that nature is wonderful. Many times 1 have feasted on the soothings furnished by instrumental music but not one truth could it reveal to me. The old abused tuning fork, if it could be called a musical instrument, gives the first musical tone, then remains silent while the song is being sung. But the talented singer does not use the tuning fork.

“So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.”

Now we have the comparison. To speak in tongues not understood by the audience, is like music that does not teach and admonish. When we have music without words, we send a noise into the air and no one is bene-fited. Even if we sing in another tongue, no one is edified.

Then, in order to teach, admonish, edify and praise by the fruit of the lips, we must speak words that people can understand, and if it is in the music department, it must he done by singing. That is the Lord’s kind of music. Then the Lord’s music is “Speaking to yourselves in psalrns and hymns and spiritual songs.”
But let me read again: “There are many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification. Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice; I shall he unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me. Eve'n so ye, for as much as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.” This shows that a sound without a sentiment does not edify. A sound may be beautiful and it may blend in with other sounds to add to its beauty, but if there is no meaning or understanding to the voice, it fails to be the Lord’s kind of music. How can instrumental music excel to the edification of the church? But now we come to the climax of Paul’s lesson in the 14th chapter of 1 Corinthians. Now we read verse 15 :“What is it then? I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the understanding also. I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.” This shows that it is necessary that the Lord’s music shall be to sing with the spirit and the understanding. I must sing and pray in language that can be understood.

“How shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say amen at the giving of thanks, seeing that he understandeth not what thou sayest?” The case is made out. The Lord’s music is a spoken music. It is the fruit of the lips. It edicts, teaches and admonishes. It must be spoken in words that can be understood. Instrumental music cannot furnish it, for it can only give the tune, but the Lord’s music is to sing. The tune of the Lord’s music is the least thing about it. It is the sentiment of the song that makes it worship. Every song, if it is true, has a place according to the truth it reveals. At a meeting I was holding in Texas, there were two ladies who had not spoken to each other for some time We tried to reach them through the sermons and the songs, and one day our efforts were fruitful. A group of singers stood singing and these two ladies came together and after embracing each other and sobbing confessed their faults one to another. It was a happy moment. All eyes were turned in that direction, and while we were all rejoicing, a lady started that old familiar song:

"Blest be the tie that binds Our hearts in Christian love
The fellowship of kindred minds Is like to that above." No song could have filled the place better. It was the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love that caused these ladies to forgive and forget. No musical instru-ment, even so beautiful the tune, could have told the story as did the words of this song. To the believer in Christ, the words of the Lord have a warm place in his heart. On one occasion when the great multitude had gone away and the Lord and his apostles were alone, Jesus said: “Wilt thou also go
away?” The answer was this: “Lord, to whom shall we go, for thou hast the words of eternal life.” We love these words. When that mother in spiritual Israel come near to the end of her life here, there is nothing that satisfies her like the words of God. Those words upon which her faith rests,

“Sing them over again to me Wonderful words of life
Let me more of their beauty see Wonderful words of life
Words of life and beauty Teach me faith and duty
Beautiful words, wonderful words Wonderful words of life
Beautiful words, wonderful words Wonderful words of life.

O these beautiful words. Think of their great sentiment. It is the sentiment of the song—the story that it tells that makes it so wonderful. Instrumental music cannot tell the wonderful story. Words alone can ex-press it, but the tune impresses it. But possibly some one is ready to say that the tune tells the story. Did we not read in 1 Cor 14 that the tune cannot tell the story? In a distinction of sounds there, is deception. I want the brethren to give us some instrumental music at this time.

(The class will hum the tune to Old Black Joe.)
What is that? Old Black Joe, did you say? Well, that is true, but we will hear it again with the words.
Then the words will be sung to the religious song “I love him.”
There are songs for all occasions. They are suitable for the place they fill. As we near the river of death, or on,a funeral occasion, there is no sing that fills the place like the old familiar song:
(One verse of Nearer, My God, To Thee.) But some one wishes to know if I like quartet, solos and other specials. I certainly do, if they are sung to edify and not just to entertain. A good quartet helps to bring out the sentiment of the song and often brings conviction to the hearts of many of the hearers. A good solo is very instructive and edifying. Let it express a truth in words that can be understood. I once heard a solo that I did not appreciate. I understood the first part of it, but as she continued she ascended until she had reached such heights that she could not articulate Finally she had reached the highest note with the voice all in a quiver, and then she began to descend. Finally she came down to where I could understand her. I heard and understood the first part of it and when she came down, I understod the latter part of her solo, but what she said while up in the air so high I could not tell.

Then, the Lord’s music is to sing and its purpose is to edify, sing praise, teach, admonish, pray and give thanks. When our music fails to do any of these it is not the Lord’s kind of music. While instrumental music is fine and»its tunes are beautiful, but give me the tune and the words that express to me the sentiment of a wonderful truth.