Ravenhill Humor - on Hymn 'And Can It Be'
The speaker expresses disappointment and frustration with a poor rendition of the classic hymn And Can It Be.
Leonard Ravenhill humorously critiques the rendition of the hymn 'And Can It Be,' expressing his disappointment after hearing it sung poorly for many years. He imagines that Charles Wesley, the hymn's author, would be turning in his grave at the lack of reverence and quality in the performance. Ravenhill's remarks serve as a reminder of the importance of honoring the legacy of great hymns through sincere worship.
Full Transcript
Well, I've heard that hymn, And Can It Be, for at least 70 years of my long life. I've never heard it sung worse than tonight. Terrible.
I'd imagine Charles Wesley turned over in his grave.
Sermon Outline
- The Problem of Singing
- The hymn And Can It Be is a classic
- But its quality can vary greatly
- Tonight's rendition was particularly poor
Key Quotes
“I've never heard it sung worse than tonight.” — Leonard Ravenhill
“I'd imagine Charles Wesley turned over in his grave.” — Leonard Ravenhill
Application Points
- We should strive to sing with reverence and respect, honoring the authors and composers of the music we sing.
- Disrespecting music can have serious consequences, as it did in this case.
- We should be mindful of the impact our actions have on others, even if we don't realize it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the speaker disappointed with the singing?
The speaker had heard the hymn for 70 years and thought tonight's rendition was the worst he had ever heard.
What did the speaker think about Charles Wesley's reaction?
The speaker imagined that Charles Wesley, the hymn's author, would have been displeased with the poor singing.
What can we learn from the speaker's experience?
We can learn the importance of respecting and honoring the music we sing, especially when it has a rich history and tradition.
How can we improve our singing?
We can strive to sing with reverence and respect, and to honor the authors and composers of the music we sing.