Text: "And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him." -(I Samuel 16:23)

Martin Luther: "Music is the second most powerful force in the universe."

It has been said that music can calm the raging beast. It can.

It can comfort, or excite. It can bless, or it can seduce. Such knowledge was known to the ancient Greeks who in their legends spoke of the Sirens who would lure sail ors to their deaths on the rocks. The Spartans would advance to battle with the sound of the flute, but they would join battle with the sound of the trumpet.

Music affects people physically, mentally and spiritually. The

Holy Ghost records, "And it came to pass when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed (physically), and was well (mentally), and the evil spirit departed from him (spiritually)."

In Christian music, both the singer and the accompanist have the duty to first honor God-not to bring honor to themselves; and second, to benefit men. They have a message to deliver to men. Therefore, in Christian music, both the singer and the accompanist must be consumed with the necessity of getting the message across, and accomplishing this purpose. For this reason, their music must be preeminently reverent. It is a sign of apostasy in any age when Christian music is used for the purpose of entertainment. It is akin to the sin, of Belshazzar who took the vessels from the service of the Lord for his own use.

Christian music must never be used for entertainment. It is designed for the glory of God, and not for the entertainment of either the saints or sinners. Let them who sing the song of the drunkard (Ps. 69:12) sell tickets to their concerts, but all who sing the LORD’S song (Ps 137:4) should be ashamed to do such a thing.

Music is by its very nature both dichotomous and trichotomous. It can be divided into tones and lyrics; and it can be divided into rhythm, harmony and melody.

In order for music to be Christian music, both the musical tones as well as the lyrics have to be "converted," otherwise, it is not good music. For instance, let a man write the most doctrinally sound meter, yet place it with a sleazy sensual tune, and the product is bad music. The alternate is just as true: let a man play the most stately, reverent tune, and place it with meter that is doctrinally corrupt, and the result is bad music. In Christian music, both the musical tones as well as the lyrics must be converted.

Since God is the great I AM, THE ALMIGHTY, THE ANCIENT OF DAYS, THE CREATOR, and LORD OF ALL both in heaven and in earth, music that is truly Christian must be reverent. Therefore, music that appeals preeminently to the feet or to the hands is bad music. It is carnal, because it appeals to the flesh. It is worldly, because it is like other forms of music that appeal to the children of this world.

How do professing Christians even dare to take "Rock" music, which name is abbreviated from "Rock ’n Roll," and which was deliberately coined to suggest carnal things -and attempt to pass off their music as Christian? Surely, there is no fear of God before their eyes!

Music that emphasizes harmony may be beautiful to the ear, and be reverent both in its tones and lyrics, but music that is Christian must not draw attention chiefly to the singer or to the musician, but to the Lord. Otherwise, it is bad music. In Christian music, it is the message of a song-not the dynamics of the music that is of greater importance. Shakespeare wrote, "My words go up, but my thoughts remain below; and words without thoughts never to heaven go." (Hamlet) So it is with music.

Children’s music is no different. It should be designed first, to honor the Lord; second, to teach the children; and third, to benefit the congregation -but never to entertain them. In Christian music, there is NO place for entertainment.

The act of worship occurs when the people of God take the message of God, and offer it to God as their own praise or prayer. This requires concentration upon the meaning of what we utter in song or in prayer. It is sad, therefore, that in many churches the congregation is herded into singing the songs of Zion so rapidly that far from being able to meditate upon the meaning of that which they are singing, they have difficulty even to pronounce all the words. It is as though the purpose of congregational singing is simply to get it over with. The people of God ought to resent being manipulated.

 Manly, and Womanly Singing

The songs of Zion are not intended to impress people with the abilities and the talents of the singer or of the musician: they are designed for the honor of God, and the benefit of men. Therefore, no music is good music that is either sung or played in an effeminate manner. Christian men should honor the Lord with their manliness, and Christian women should honor the Lord with their womanliness.

It is sad, but true, that the choirs of the military academies, although most cadets, like other folks, are unregenerate, honor the Lord more by their manly voices than the frizzy-headed effeminate, Charismatic sissies. While the former sing manly, the latter sing sweetly.

So-called "Canned" pr [re-recorded music, along with the closing of the eyes so often mimicked by today’s performers is purely theatrical. As it draws attention to the performer, it is "bad" music, because it should honor Christ.

Is worship the time, or church the place to show our talent?

Is it the time to be theatrical when we sing the songs of Zion?

It is certain that no man should attempt to teach or to preach the Word of God who has not first prepared himself with prayer. Should anyone therefore attempt to sing or to "play with his hand" who has not sought the face of God in prayer?

David wrote, "And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD" (Ps. 40:3).

-by Charles Haddon Spurgeon

The party everywhere apparent has a faith fashioned for the present century --perhaps we ought rather to say, for the present month. The sixteenth century Gospel it derides, and that, indeed, of every period except the present most enlightened era. It will have no creed because it can have none; it is continually on the move; it is not what it was yesterday, and it will not be tomorrow, what it is today. Its shout is for "Liberty," its delight is invention, its element is change.

On the other hand, there still survive, amid the blaze of nineteenth century light, a few whom these superior persons call "Fossils"; that is to say, there are believers in the Lord Jesus Christ who consider that the true Gospel is no new gospel, but is the same yesterday, today, and forever. These do not believe in "Advanced views," but judge that the view of truth which saved a soul in the second century will save a soul now, and that a form of teaching which was unknown till the last few years is of very dubious value, and is, in all probability, "Another gospel, which is not another."

It is extremely difficult for these two parties to abide in union. The old fable of the collier who went home to dwell with the fuller is nothing to it. The fuller would by degrees know the habits of his coaly companion, and might thus save the white linen from his touch; but in this case there are no fixed quantities on the collier’s side, and nothing like permanency even in the black of his coal. How can a friend deal with him, since he changes with the moon?

If, after long balancing of words, the two parties could construct a basis of agreement, it would, in the nature of things, last only for a season, since the position of the advancing party would put the whole settlement out of order in a few weeks. The adjustment of difficulties would be a task forever beginning, and never coming to an end. If we agree, after a sort, today, a new settlement will be needed tomorrow. If I am to stay where I am, and you are to go traveling on, it is certain that we cannot long lodge in the same room. Why should we attempt it?

Nor is it merely doctrinal belief-there is an essential difference in spirit between the old believer and the man of new and advancing views. This is painfully perceived by the Christian man before very long. Even if he be fortunate enough to escape the sneers of the cultured, and the jests of the philosophical, he will find his deepest convictions questioned, and his brightest beliefs misrepresented by those who dub themselves "Thoughtful men."

When a text from the Word has been peculiarly precious to his heart, he will hear its authenticity impugned, the translation disputed, or its Gospel reference denied. He will not travel far on the dark continent of modern thought before he will find the efficacy of prayer debated, the operation of divine Providence questioned, and the special love of God denied. He will find himself to be a stranger in a strange land when he begins to speak of his experience, and of the ways of God to men. In all probability, if he be faithful to his old faith, he will be an alien to his mother’s children, and find that his soul is among lions. To what end, therefore, are these strainings after a hollow unity, when the spirit of fellowship is altogether gone?

The world is large enough, why not let us go our separate ways? Loud is the cry of our opponents for liberty; let them have it by all means. But let us have our liberty also. There is a right of association which we do not forego, and this involves a right of

disassociation, which we retain with equal tenacity. Those who are so exceedingly liberal, large-hearted and broad-minded might be so good as to allow us to forego the charms of their society without coming under the full violence of their wrath.

At any rate, cost what it may, to separate ourselves from those who separate themselves from the truth of God is not alone our liberty, but our duty. I have raised my protest in the only complete way by coming forth, and I shall be content to abide alone until the day when the Lord shall judge the secrets of all hearts; but it will not seem to me a strange thing if others are found faithful, and if others judge that for them also there is no path but that which is painfully apart from the beaten track.

"Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil. And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen." (Romans 16:17-20)

-This article was written in 1888. It is Spurgeon’s statement as to why he separated from the compromising London Baptist Association

(Reprinted from the Fundamental Evangelistic Association, P.O. Box 6278, Los Osos, California 93412)

With heart so kind and gentle,                                         And sympathetic eye;                                                   With touching, deep affection,                                         And loyal, tender tie –                                                Was LOVE betrothed to DOCTRINE                                          To hold him all her days:                                              And walk the aisle of gladness                                            United in his ways.

Her younger sister also                                                Had qualities as rare,                                                  Of caring, selfless kindness,                                           And warmth without compare;                                           Thus UNITY was drawn to                                                The husband of her youth:                                               And pledged herself for ever                                            To be the bride of TRUTH.

But TIME, with bitter envy,                                          Across the testing years,                                              Pursued the slow erosion                                                 Of happiness to tears;                                                 Till LOVE began to weary                                                 Of DOCTRINE’S pleasant voice,                                          And UNITY grew cold to                                                  The partner of her choice.

Then LOVE began to notice                                                The charms of HERESY,                                                  And awed by his opinions                                               She wanted to be free;                                                  And UNITY perceived that                                               Her virtues were desired                                                By many, many others                                                  Whose ways she so admired.

At length, two precious unions,                                         So promising, so blest,                                               Were darkened by delusion,                                        Disloyalty, unrest;                                                    Till came the day of sorrows,                                          And rending vows of youth                                             When LOVE divorced her DOCTRINE,                                       And UNITY her TRUTH.

--Author Unknown

(from Sword and Trowel, submitted by Raymond Stewart, Northern Ireland)

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LETTER-"Dear Brother Fellows, Your good letter came last month, and now I see in my new Angelus that you would like to hear from all of us who receive your good (paper). I wonder how many of us will respond to your request. Don’t expect a big flood of mail on this, human nature being what it is. In my missionary work over the years, I have sent out hundreds of free Bibles and books and many of those never acknowledged receiving them, and we are supposed to be dealing with Christians. This doesn’t say much for the modern Christian! ..." -Howard Nielsen, Minnesota