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 One
preacher says, “Twenty years ago the brethren studied their
Bibles and gave a reason for their hope. They wouldn’t put up
with the Tomfoolery of our modern day.” Another preacher says,
“fifty years ago,” and a third says, “one hundred years
ago.” All of which proves that preachers differ in age. What
they really mean is “back before my time” all was well. In
reality, all has never been well, even in the first century.
Writing
the article on “Worshipful Singing” (pp. 4) recalled a
conversation I once had with bro. C. R. Nichol about such. We
discussed the extremes to which more liberal congregations were
going even then; and bro. Nichol said we must not conclude that
all past days were “good old days.”
He
told of being at a place for a meeting; and when the song leader
announced a certain song he heard much shifting and rustling of
feet, and looked back to see people moving about in the
auditorium. One lady went to the back, and stood quietly in the
corner. A young man came to the front and went out through a
dressing room door. Bro. Nichol was disturbed by this movement,
and asked a nearby brother for an explanation.
“Oh,
the song that was called is a
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special number,” he was told. “The
bass voices, the tenor, and the alto, are getting together to
better sing their parts.”
“But
what about the woman at the back?” bro. Nichol inquired.
“That is sister _____,“ came the reply.
“She sings a beautiful contralto part, and goes to the back so
that her special section of the song will be distinct.”
“And
the young man that left the auditorium? bro. Nichol asked, with
misgivings.
“Bro.
__________doesn’t have a good singing voice,” he was told.
“He is going back there to whistle in the baptistry.”
“It
was a real production!” bro. Nichol assured me; and I feel
certain it was that — a “real production!!” HAVE WE
LEARNED MUCH IN FIFTY YEARS??
Yes
indeed! The electronic P.A. system makes a better resonator for
humming (or whistling?) than the baptistry, and “parts” are
already together in a chorus (or choir).
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