Every gift the man had, was used for Christ.
How precious a gift this musical power is! how usable a gift.
"A very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument." [22]
How much it can do for ourselves, for the world.
"David took an harp, and played with his hand; so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him." [23]
I have never forgotten how a lady with no great musical skill or education sang a verse of a hymn for me one night. It was at a little party, so she could not raise her voice above the softest undertone; but she sang that verse just to let me hear the tune, which I did not know. The words were familiar:
"There is a fountain filled with blood"—
I suppose I have often heard them what you call "better sung"; but never with more lovely effect. Every word, every note, was absolutely distinct and clear, yet not one rising above that undertone: I doubt if even the people nearest to us heard; and the most restless nerves, the weariest head, could have listened and been refreshed. I know my eyes grew full; and I thought to myself, "Ah, you have practised your voice by many a sick bed, and trained it for just that work."
"The evil spirit departed from Saul." But what of music that puts the evil spirit into men? Of songs, however sweet sounding, that are written in the service of the devil, and sung at the high court of the world? For this is your rule:
"Singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." [24]