"Thoughts on Music" by John Anderson Hunter

One of John Anderson Hunter's Singing Schools.  John is
in the back with the book.

John Anderson Hunter was my great grandfather.  He married Millie Francis Sandlin and they were blessed with eleven children.  The oldest child was Oscar Green Hunter, my grandfather.

Music is the language of the soul. It originates in the soul and its destiny lies in the soul.

As the whole life of the plant is manifest in a beautiful flower.

So the emotions of the soul are expressed in the music it produces.

Great musicians become so enraptured with the harmony of their instruments, while they draw from them their soothing vibrations that they are aware of nothing but the great emotions which swell in their bosoms, and the charming tones which express them. While great crowds of listeners are made to weep or rejoice as the masters either strike the sad, fretful chords or sound the merry melodies.

Say aye, then that music does not begin with the soul. As words express ideas and sentences express thoughts, so tones express emotions and strains of music express moods.

But any purpose is not to deal especially with music in general. But to deal with music in the church and the first question which confronts us is this.

Should there be music in the churches granting that music is the language of the soul and that the churches deal especially with the soul, which is the fundamental factor of the church’s existence; then it is axiomatic that the soul must not be deprived of its means of expression and it becomes absolutely necessary that there be music in the church. Paul says, “Be filled with the spirit, speaking to yourselves in Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs.”

Singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.

Second Samuel sixth chapter and fifth verse says, “And David and all the house of Israel played before the Lord on all manner of instruments made of fir wood, even on harps, and psalteries, and timbrels and on cornets, and cymbals”. And many other statements are made in the sacred Book in regard to the use of music in the worship of the Almighty God.

Therefore, we would say that music is not only desirable, but it is necessary in the church.

Many souls have been lured to the sanctuary of music and remained to pray for salvation.

Some have joined the choir and almost sung themselves into the Kingdom. And hosts of saints are indebted to the music for their tittle.

Then, what do you think of music? Is it the language of the soul? Does it express emotions and moods? Does God hear it with pleasure and does it lift souls up to God? If so, can there be too much music in religious worship?

Certainly the answer would be, let the musicians play and the singers sing, and let the whole congregation rejoice until the world shall resound with music and great joy; there shall we see the King coming in all Power and great glory and heaven and earth shall unite in praising his Holy name.