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HOW TO USE THE SERVICES

Music-God is the author, and not man: he laid
The key-note of all harmonies: he planned
All perfect combinations, and he made

Us so that we could hear and understand.
-J. G. Brainard.

Charles Cuthbert Hall said: “Great hymns, by their exalted tone, their tenderness, or by their faithfulness, as reflecting emotions actually stirring the soul, often exert a tremendous influence upon boyhood. Boys, unless seriously depraved, are open to the appeal of that which combines true sympathy with true dignity. The heroic element in boyhood is very strong. Blessed are the boys in whom that 'heroic element has not perished beneath the smoldering influences of wilful sin against self."

Sociologists tell us that the highest form of coöperation is choral singing. It is perfect team work. Only as the members coöperate with each other will there be harmony and the product beautiful. There is great need today for congregational singing, and encouragement should be given every effort having for its goal the production of not only great choruses, but social coöperation. There is much truth in the saying, "A singing church is a live church, and a non-singing church is a dead church." Good singing requires enthusiasm and enthusiasm is dependent upon unanimity. If all sing, the result will grow to be good and enjoyable. If only a small part sing, the result will be dull and tiresome. Years ago, the writer attended a Sunday morning service in Spurgeon's Tabernacle, London, and will never forget the impression made upon him by the singing of that great congregation. Accompanied by neither organ nor choir, but led by a Precentor who got his pitch from a tuning fork, that immense gathering sang with unanimity and depth of spiritual feeling. Singing became the avenue through which the people were led to the climax of the service-the sermon. It was a prepared congregation. Many good sermons and addresses become non-effective because of the inappropriate hymns and scriptural selections which precede them.

It has often been remarked that the religious influence of a hymn writer is greater than that of a theologian, since men are moved more powerfully by the emotions than by the understanding. This is especially true of boys. If hymns that have the stirring appeal, as—

"Courage, brother, do not stumble,
Though the path be dark as night;
There's a star to guide the humble,
Trust in God and do the right,"

come into a boy's life during his impressionable and decision-making period, who can measure their influence in the establishment of faith and the fundamentals of Christian character. Hymns for boys must have in them the heroic appeal and the service appeal. False sentiment should be avoided. Hymns having as their theme an over-exaggerated sentiment regarding death and an unnatural longing for heaven

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should find no place in the hymnology of boyhood. The real red-blooded boy has no aspiration along these lines. He wants to be a man, remain in the world and do a man's work.

Hymns which express qualities of sturdy Christian character, and which inspire service toward others, should be selected and employed in the religious education of boys. The temptation to be led astray by a singable tune, without reference to the words of the hymn, is very great. "The tune should exist for the sake of the words, not the words for the sake of the tune. It is the words chiefly that convey the sentiment and aim of the hymn or song. This is fundamental. To merely choose a pretty air and mechanically write a fit metrical verse to it, as is too often done, results in a hymnody poor in poetic quality, lacking in spontaneity, and without the appeal to heart and life which all true hymns and songs should possess." (Wendte.)

For several decades our American churches and Sunday-schools have been undergoing a demoralization musically, through the introduction of music of the religious ballad and even "rag-time" type. There is now a returning to those hymns that have stood the test of time and are old because they are good. Where can be found better hymns of invitation than "Jesus calls us o'er the tumult," or "Who is on the Lord's side," or hymns of love and loyalty like "O love that wilt not let me go," "Faith of our Fathers," "Fight the good fight with all thy might," and "O Jesus, I have promised to serve Thee to the end"? Such hymns have in them the appeal which the boy demands from any cause which would enlist his service and control his life.

Much depends upon the interpretation given these "Services of Worship" by the leader, if they are to accomplish their true purpose and mission. If the spirit of worship radiates from leader to audience, the result will be a devotional atmosphere, a reverence, and a dignity which will make the service of permanent value to every participant. The leader should read carefully and thoughtfully beforehand the selection of Scripture, responses, prayers, and even the hymns. Preparation counts tremendously. Read the service with distinctness, but do not convey the impression of declaiming. Put heart into the service. "Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh." Avoid a free and careless manner, bordering on the verge of familiarity with the audience, which sometimes breeds contempt for the leader as well as for the service. Invest the service with your personality, a personality which will reflect the result of time spent in the secret place of prayer.

A good organist or pianist who will be sympathetic with the service is absolutely essential. Special services requiring string or wind instruments are enriched by their use, but as a rule omit orchestras. Nothing jars the spiritual nerves of the individual and surcharges the atmosphere with discord so much as the continual screeching process of "tuning up" indulged in by instrumentalists. An orchestra many times interferes with congregational singing as frequently the attention is directed to the orchestra instead of being focused upon the hymn. Even the theatre is banishing the orchestra on the ground that it disturbs the play. Do not employ an orchestra unless it is skilled and practiced and every member enters heartily into the spirit of the service.

The participation of every individual is the thing to be desired, therefore encourage chorus or choral singing. In order to stimulate participation it is a good plan to occasionally divide the audience into two great choirs and sing the hymn in antiphonal style-one choir responding to the other choir. For an illustration, take the hymn "Stand up, stand up for Jesus," let Choir A sing the first line, Choir B the second line, and thus alternate until the last line, when both unite. Again let one choir sing the first verse, and the other choir the second verse, both Page Twelve

uniting in the chorus, as called for. This can be accomplished in a dignified manner, without hilarity or detracting from the seriousness of the service.

The subjects for addresses are merely suggestive, and are not intended to be adhered to, unless the speaker desires. The services are not planned to be given in consecutive order. Each service is complete in itself. At one meeting, service . on page 18 may be used, at another meeting the service on page 28. After securing the topic of the address from the speaker, the service best fitted to give the address a responsive atmosphere should be used.

The spirit of giving should be fostered and encouraged. With this in mind, provision has been made in the services for the taking of an offering. Announcements regarding the institution or organization or cause to which the offering will be given should be made one week in advance.

While several of the services are specially planned for out-of-doors and for boys' camps, all the other services except "Easter," "Thanksgiving," "Christmas" and "New Year" may be used in God's great temple out-of-doors. Additional selections suitable for choir, quartette, and special occasions may be found on the last pages of the book.

The index of hymns will enable the arrangement of numerous combinations of services and forms in itself a complete hymn book for boys.

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COURAGE

I. OPENING SENTENCES (all standing).

Leader: Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

All: Have I not commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

II. HYMN (all standing). TUNE: PORTUGUESE HYMN. No. 50.

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III. PRAYER (in unison, all seated with heads bowed).

Almighty God, thou who art the same yesterday, today and forever, grant unto us strength and courage to go forth in thy name and conquer the things which prevent us from being what we ought to be. Put new courage into our hearts this day, O God; new courage to do right, to bear burdens, to assume hard tasks, to stand up for high principles, to proclaim Jesus Christ. Remove from us cowardice and slothfulness, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

IV. HYMN (all standing). TUNE: DAY OF REST.

O Jesus, I have promised

To serve thee to the end;

Be thou forever near me,

My Master and my Friend;
I shall not fear the battle

If thou art by my side,
Nor wander from the pathway
If thou wilt be my Guide.

O let me feel thee near me,

The world is ever near;
I see the sights that dazzle,

The tempting sounds I hear:
My foes are ever near me,

Around me and within;
But, Jesus, draw thou nearer,

And shield my soul from sin.

No. 31.

O let me hear thee speaking
In accents clear and still,
Above the storms of passion,

The murmurs of self-will:
O speak to reassure me,

To hasten or control;
O speak, and make me listen,
Thou Guardian of my soul.
O Jesus, thou hast promised

To all who follow thee
That where thou art in glory

There shall thy servant be;
And, Jesus, I have promised

To serve thee to the end;
O give me grace to follow

My Master and my Friend.

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