Singing as a Means of Preaching the Gospel

Singing as a Means of Preaching the Gospel.

BY ANDREW JENSON, PRESIDENT OF THE SCANDINAVIAN MISSION.

Good singing has always been an essential feature of the Latter-day Saints' worship. Next to the preaching of the gospel by the elders of the Church, impressive singing, especially by organized choirs, has everywhere been the chief factor in soften- ing the hearts of mankind towards the truths of heaven and pre- paring men to receive the plan of salvation. Singing has often impressed people, when preaching has entirely failed. It has been proved repeatedly that the elder who can sing has a decided advantage over him who cannot. This- rule holds good among all classes of people, and in all countries and climes, and might serve as an admonition to all young men to cultivate early in life their talents for singing. In the Scandinavian mission the majority of our elders are able name of the Lord in song, which goes far to praise the toward making them efficient and successful missionaries. In our larger branches, where we have well-trained choirs, the whole- some effects of good singing is especially noticed. The saying has become general that the " 'Mormons' have most excellent sing- ing in their meetings," and it is not unusual to hear one compan- ion say to another, "Come, let us go and hear the 'Mormons' sing." Under this impression, they come to our meetings the first time, and then often hear more than they expected. For besides the inspired strains of music, they listen to the preaching, which often proves a great surprise to them, since, instead of hearing ridiculous dogmas and false doctrines, as perhaps they had been

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led to expect, they listen, it may be for the first time in their lives, to the true gospel of Jesus Christ. The next time they conclude to visit, they come to hear the preaching as well as the singing. In such manner hundreds of people in these countries have been converted to "Mormonism." The largest and best trained choir in the Scandinavian Mission is perhaps the Christiania choir, in Norway. We think it second to none in the Church, outside of the stakes of Zion. It has about seventy voices now, led by Elder George W. Christophersen, of Salt Lake City. Our excellent choir in Copenhagen consists of nearly fifty voices, under the tutorship of Elder Lauritz M. Soren- sen, of Big Horn Basin, Wyoming. The choir of tue Aarhus branch, 1

under the leadership of Elder Christian H Johnson of Bear River City, and that of the Aalborg branch, led by Elder Charles H. Soren- sen, of Salt Lake City, are also rendering efficient service. In the cities mentioned, the Church owns large and commodious meeting halls and mission houses, which fact gives us every opportunity for preaching the gospel. In a few other cities of Denmark and Norway, where halls are rented, we also have good, well-trained choirs. Thus a choir of forty voices, with Elder Wilford H. Wilde, of Brigham City, as chorister, enlivens the well attended meetings in the quaint and historic city of Bergen, on the Western coast of Norway. In Trondhjem, the old Cathedral city of Norway, we have a flourish- ing branch of the Church, with Elder Alvin E. Olsen, of Salt Lake City, leading a choir of twenty voices. In Drammen (Norway) and Randers, (Denmark) and in a few other places, we have small choirs led by elders from Zion. The leaders often teach the members of their respective choirs to sing the songs of Zion in the language of the great Anglo Saxon world, as well as in the native tongue; and I have often been a most interested and enraptured listener to the sweet songs of Zion sung in English, in the spirit of Zion, by the sons and daughters of Denmark and Norway. The brogue, un avoidably associated with their attempt to pronounce the foreign words, only adds to the beauty of the text. The "Song of the Redeemed' and other kindred masterpieces thus sung thrills the souls of the elders, calling forth memories of home and dear ones, or a suppressed tear, and fills the heart with increased love for the

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great cause that has taken them so far from home. I may add that our best poetical English Church literature has been trans- lated into the Danish-Norwegian language.

AALBORG BRANCH CHOIR, DENMARK.

The accompanying photograph of the choir in Aalborg was taken at our semi-annual conference, October last. The young chorister is easily recognized by the baton in his hand. On his right sit the presidents of the mission and of the Aalborg confer- ence, respectively, who, by special request, were photographed with the choir as honorary members. The others are local Saints. Copenhagen, Denmark. . '

A- postal deficit of nearly $17,500,000 is reported by the postmaster general. The chief sources of the loss are in the rural free delivery, and in second-class mail matter. The postmaster general rec- ommends an increase in the rate of second-class mail, fast regular mail service to South America and Australia, and the establishment of postal savings banks.