A Church Up-to-Date

The Power of Song

Recently T had occasion to refer to a Latter-day Saints hymn book. I was at a ward meeting, and asked the leader of the choir for the book. It turned out that in that large choir, not a single copy could be found. There were the Psalmody, and other collections, but no hymn books. I discovered by the inquiry that seldom, if ever, was a hymn book tied in that choir or that congregation, except as the selected hymns were found in the collections mentioned, and in which they are not always found in full. Ofttimes the final verses are far superior to the others in expressing the poet's thoughts, and without them, the inspiration of the poem is often lost. I regretted the absence of hymn books very much. I trust the condition is not general; but if so, that we shall have a reformation in this respect, and that all the choirs and congregations in Zion will be supplied with an abundance of hymn books, in order that our fingers and worshipers may become thoroughly familiar with the spiritual songs of Zion and sing them under the inspiration of the Spirit of the Lord. I firmly believe that the singing of the sacred hymns written by the servants and hand-maidens of God, has a powerful effect in converting people to the principles of the gospel, and in promoting peace and spiritual growth. Singing is a prayer to the Lord, for we are told, "My soul delighteth in the song of the heart, yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads." I desire to relate just one incident showing how song has the power to soothe irritated feelings and bring harmony to the hearts of men who are filled with a contentious spirit. The incident occurred some years ago, I have been told, and it was a quarrel between two old Nauvoo veterans. These men had been full of integrity and devotion to the work of the Lord. They had been through many of the hardships of Nauvoo, and had suffered the drivings and persecutions of the Saints, as well as the hardships of pioneering, incident to the early settlement of Salt Lake Valley. These men had quarreled over some business affairs, and finally concluded that they

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would try and get President John Taylor to help them adjust their difficulties. John Taylor was then the president of the Council of the Twelve Apostles. The veterans pledged their word of honor, that they would faithfully abide by whatever decision Brother Taylor might render. Like many others, even in these days, they were not willing to accept the conclusions of their teachers, or bishops, or presidents of stakes, who would have been the authorized persons, in their order, to consult, and which would have been the proper course to pursue, but they must have some higher authority. Having been personally acquainted with President Brigham Young, in the days of Nauvoo, and feeling their importance in their own devotion to the work of the Lord, nothing short, apparently, of an apostle's advice, would satisfy them. They called on President Taylor, but did not immediately tell him what their trouble was, but explained that they had seriously quarreled and asked him if he would listen to their story and render his decision. President Taylor willingly consented. He said, "Brethren, before I hear your case, I would like very much to sing one of the songs of Zion for you." Those of my readers who were acquainted with President Taylor know that he was a very capable singer, and interpreted sweetly and with spirit, our sacred hymns. He then sang one of these to the two brethren. Seeing its effect, he remarked that he never heard one of the songs of Zion but that he wanted to listen to one more, and so asked that he might sing another. Of course, they consented. They both seemed to enjoy it; and, having sung the second song, he remarked that with their consent he would sing still another, which he did, as he had heard there is luck in odd numbers. Then in his jocular way, he remarked: "Now brethren, I do not want to wear you out, but if you will forgive me, and listen to one more hymn, I promise to stop singing, and will hear your case." The story goes that when President Tavlor had finished the fourth song, the brethren were melted to tears, got up and shook hands, asked President Taylor to excuse them for having called upon him, and for taking up his time, they then departed without his even knowing what their difficulties were. President Taylor's singing from our standard hymn book, had reconciled the brethren. The Spirit of the Lord had entered their hearts, and the hills of difference that existed between them, and evidently appeared as big as mountains, had been leveled and become as nothing. Love aurl brotherhood had developed in their souls, and the trifles over which they had quarreled, hud become valueless in their sight. The songs