OzThoughts – Wednesday 26th August 2009.

OzThoughts – Wednesday 26th August 2009.


General George Carpenter’s Preface to The Salvation Army Chorus Book published in November, 1945 is very interesting reading in light of developments in the music we use in worship today. George Carpenter was the first Australian General (Eva Burrows was the second) and led the Army through World War 2 and for almost a year after it ceased, retiring in June 1946. http://www.sacollectables.com/history_bios/bio_gcarpenter.htm

The General wrote in the Preface:

The Salvation Army chorus has long been as much a part of our procedure as the march along the street. People of every type who attend our meetings expect to hear the invitation, “Now we’ll sing a chorus. Join in heartily!” It would be a great loss if the custom declined, for which reason I am delighted to recommend for careful study and wide use this collection of choruses.

The appropriate refrain, expressing a clearly stated idea, helps us in prayer and in praise. Encourages our faith, increases our zeal, drives away doubt and adds to our spiritual vigour. The number of those who have surrendered to Christ while the believers around them have sung a chorus must run into many thousands.

Our meetings ought, therefore, to be graced often with chorus singing of one kind or another, and not only those which are for the moment in vogue.

This collection will do much to keep in use choruses which might otherwise be forgotten. Let us sing them, old and new, to the Glory of God.

Geo. L. Carpenter.
International Headquarters
London
November, 1945.

There is a lot in what the General says in those few words.

I wonder what the General would think of an Army that does not often sing these choruses and at the same time in many places has given up marching the streets. I trust he would be pleased with the way God has led us in these days.


PRAYER:

[Listen: Cornet Solo: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_598.mp3 ]

Teach me how to love Thee
Teach me how to pray,
Teach me how to serve Thee
Better ev’ry day;
Teach me how to serve Thee
Better ev’ry day.
(Chorus 179).

MEDITATION:

Psalm 149 (The Message)

1Hallelujah! Sing to GOD a brand-new song,
praise him in the company of all who love him.
2Let all Israel celebrate their Sovereign Creator,
Zion's children exult in their King.
3Let them praise his name in dance;
strike up the band and make great music!
4And why? Because GOD delights in his people,
festoons plain folk with salvation garlands!

5Let true lovers break out in praise,
sing out from wherever they're sitting,
6Shout the high praises of God,
brandish their swords in the wild sword--dance--
7A portent of vengeance on the God--defying nations,
a signal that punishment's coming,
8Their kings chained and hauled off to jail,
their leaders behind bars for good,
9The judgment on them carried out to the letter
-and all who love God in the seat of honor!

Hallelujah! Al

Psalm 150 (The Message)

1Hallelujah! Praise God in his holy house of worship,
praise him under the open skies;
2Praise him for his acts of power,
praise him for his magnificent greatness;
3Praise with a blast on the trumpet,
praise by strumming soft strings;
4Praise him with castanets and dance,
praise him with banjo and flute;
5Praise him with cymbals and a big bass drum,
praise him with fiddles and mandolin.
6Let every living, breathing creature praise GOD!

Hallelujah!

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