Article February 21, 1948 Issue

"MUSIC IS THE HARMONY OF BEING"

LAURA WEBER BURR

Through the ages countless thousands have found great joy in music, either in writing it, in giving expression to it, or in hearing it. In the Scriptures we find numerous references to music, such as the admonition to sing unto the Lord and to praise Him with the harp and other musical instruments. Music is more than concordant sound; in our human experience it hints the harmony of divine Mind. Our revered Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, tells us in "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 106), "Music is the harmony of being; but the music of Soul affords the only strains that thrill the chords of feeling and awaken the heart's harpstrings." Is not music, then, for all of us, not just for a few?

Our Leader knew the value of music and in the Manual of The Mother Church has provided for it in our services. There she states that appropriate organ or piano music shall precede and follow the Sunday services and Wednesday testimony meetings where this is possible. Each Christian Science service includes three hymns in which all can participate, and the Sunday and Thanksgiving Day services have, in addition, a solo. Article XIX, Section 1, provides that the music in The Mother Church shall be of a religious character, of a high musical standard, but not operatic, and that it shall be suitably played or rendered. Music is thus closely interwoven with the pattern which we call our church service!

As Christian Scientists, we strive to live in obedience to the Church Manual. Ought we not then to waken to a fuller appreciation of the music for which the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science therein provides? Do we make the effort to get to church in time to listen to the organ prelude in quiet meditation and to commune with God, divine Principle, Love, preparing ourselves to receive His Word? Or do we rush in at the last moment, during the singing of the first hymn, perhaps disturbing those around us? Are we aware of the privilege that is ours in making "a joyful noise unto the Lord" by joining wholeheartedly in the singing of the hymns, realizing that their message complements that of the Lesson-Sermon found in the Christian Science Quarterly? A definition of the word "sing" is "to acclaim in a laudatory way." Assuredly all are desirous of acclaiming the great goodness of our Father-Mother God.

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