The Foreword to the Hymnal Notes, to be used with the Christian Science Hymnal, states, "It is a sign of love and loyalty to be 'instructed in the songs of the Lord' (I Chronicles 25:6, 7)." Why is this? Does it mean that everyone should sing, regardless of vocal ability?

The right answers to these questions will be most rewarding to students of Christian Science. For only by grasping the true purpose of hymnody can we say with Paul (I Cor. 14:15), "I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also."

It is not difficult to think of hymns as outpourings of love. God is Love. His goodness and tenderness are beautifully illustrated in the Christian Science Hymnal. In addition, Christian Science teaches that the entire creation of divine Love reflects the spiritual quality of love. When this is understood, unlovely, material concepts are cast out of one's experience, and the individual manifests health and harmony. Loving gratitude to God for such blessings impels the student of Christian Science to sing.

But how can hymns be an expression of loyalty? It is helpful to consider what Mary Baker Eddy says regarding loyalty. In "Retrospection and Introspection" she writes (p. 50), "By loyalty in students I mean this,—allegiance to God, subordination of the human to the divine, steadfast justice, and strict adherence to divine Truth and Love."

The first stipulation, "allegiance to God, can readily be applied to hymn singing. The exhortation to sing praises is probably repeated oftener than any other admonition in the Bible. From the Bible one gathers that the children of Israel were great lovers of music. Christ Jesus, as well as his disciples, sang hymns. These individuals did not do so for relaxation or to display artistic ability. They were singing their way out of darkness or giving joyous voice to the omnipotence of God.

The Lesson-Sermons in the Christian Science Quarterly, designed to forward universal and individual spiritual growth, often include Bible citations to sing praises. An alert student of Christian Science will welcome this means of expressing fidelity to divine Principle, God.

When we subordinate the human to the divine, we shall not listen to suggestions such as, "I don't know this hymn," or, "I can't sing," or, "It doesn't matter whether I sing or not."

It is natural for each to have individual preferences, but it is wise to remember that hymns are much more than favorite tunes. They are often affirmations of Truth. All melodies, at one time, were unfamiliar to us. Willingness to try something new or difficult will reveal unexplored beauty. Reading the words without musical notation aids in breaking the limitation of associating one melody with one set of words. Then one may be surprised to discover how much better another and less familiar setting expresses poetic thought.

If the problem seems to be lack of vocal ability, this should be vigorously denied! Christian Science shows us that whatever is deficient, discordant, monotonous, or uncertain is a false material concept. Because his true selfhood is spiritual, one does not need to accept these limitations as part of himself. He can assert his God-given dominion and be free of them.

Mrs. Eddy says, "Hold in yourselves the true sense of harmony, and this sense will harmonize, unify, and unself you" (Message to The Mother Church for 1900, p. 11). Farther on she continues: "Music is divine. Mind, not matter, makes music; and if the divine tone be lacking, the human tone has no melody for me." When it is clearly realized that both man and music are governed by Principle, one becomes articulate and he sings!

Congregational singing was originally lost when liturgy and ritual replaced the early Christian worship. It was not restored until enlightened thinking provided the means for each individual worshiper to participate fully in the church service, thus fulfilling the Biblical demand for each to work out his own salvation.

To feel that it makes no difference whether one sings or not is a grave mistake. Let us add our voices to hymn singing, which our Leader designated as part of the church service, just as we would join in Responsive Reading and prayer. Giving support in this manner strengthens the service.

"Strict adherence to divine Truth and Love" brings gratifying results. One student was troubled because her voice unexpectedly cracked on higher notes. The condition did not yield to prayerful mental work. One Wednesday evening, as she stood for congregational singing, she vigorously denied the suggestion that error could interfere with right activity. She began to sing with the others Hymn No. 313 from the Christian Science Hymnal, It was unfamiliar to her, but it was exactly what she needed at that moment. The first words were,

Gratefully she continued until she reached the beautiful phrase, "True praise shall tune my voice," then she realized that she was entirely free. The healing proved to be permanent.

Mrs. Eddy's sacred poems present the power of God and the healing Christ. They are cherished by her followers for this reason and for the specific aid they afford in solving individual problems.

A woman considered the possessor of a happy disposition found herself struggling against a sense of depression. Her desires seemed frustrated, and life held little meaning. One night she felt herself slipping into dangerous depths of despondency.

When she turned to God for guidance, the words "Saw ye my Saviour?" from Mrs. Eddy 's "Communion Hymn" (Poems, p. 75) flashed into her consciousness. Heretofore this particular poem had held no special meaning for her other than to seem pleasing and appropriate for Communion Sunday. Now it rang with significance in a veritable psalm of joy. She saw that joy is ever present because it is a spiritual quality. Being spiritual, it is stable and unchanging. It cannot be possessed or lost by a corporeal person.

Losing the false, personal sense enabled her to glimpse more of reality. She saw that no one in God's kingdom was a victim of circumstances; God not only had a plan for her, but for everyone with whom she came in contact. The realization of these truths completed the healing, and in the days immediately following there were many opportunities to express joy and gratitude.

Hymns contain many inspired messages. They are designed to meet the human need and to satisfy the deep desire to glorify God. These blessings rightfully belong to everyone. When claimed, they lead to spiritual unfoldment and enable one to heed the Psalmist's exhortation (Ps. 100:2), "Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing."