The field of evangelistic music is doubtless one of the least-developed powers of this denomination. Today when the loud cry of the message is to be proclaimed with power by ministers of God, how vital it is that we have consecrated, efficient song leaders to stand by the side of the evangelist in winning thousands to the cause by their message in song.
In large-city evangelism, as in smaller efforts, the music must appeal to the masses, and yet it must ever bear the distinction and dignity of the truth with which it is associated. One of our great needs today is for trained song leaders who can stand before audiences of thousands, and by their direction and rendition of gospel songs prepare minds and hearts for the sermon to follow. Such song leaders, characterized by dignity, sincerity, and fervor, with an understanding of the type of songs most needed, can take an audience assembled from all walks of life and gradually mold them into a unified, receptive body, willing to receive the seeds of truth which will be dropped into their hearts by the evangelist.
Three or four well-chosen songs will be sufficient for the usual thirty-minute singing service. Occasionally permit the audience to call out their favorite hymns, using a stanza or two of as many requests as you can. Soon nearly the whole crowd will be enthusiastically, yet unconsciously, responding to your program. By a thorough knowledge of your songbook, you can quickly select the numbers you prefer for the service of the evening. If there is a good soloist in the audience or the choir, call on him to sing the stanza, and urge a hearty response by the congregation on the chorus.
Keep the program varied from night to night. Make each song service a time of refreshing. If there are announcements which can be made during this service, make them between songs, thus giving more time to the evangelist when he enters the platform.
A song leader who learns to handle the newspaper advertising can greatly relieve the evangelist of this heavy responsibility. In the event of a radio program in connection with the campaign, the singer can supply the speaker and the broadcasting station with advance copies of song titles and names of singers. When not otherwise occupied in the radio studio, he can signal the time for each feature in order that the program may utilize every possible moment of time on the air.
However expert the musical director may be, he should never feel that his soul-winning duties exist only on the platform or in his practice hours. He should be a capable Bible worker. In large campaigns in which thousands of names of interested people are received, the song leader should arrange his daily program so as to spend a part of each day in visiting and studying with a regular assigned group. In this way he will not only strengthen the efforts of the other Bible workers, but will gain blessings that could not be received in any other way. As the honest in heart are led to God and come forward at the altar calls, he will then truly rejoice in a way that he never could had he not had a definite part in their salvation.
He should become thoroughly acquainted with the evangelist's altar appeals, and work closely beside him in these moments of decision. A song effectively used in these appeals may decide the destiny of some listener. No greater human assurance could possibly come to an evangelist, as he stands before his audience, than to know that his associated workers are silently sending a prayer to heaven in his behalf, for the salvation of souls.
The evangelist and the singer should stand united as one man in this sacred calling. As the power of the gospel song merges with the power of the preached word, and the Spirit of God accompanies both the message and the messenger, hearts will melt before God, and thousands will be turned into the blessed channel of truth.