Singing, or sunshine, bands have proved a blessing to many in hospitals and sanitariums, and around beds of sickness in homes. I decided to try using singing bands for my interested people, and they have proved a great blessing, not only to the ones for whom we sing, but also to the young people who assist in this work.
I use six or eight singers. I am not always able to find trained singers, but if I can just find those who sing from the heart, I am satisfied. We gather together and go to a home where I have made an appointment, usually on Saturday night. Sometimes we are able to use an instrument, an accordion or a violin. But if not, we sing anyway.
We take books along and pass them out to the members of the family. After singing some old favorite song, we find the family joining heartily with us. We sing several songs together, and sometimes have a special song. Occasionally we have someone give a sacred reading. Then we read a short Scripture and ask all to kneel in prayer, which they gladly do.
Through our singing band we were able to arouse the interest of a young woman, a Latter-day Saint. She is now taking studies, and her husband is also interested.
One night we called in a home in which the husband was a Catholic. He watched us carefully, and after we had gone he said to his wife, "Folks like those take the meanness out of a person." Today he is taking Bible studies with his wife. Truly, song has power to subdue rude natures. Hearts are touched, and the Holy Spirit has a chance to work. The following quotations from the Spirit of prophecy emphasize the value of song:
"There are few means more effective for fixing His words in the memory than repeating them in song. And such song has wonderful power. It has power to subdue rude and uncultivated natures ; power to quicken thought and awaken sympathy, to promote harmony of action, and to banish the gloom and foreboding that destroy courage and weaken effort."—"Education," pp. 167, 168. (See also "Patriarchs and Prophets," p. 594.)
I have found singing bands to be a great asset in giving Bible studies. They provide just the little social touch that is needed. Confidence is gained and prejudice broken down when the gospel is given in song, and hearts are won for the Master.
