Every song service should have a definite climax. But this needs careful planning. If there is no plan to the song service, and it is just a matter of taking up the time, merely to have the audience sing something before the service starts, there will be no climax. Neither will the song service accomplish much more than to take up some time.
We must remember that there is a definite purpose to the song service, and that is to prepare hearts for the message of the evening. If the hearts of the people are not stirred or melted, or both, during the song service, the song leader has not accomplished the task that is his. Then the evangelist will have to devote part of his sermon to that task before the hearts of the people are ready for his message.
Naturally the best place for the climax is at the end of the song service, just before the theme song (if you have one), or just before. the evangelist enters. Let us consider some examples of climaxes calculated to stir the hearts of the people.
Very often the climax song is the first one I choose in planning a song service. Let us say we will use "Jesus Saves," as our climax number. Then leading up to this, we can build songs about the saving power of Christ, His blood, and His sacrifice. Gradually as the song service progresses the audience will more and more enter into the spirit of the meeting. Then when the time comes to bring the song service to a close, the song leader may say, "Isn't it wonderful tonight to know that we have a Saviour who loves and cares for us and has power to save us from every sin? It has been a thrill for us all, I know, to sing about Jesus and His power again tonight. Just now let us put the sentiment of our hearts into song, and let our hearts be stirred again as we sing, 'We have heard the joyful song, Jesus saves, Jesus saves.' "
Perhaps you can have them stand, to enable them to sing better, and remain standing for the theme song and prayer. Then as you come to the last stanza, you can say, "Now, when we come to the last phrase of this last stanza, I want some of you sopranos and tenors to help us feel the thrill of the glorious message of this song more than ever. Let us put a good, high ending on this song. This is what I want you to help me do." Then sing for them just the last phrase, "Jesus saves, Jesus saves," taking the high ending, which is simply taking two notes on D the last time the word "Jesus" is sung, and then G on the word "saves," with a definite emphasis and retard on the whole phrase. If you are a baritone and cannot take the G, simply sing the two D's on "Jesus," and then in the same breath with your hand pointing upward, say, "And then the high note !" Or you can have the piano or some soloist demonstrate it. When this has been sung, compliment the audience sincerely and genuinely, and tell them, "That was so good I want to hear it again—just the last line, 'This our song of victory, Jesus saves, Jesus saves.'" And when you quote this last line to them, be sure to do it with plenty of emphasis and conviction, in a sort of declamatory style. If all this is done carefully and in the right spirit, it will give you and the audience a tremendous lift, and be a thrilling climax to your song service.
Other Types of Climax Songs
Another good climax song is the Glory Song, which also adapts itself to a high ending. With this I use songs like "Face to Face" and "Beautiful Valley of Eden." A different climax for a song service, intended to melt hearts would be a song like "Father, We Come to Thee," or "Pass Me Not." A special song by the choir or the quartet or a soloist can also be the climax of a song service, if those giving the special song have the consecrated ability to make it such. They should be told, of course, what the purpose of their special number is in that particular place in the song service.
It is a real problem to try to plan a song service with a climax, or any kind of song service, if a good Book and Bible House brother (and we love them all) decides he wants to sell some books during the song service. Perhaps we should discuss that matter some time in these. columns. It is also hard to plan a good song service if it is all broken up with many specials. Let us remember the counsel, "The singing is not always to be done by a few." If it is necessary to have a lot of specials, let us find out what they are, and include them in a carefully arranged song service.
Remember, the well-planned song service, with a correctly timed and well-chosen climax, has a very good chance of being a successful song service. Next month we shall consider "The Song Service on Special Nights and Occasions."
