The vagaries of the evangelical world are apparently boundless. There appeared on our desk recently a letter containing a leaflet which intimated that a musical called, “If My People . . .” was to be presented in the Tent Hall, Glasgow, on August 16th. The purpose of this musical
was to call “Christians to repent and pray for the nation.” Repentance and prayer are certainly very much required at the present time and to seek them is a very desirable object to have in view. The notion that they are to be attained by means of a musical is not only absurd but thoroughly unscriptural. The Word of God makes it plain that repentance and prayer are effected through the gospel being preached as the whole counsel of God and accompanied by the power of the Holy Ghost. The Saviour preached that “Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish,” while Paul testified “both to the Jews and to the Greeks repentance towards God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” The preaching of Peter was blessed on the day of Pentecost to bring 3,000 souls to repentance. In none of these cases was there any musical accompaniment to entertain, only solemn and searching Truth to convict.
Accompanying this leaflet was a “News Release” intimating the religious sweetmeats to be provided at the Tent Hall during some of the winter months. There are to be “Topical Talks” covering such subjects as drug addiction, the Permissive Society etc. “Musical Nights — with a message!” are also to be a feature. Two of these are described as “Daybreak. Musical of the Second Coming. Sung by the Church of God Youth Choir, Kilsyth” and “Love Musical — Based on the subject of the love of God.” Another series of nights feature “Special Guests”. Among these is a gentleman described as “David Shepherd, Dynamic Welsh Evangelist.” We are also informed that there is a “Full supporting musical programme each night with Raymond Wylie and ‘His Sound’, Country Gospel Four,” and other musical bands.
In the midst of this pot-pourri of sociology, religion, musical entertainment, and special guests, appears that great fetish of evangelicals called “Youth Nights”. The strange notion exists in the mind of these individuals that young people are more likely to be converted by attending “Youth Nights”, “Youth Fellowships,” and “Youth Clubs” etc than by waiting upon the Lord in the means of grace and forms of worship instituted by the Saviour. This idea has its origin in the same darkened imagination which thinks that repentance will be brought about by a musical. Young people should be warned against this type of religious folly.
The “Youth Nights” advertised here have, of course, a showing of the Johnny Cash Film, “Gospel Road”, with the Epilogue given by Billy Graham. On 15th November, the young people are to be favoured with a visit from:—
“Rev. David Paterson — Free Church, Perth.
A preacher you must hear!
Full musical programme.”
It is only because we live in a day of blinding spiritual judgments that we can credit that this unhappy man was at one time a communicant in the Free Presbyterian Church. Feeling the piety practised among us a bit restrictive, he took wings and departed. While his departure does not commend his piety, it does indicate that he, at least, was honest! Eventually he found a place in the ministry of the Free Church. That body, like the Free Presbyterian Church, professes to be Calvinistic in doctrine and, in worship, uses Psalms to the exclusion of hymns and music. The inconsistency of a Free Church minister taking part in the unscriptural activities in this Hall of spiritual darkness needs no comment. We wonder if there are any in his Presbytery sincere enough to see that he is dealt with? It may be salutary to remember also that those who commence to backslide from a clear and unequivocal testimony on the side of Divine Truth have no guarantee how far they may go. “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required; and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.” (Luke 12:48).
D. M., Glasgow.