Religion in Daily Life

By the Rev. Edward Chinn, D.Min.

http://www.allsaintstorresdale.org

According to a legend, after God created the world, He called the angels to Him. He asked them what they thought of the world. An angel said, "One thing is lacking: the sound of praise to the Creator. God then created music. It was heard in the whisper of the wind, in the song of the birds, and in the human being's use of his or her voice to make music. Consider how we appreciate the power of music.

Music has power to unite people. On September 11, 2001, members of Congress gathered on the Capitol steps to sing "God Bless America." At that time, the House and Senate members saw the black plume of smoke rising from the Pentagon across the Potomac River. One year later in 2002, the House and Senate held a solemn joint meeting in New York's Federal Hall. It was only the second meeting of Congress held outside Washington in the past two centuries. These lawmakers went to New York City to show their solidarity with the people there. Once again, the power of music united them as they held hands and sang "God Bless America" with a high school choir.

Music has power to move people. Consider the hauntingly beautiful melody we know as "Taps." Brig. Gen. Daniel Butterfield composed this music in July 1862 at Harrison's Landing in Virginia. Butterfield was dissatisfied with the custom of firing three rifle volleys at the conclusion of burials during battle. Butterfield probably altered an older piece known as "Tattoo," a French bugle call used to signal "lights out." The words of "Taps" are: "Day is done, Gone the sun, From the lakes, From the hills, From the sky. All is well. Safely rest. God is nigh." Who has not been moved by the power of this music?

Music has power to heal people. "Music can be a powerful catalyst in the healing process," writes Don Campbell, author of "The Mozart Effect." This book cites many examples "in which sound and music are used to help patients suffering from everything from anxiety to cancer, high blood pressure to chronic pain and mental distress" (http://www.msnbc.com/news, June 13, 2002). Three thousand years ago, David played his harp to let the power of music heal the depression and fear of King Saul (1 Samuel 16). As William Congreve (1670-1729) said, "Music has charms to soothe the savage breast, to soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak."