Ellen Gould White
What does Ellen White write about...
Ellen Gould White über: "Ellen White Guidelines for Music in Worship"
Answer
Ellen White emphasizes that music in worship should serve the worship of God and not self‑display or entertainment. She calls for careful training of the voice for clear, understandable singing – not loud and shrill, but gentle and melodic. Instrumental music is expressly approved, provided it accompanies artfully and worthily. The whole congregation should, whenever possible, participate in singing, and secular or theatrical elements are to be avoided in worship.
Singing with Spirit and Understanding
»When people sing with spirit and understanding, the heavenly musicians take up the sound and join the hymn of thanks. He who has given us all gifts that enable us to be God’s co‑workers expects of His servants that they train their voices so that they can speak and sing, so that all may understand. Loud singing is not required, but clear intonation, correct pronunciation and distinct speech. Let everyone take time to cultivate the voice, so that God’s praise can be sung in clear, gentle tones.«
The Human Voice as a Sacred Instrument
»There is something uniquely holy in the human voice. Its harmony and its subdued, heaven‑inspired pathos surpass any musical instrument. Vocal music is one of God’s gifts to humanity, an instrument that cannot be surpassed or equated when God’s love fills the soul. Singing with spirit and understanding is also a great enrichment for devotional services in the house of God.«
No Theatrical Elements in Worship
»Singing in a religious gathering is as much worship of God as speaking, and any odd or flamboyant manner that is cultivated draws people’s attention and destroys the serious, solemn impression that should be the result of holy music. All strange and eccentric singing impairs the seriousness and holiness of the religious service.«
Gentle Melody Instead of Strenuous Effort
»This physical exertion and the harsh, loud voice make no melody for those who hear on earth, nor for those who listen in heaven. This singing is faulty and not acceptable to God as a perfect, relaxed, sweet succession of sounds. There are no such performances among the angels, as I have sometimes seen in our meetings. Such strained notes and gesticulations are not shown in the angelic choir. The singing does not entice the ear. It is gentle and melodic and comes without the great effort I have observed. It is not forced or tense; the physical exercise is required.«
Instrumental Music and Congregational Singing
»In the meetings held, a selected number should take part in the singing service. And the singing should be accompanied by artfully handled musical instruments. We must not oppose the use of instrumental music in our work. This part of the service should be carried out carefully, for it is the praise of God in song.«
The Whole Congregation Should Sing
»The singing should not always be performed by a few. As often as possible the whole congregation should sing.«
- Ellen White on secular music in worship
- Voice training and singing according to Ellen White
- Ellen White music and worship
Original Sources (English)
Stephan Krol
Founder of EGW Vision
Why I built EGW Vision
Hello, I am Stephan Krol. I started this Ellen White website to make the writings of Ellen G. White and the Adventist pioneers easier to access for everyone.
EGW Vision helps you find topics, statements, and quotes faster, especially when many original sources are not yet fully available in your language. The tool searches semantically, groups relevant content by topic, and presents matching results as clearly as possible in your language.
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