Singing to Salvation: Old Sinner Converted

"An old inn keeper in England, who had often swore that he would never attend church, heard of the choice music, and of the crowds attracted by it, and so resolved, one Sunday afternoon, to go and hear the singing, but not to hear one word of the sermon.

The church was six miles distant, and as it was a hot summer day, and he a corpulent man, he came in with the sweat pouring down on every side, and with difficulty crowded into a narrow pew.

He listened with rapt attention to the singing of the first hymns, but then leaned his elbows on the back of the next pew, and put his two fore-fingers in his ears, so as not to hear one word of the sermon that followed.
He seemed well fortified from the darts of truth, until a little tricky fly came flying along, and lit on his red carbuncled nose, and stung it so that in self-defense, he was compelled to take one of his hands to knock off the naughty fly, when to his surprise the words of the preacher came ringing in the unstopped ear. “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.”
They sounded like a clap of thunder in the clear sky. He opened both ears, and was very much impressed by the words that followed.
That day was the beginning of days to him: a change was produced upon him which could not but be noticed by all his former companions. He never from that day returned to any of his former practices, nor ever afterwards was he seen in liquor, nor heard to swear. He became truly serious, and for many years went, all weathers, six miles to church where he first received the knowledge of Divine things.
After about eighteen years faithful and close walk with God, he died rejoicing in the hope of the glory of God."

The above passage is from the "Illustrated History of Hymns and Their Authors," published in 1875, page 531.

Colossians 3:16

Melody Publications’ focus is to reawaken the melody of truth in believers' hearts and minds at home and abroad. Our prayer is that our work would aid churches and families as they sing "Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual Songs" in praise and worship to our God.

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