“Music is the idol which many professed Sabbath-keeping Christians worship.  Satan has no objection to music, if he can make that a channel through which to gain access to the minds of the youth.  Anything will suit his purpose that will divert the mind from God, and engage the time which should be devoted to His service.  1T:506; MYP:295.

 

“No one who has an indwelling Saviour will dishonor Him before others by producing strains from a musical instrument which call the mind from God and Heaven to light and trifling things.”  1T:510.

 

“The melody of song, poured forth from many hearts in clear, distinct utterance, is one of God’s instrumentalities in the work of saving souls.”  5T:492.

 

“The melody of song, poured forth from many hearts in clear, distinct utterance, is one of God’s instrumentalities in the work of saving souls.”  5T:493; EVA:496.

 

“The righteous dead will come forth from their graves, and those who are alive will be caught up with them to meet the Lord in the air.  They will hear the voice of Jesus, sweeter than any music that ever fell on mortal ear, saying to them,  Your warfare is accomplished.”  AA:34.

 

“His [Christ’s] voice is like the music of many waters.  His countenance shines as the sun.”  AA:582.

 

“[407] I feel alarmed as I witness everywhere the frivolity of young men and young women who profess to believe the truth.  God does not seem to be in their thoughts.  Their minds are filled with nonsense.  Their conversation is only empty, vain talk.  They have a keen ear for music, and Satan knows what organs to excite to animate, engross, and charm the mind so that Christ is not desired.  The spiritual longings of the soul for Divine knowledge, for a growth in grace, are wanting.

 

“I was shown that the youth must take a higher stand and make the Word of God the man of their counsel and their guide.  Solemn responsibilities rest upon the young, [408] which they lightly regard.  The introduction of music into their homes, instead of inciting to holiness and spirituality, has been the means of diverting their minds from the truth.  Frivolous songs and the popular sheet music of the day seem congenial to their taste.  The instruments of music have taken time which should have been devoted to prayer.  Music, when not abused, is a great blessing; but when put to a wrong use, it is a terrible curse.  It excites, but does not impart that strength and courage which the Christian can find only at the throne of grace while humbly making known His wants and, with strong cries and tears, pleading for Heavenly strength to be fortified against the powerful temptations of the evil one.”  AH:407-408.

 

“We can but be cheerful as we listen to the music of the happy birds and feast our eyes upon flourishing fields and gardens.  We should invite our minds to be interested in all the glorious things God has provided for us with a liberal hand.  And in reflecting upon these rich tokens of His love and care, we may forget infirmities, be cheerful, and make melody in our hearts unto the Lord.”  AH:510.3.

 

“A view of one such company was presented to me, where were assembled those who profess to believe the truth.  One was seated at the instrument of music, and such songs were poured forth as made the watching angels weep.  There was mirth, there was coarse laughter, there was abundance of enthusiasm and a kind of inspiration; but the joy was such as Satan only is able to create.  This is an enthusiasm and infatuation of which all who love God will be ashamed.  It prepares the participants for unholy thought and action.”  AH:514.

 

“any of the amusements popular in the world today, even with those who claim to be Christians, tend to the same end as did those of the heathen.  There are indeed few among them that Satan does not turn to account in destroying souls.  Through the drama he has worked for ages to excite passion and glorify vice.  The opera, with its fascinating display and bewildering music, the masquerade, the dance, the card table, Satan employs to break down the barriers of principle and open the door to sensual indulgence.  In every gathering for pleasure where pride is fostered or appetite indulged, where one is led to forget God and lose sight of eternal interests, there Satan is binding his chains about the soul.”  AH:515.3.

 

“The music and dancing in joyful praise to God at the removal of the Ark had not the faintest resemblance to the dissipation of modern dancing.  The one tended to the remembrance of God and exalted His Holy Name.  The other is a device of Satan to cause men to forget God and to dishonor Him.”  AH:517.1.

 

“[46] Children should be encouraged to search out in nature the objects that illustrate Bible teachings, and to trace in the Bible the similitudes drawn from nature.  They should search out, both in nature and in Holy Writ, every object representing Christ, and those also that He employed in illustrating truth.  Thus may they learn to see Him in tree [47] and vine, in lily and rose, in sun and star.  They may learn to hear His voice in the song of birds, in the sighing of the trees, in the rolling thunder, and in the music of the sea.  And every object in nature will repeat to them His precious lessons.”  CG:46-47.

 

“The history of the songs of the Bible is full of suggestion as to the uses and benefits of music and song.  Music is often perverted to serve purposes of evil, and it thus becomes one of the most alluring agencies of temptation.  But, rightly employed, it is a precious gift of God, designed to uplift the thoughts to high and noble themes, to inspire and elevate the soul.”  CG:523.1.

 

“Moses directed the Israelites to set the Words of the Law to music.  While the older children played on instruments, the younger ones marched, singing in concert the song of God’s Commandments.  In later years they retained in their minds the Words of the Law which they learned during childhood.

 

“If it was essential for Moses to embody the Commandments in sacred song, so that as they marched in the wilderness, the children could learn to sing the Law verse by verse, how essential it is at this time to teach our children God’s Word!  Let us come up to the help of the Lord, instructing our children to keep the Commandments to the letter.  Let us do everything in our power to make music in our homes, that God may come in.”  CG:524.

 

“The appointed day came, and at the sound of entrancing music the vast company ‘fell down and worshipped the golden image.’  But the three Hebrew youth, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (we have no record of Daniel’s being present), did not dishonor the God of Heaven by paying homage to this idol.”  CTr:177.4.

 

“And at last you will see the King in His beauty; you will behold His matchless charms and, touching the golden harp, fill Heaven with rich music and songs to the Lamb.”  (Manuscript 97, 1906); CTr:214.8.

 

“Look in imagination at the vast multitudes worshiping at Satan’s altar.  Listen to the music, to the language -- called higher education.  But what has God written upon it?  Mystery of iniquity.”  CTr:349.4.

 

“The Commandments and promises of the Lord were set to music, and all along the journey these were sung by the pilgrim travelers.”  COL:299.

 

“In ancient times, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses with his meekness and wisdom, and Joshua with his varied capabilities, were all enlisted in God’s service.  The music of Miriam, the courage and piety of Deborah, the filial affection of Ruth, the obedience and faithfulness of Samuel, the stern fidelity of Elijah, the softening, subduing influence of Elisha -- all were needed.”  COL:301.1.

 

“[364] Let none suppose that they can live a life of selfishness, and then, having served their own interests, enter into the joy of their Lord.  In the joy of unselfish love they could not participate.  They would not be fitted for the Heavenly [365] courts.  They could not appreciate the pure atmosphere of love that pervades Heaven.  The voices of the angels and the music of their harps would not satisfy them.  To their minds the science of Heaven would be as an enigma.”  COL:364-365.

 

“Often He [Jesus] expressed the gladness of His heart by singing psalms and Heavenly songs.  Often the dwellers in Nazareth heard His voice raised in praise and thanksgiving to God.  He held communion with Heaven in song; and as His companions complained of weariness from labor, they were cheered by the sweet melody from His lips.  His praise seemed to banish the evil angels, and, like incense, fill the place with fragrance.  The minds of His hearers were carried away from their earthly exile, to the Heavenly home.”  DA:73.3.

 

“There are few means more effective for fixing His Words in the memory than repeating them in song.”  Ed:167; Ev:496; FLB:273; LDE:86; MYP:291; ML:90; VSS:407; YI, March 29, 1904.

 

“Music is acceptable to God only when the heart is sanctified and made soft and holy by its facilities.  But many who delight in music know nothing of making melody in their hearts to the Lord.  Their heart is gone ‘after their idols.’ ”  Letter 198, 1899; EVA:512.

 

“The long-drawn-out notes and the peculiar sounds common in operatic singing are not pleasing to the angels.  They delight to hear the simple songs of praise sung in a natural tone.  The songs in which every word is uttered clearly, in a musical tone, are the songs that they join us in singing.  They take up the refrain that is sung from the heart with the spirit and the understanding.”  Manuscript 91, 1903; EVA:510.

 

“Music was made to serve a holy purpose, to lift the thoughts to that which is pure, noble, and elevating, and to awaken in the soul devotion and gratitude to God.  What a contrast between the ancient custom and the uses to which music is now too often devoted!  How many employ this gift to exalt self, instead of using it to Glorify God!  A love for music leads the unwary to unite with world lovers in pleasure gatherings where God has forbidden His children to go.  Thus that which is a great blessing when rightly used, becomes one of the most successful agencies by which Satan allures the mind from duty and from the contemplation of eternal things. [PP:594.2]

 

“Music forms a part of God’s worship in the courts above, and we should endeavor, in our songs of praise, to approach as nearly as possible to the harmony of the Heavenly choirs.  The proper training of the voice is an important feature in education and should not be neglected.  Singing, as a part of religious service, is as much an act of worship as is prayer.  The heart must feel the spirit of the song to give it right expression.”  PP:594.2-3.

 

“Music, when turned to a good account, is a blessing.  When abused, it leads the unconsecrated to pride, vanity, and folly, and becomes one of Satan’s most attractive agencies to ensnare souls.  When music is allowed to take the place of devotion and prayer, it is a terrible curse.”  RH, March 11, 1880.

 

“Music is often perverted to serve purposes of evil, and it thus becomes one of the most alluring agencies of temptation.  But rightly employed, it is a precious gift of God, designed to uplift the thoughts to high and noble themes, to inspire and elevate the soul. . . As a part of religious service, singing is as much an act of worship as is prayer.”  YI: 590.

 

AND MANY MORE.