THE GREATEST NEWS.... EVER HEARD ON THIS EARTH
"RECONCILIATION" by Lloyd Pfautsch.....from 2 Corinthians 5: 17-19. "Therefore if any man be in Christ he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ....and hath given unto us the ministry of reconciliation...To wit that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself…."
The year was 1962 and I was Church Music Secretary for Baptist Convention of New Mexico. I proposed to the music ministers of NM and others that we start a "music camp," high up in the Manzano Mountains, SE of Albuquerque at the Inlow Youth Camp.
We were gifted 200 brand new 1957 Baptist Hymnals (1957 Ed.) to replace vintage "Precious Hymns," which were falling apart. We bought two beautiful Hamilton Studio pianos, one for the tabernacle (a rough, rustic, semi-open building) and for winter storage we had sheet metal "cases" made for rolling the pianos into---thus avoiding mice nests.
We were gifted 200 brand new 1957 Baptist Hymnals (1957 Ed.) to replace vintage "Precious Hymns," which were falling apart. We bought two beautiful Hamilton Studio pianos, one for the tabernacle (a rough, rustic, semi-open building) and for winter storage we had sheet metal "cases" made for rolling the pianos into---thus avoiding mice nests.
Each year we invited the best choral conductors in the SBC---R. Paul Green, James Cram, James Woodward, Dr. Euell Porter, Paul Bobbitt, Jack Kay, and others.
This was no SAB deal for the NM kids--- when these men selected the music, it was as if it were for college choirs! I can't remember WHICH director it was who one year chose one of the most powerful choral pieces I've ever heard---"RECONCILIATION."
This was no SAB deal for the NM kids--- when these men selected the music, it was as if it were for college choirs! I can't remember WHICH director it was who one year chose one of the most powerful choral pieces I've ever heard---"RECONCILIATION."
At first I was dubious for it contained a considerable amount of antiphonal choral chanting. A Friday morning concert in that open tabernacle, with great acoustics, was scheduled and we worked hard all week on the chanting, as well as eight or nine other octavos.
The time came, and visitors came...the final concert: From three different directions, chanting: "Therefore, if any man be in Christ- he is a new creature"....and back and forth went the chant---"behold if any man be in Christ he is.....”
AND SUDDENLY FROM AFAR OFF----way back in the old raw-wood tabernacle...wafting on that cool mountain air...came the bright clear notes of a TRUMPET...as if heralding the GREATEST NEWS EVER HEARD ON THIS EARTH..."TA-TAH-TAH...TA-TAH-TAT...TA TA TAH" and then all 225 NM kids, with the small orchestra playing, sang, majestically and broadly: "GOD WAS IN CHRIST....RECONCILING THE WORLD....RECONCILING THE WORLD....TO HIMSELF!!!!!!!!!!!"
The time came, and visitors came...the final concert: From three different directions, chanting: "Therefore, if any man be in Christ- he is a new creature"....and back and forth went the chant---"behold if any man be in Christ he is.....”
AND SUDDENLY FROM AFAR OFF----way back in the old raw-wood tabernacle...wafting on that cool mountain air...came the bright clear notes of a TRUMPET...as if heralding the GREATEST NEWS EVER HEARD ON THIS EARTH..."TA-TAH-TAH...TA-TAH-TAT...TA TA TAH" and then all 225 NM kids, with the small orchestra playing, sang, majestically and broadly: "GOD WAS IN CHRIST....RECONCILING THE WORLD....RECONCILING THE WORLD....TO HIMSELF!!!!!!!!!!!"
I like to think that that unforgettable chord is yet reverberating across the mountain tops of the world, and yea, even throughout the Cosmos, "TO HIMSELF." Amen and amen.
---30---MIL'S PLACE---400th POST
BY MIL, 9-30-14
The power of His Presence is like no other. When experienced through music, His power fills our inmost beings with wonder,reverence, and joy. Thank you for sharing a mountaintop memory.
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