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TOPIC: Gordon, Samuel Dickey - Quiet Talks on Home Ideals (Other Topics in this Collection)
SUBJECT: 05. God's Tuning-forks.
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God's Tuning-forks.
Ideals are God's tuning-forks to keep the sweet music of life up to concert pitch. Tuning-forks are valuable in music because they are so largely free from the secondary, or partial tones. And they are independent, too, of the ordinary changes of temperature. The tuning-fork needs to be given a sharp blow to bring out the tone. The standard of musical tone commonly known as "concert pitch" is also commonly known among musicians as "high pitch," giving the greatest number of vibrations in a second of time of any of the accepted standards. It is rather suggestive, in this connection, to recall that the standard of the French Academy, known as "French pitch," is also commonly known as "low pitch"; and that "classical pitch" and "philosophical pitch," notwithstanding their attractive names, are lower than the "concert pitch" standard.
We all need spirit tuning-forks, that can be depended upon to give out the true, full, primary tone, when brought into sharp contact with the difficulties of common life; and that will do it regardless of the weather that may chance to prevail, storm and clear alike, gray and blue. And we need forks that are keyed up to God's concert pitch.
It was of unfailing interest in early years, in the old Covenanter Church in Philadelphia, to watch the precentor "raise the tune." He always took out his tuning-fork, gave it a quick blow, held it quietly to his ear for a few moments while the children watched breathlessly, and then started the singing. The congregation always waited until he got the pitch and began the tune. Although he had been leading the singing every Sabbath for many years, he never depended on his skill or experience, but got a fresh start by the fork every time.
The great Master-musician has given every man a tuning-fork, keyed to concert pitch, though so many are not used. The few great simple ideals of true life are within every human heart; though so often (most often?) hidden away, shoved into dark corners, and covered up by the rubbish of life. God's ideals are meant to keep our lives full of sweet harmony; and they will, too, if allowed to. In the inner chamber of the soul can be heard distinctly the clear sound of the true key, an exquisite "sound of gentle stillness," to which all the music of life should be set and kept.
But we need to have our inner ears trained in the quiet time, daily, off alone with the Master-musician, with His Book at hand to correct the inaccuracies of our hearing. Then will come the keenness of ear that will keep us from "flatting"; or at least, will make us know when we do "flat"; and will make the sound so disagreeably jarring as to make us reach out eagerly for the true pitch, with a bit of prayer to the Master of the music for His help.