The late Dr. Peter Marshall once selected for use in a church service the familiar hymn of consecration, “Take My Life and Let It Be.” He requested the congregation to give particular thought to the words:
“Take my silver and my gold,
Not a mite would I withhold.”
Exacting the practical sense of the words “not a mite would I withhold,” he asked that all who could not sing this line with literal sincerity, refrain from singing it at all.
The effect was a dramatic commentary on the glib, thoughtless manner in which, all too often, we sing our hymns. Hundreds of voices, with organ accompaniment, sang vigorously up to the designated point. Then, suddenly, there was only the sound of the organ music. Not a single voice ventured to so challenging a height!