Recently, a book was published.
Entitled, The Band That Played
On, the book asks the question, "Why did the Titanic's band keep
playing, while the ship went down?" It's a good question. Since the band
had been contracted by a talent agency and was not employed by the
Titanic's owners, even the doomed ship's captain couldn't have ordered
them to make music to calm troubled hearts.
So, why did they keep
playing? Why didn't they try to save their lives?
After extensive
research the author concludes the band acted heroically because of the
Christian character of the band's leader: Wallace Hartley. Mr. Hartley
was a faithful church attendee who had recently become engaged to a
Christian girl. They were to be married after he had made a number of
Atlantic crossings on the Titanic.
Some time before, when one of
his friends had asked him, "What would you do if you were ever on a ship
which was sinking?" Mr. Hartley had replied, "I don't think I would do
better than play 'Oh God Our Help in Ages Past' or 'Nearer, My God, to
Thee'."
In all likelihood, when Mr. Hartley found the ship was
going down, he called together his fellow musicians and encouraged them
to begin their concert. The Christian songs they played that night
brought peace to the dying and hope to those who survived.
For
doing what he did, I think Wallace Hartley is a hero of faith.
You probably are a hero too. I say that because many Christians don't
know how they are going to act, how their faith will show itself, until
the time of testing comes.
It is then by the power of the Holy
Spirit that they can face those trials and make a witness that will
touch others. That's what Wallace Hartley did. It's what you will
probably do too. To that end, I encourage you to ponder how, at special
times and circumstances, your words and actions might glorify the
Savior, who gave His life to win your salvation.
THE PRAYER: Dear
Lord, use my words and actions to point lost and frightened souls toward
the Savior, who alone can give us peace, forgiveness and salvation. In
Jesus' Name. Amen.
Pastor Ken Klaus
Lutheran Hour Ministries All rights reserved;
not to be duplicated without permission.
