Ellen White provided clear and serious counsel regarding music, drums, and dancing, particularly warning against their misuse in worship and entertainment. She specifically addressed drums and dancing in the context of fanatical worship, stating: "There will be shouting, with drums, music, and dancing. The senses of rational beings will become so confused that they cannot be trusted to make right decisions. And this is called the moving of the Holy Spirit" (
5MR 107.3). This warning came in reference to the "Holy Flesh" movement of 1900-1901, which she saw as a preview of deceptions that would occur near the close of probation. **The Distinction Between Sacred and Worldly Music** Ellen White drew a sharp contrast between music that honors God and music that serves as Satan's tool. She explained that David's dancing before 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" (
CCh 164.2). She applied a decisive test for evaluating entertainment: "Amusements that have a tendency to weaken the love for sacred things and lessen our joy in the service of God are not to be sought by Christians" (
CCh 164.2).
Modern dancing, she noted, is associated with folly and midnight revelingwhere health and morals are sacrificed to pleasureand where "God is not an object of thought and reverence" (
CCh 164.2). **Music as Both Blessing and Curse** Ellen White recognized music's dual potential. She acknowledged that "music, when not abused, is a great blessing; but when put to a wrong use, it is a terrible curse" (
CCh 172.4). She even encouraged the use of music in worship, recounting how Israel's armies went into battle singing the high praises of Godand noting, "We need to have more music and less groaning" (
SpTB05 42.4). However, she warned that in many homes, "the introduction of music, 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" (
CCh 172.4).
She observed that musical instruments "have taken time which should have been devoted to prayer" (
CCh 172.4), showing how even good things can become snares when they replace spiritual priorities. **The Spiritual Danger** Ellen White's concern was not merely about style or preference, but about spiritual deception and the weakening of discernment. She warned that certain uses of music would cause the senses of rational beingsto "become so confused that they cannot be trusted to make right decisions" (
PaM 176.5). She saw Satan as a skillful charmer, luring them on to perditionthrough the misuse of music (
CCh 172.4). The key principle throughout her counsel is that music and any form of expression in worship should lead people to remember God, exalt His name, and strengthen their spiritual life—not confuse their senses, weaken their love for sacred things, or serve as entertainment that dishonors God. --- 💡 **You might also want to explore:**
• What did Ellen White say about appropriate music for worship services?
• How did she counsel regarding the use of instruments in church?
• What principles did she give for evaluating entertainment and amusements?
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