He was there all the time….
This was the theme of the message brought by Major John Martin to a recent Songster rehearsal.
Major John Martin
It has become a feature, introduced by Songster Leader Adrian Horwood, for guest conductors and spiritual leaders to be invited to rehearsal from time to time to provide interest and inspiration for the group. On these occasions the rehearsal is usually opened up to all who may wish to attend and enjoy the fellowship.
Adrian Horwood
Recently Major John Martin, Director for Personnel at The Salvation Army’s London Central Divisional Headquarters, was such a guest. John is also the Songster Laeader at the Regent Hall Corps in Oxford Street, London, and a member of the Territorial Music Council, whose role includes making decisions about what music is suitable for publication by The Salvation Army.
In the pictures below John is seen conductiong the group in rehearsal, the chosen song being a new and unpublished work entitled ‘He was there all the time’ the music for which was written by himself only a few days prior to his visit and still requires the ‘final touches’ to be added. The words have been provided by Commissioner Keith Banks in memory of his wife Pauline.
Following refreshments, an enjoyable feature of these evenings, Major Martin spoke to the group about some of his amazing experiences as a Salvation Army Officer and gave us a little insight into how the song rehearsad had been inspired and written. He said that the view of mountains, from Pauline’s hospital window, though sometimes obscured by mist and rain, had inspired her confidence that God had been with her all the time throughout her life and her illness. He asked us to consider where we each were on our own spiritual journey and reminded us that we all need each other for our common ministry on our own personal journey.
Reminding us of our history (Chatham Corps was opened in 1873 as a Christian Mission Station) John focussed our attention on the many people who have entered our buildings since that time and who have been helped and encouraged by finding that they ‘are not alone’.