THE ERRONEOUSNESS IN THE NEWLY REVIEWED OF CCC HYMNS BOOK
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Celestial Church of Christ, is embodied with a lot of standards as desired by God giving; Celestial hymns has influence in the league of Churches in the world; because the hymns control the textual of logogenic composition with inspiration line of arrangement ( Akinleye 2008).
Prof. Nketia (2009) agreed that Africa styles of music had monopoly the origin of Africa Church music through it melodic and harmony tone of high octave beyond the normal standardization of western church music, while Olaosebikan (2016) said that there was an initial point of departure and a new meeting point between the Orthodox and African religious musical tradition.
One of the major facts about Celestial Church of Christ is our HYMNS BOOK. The hymns book holds a philosophical and spiritual knowledge and mind of the Church, our tents and doctrines in line with God’s purpose for the Church. This insight is affirmed in the depth of our Hymns Book as a bridge linking the church with the scriptures; because God gave us those hymns not individual composition.
Papa Oshoffa carefully followed the instructions given to him about the Church, evidenced in his leadership after 36 years of his demise. The history of Celestial Church Hymns Book is not complete without acknowledging the contributions of Late Pastor Ajose; who translated the Hymns Book from Egun Language to Yourba Language. While Late Pastor A. A. Bada being the first Choirmaster in Celestial Church when introduced the classification of the Hymns Book into various sections which has helped different parishes to pick hymns according to the Bible lessons during services.
It is an interesting fact that Celestial hymns were not composed by musicologist nor music expert(s). Rather by Prophet/Prophetess, infant, including Papa Oshoffa and some of his wives as the scope of the Church was beyond the imagination of Papa Oshoffa. While all the hymns were given to us when Prophet/Prophetess were in trance. The Church remain the only Church in the world that received her hymns through different individuals while in trance.
According to Edith Oshoffa in her book titled S.B.J OSHOFFA; The Enigmatic Spiritual Leader of Our Time. She explained some of the genesis of some of our hymns. She mentioned some of the individuals that composed the hymns, like-
1) Woli Sata- sang Eyin ara ninu kristi, hymn no- 762 the Church first hymn.
2) Woli Yanga- sang hymn no- 232 and hymn no- 694.
3) Mamulawoe- sang hymn no- 901.
4) Christine Oshoffa- sang hymn no- 406, 229,384.
5) Marie Zevunu’s daughter- sang hymn no- 229.
6) Dora Oshoffa & Pa Abiassi- sang hymn no- 377.
7) Emmanuel Gouthon- sang hymn no- 2, hymn no- 3.
8) Alice Bada, one of Baba Bada’s wives- sang hymn no- 576
9) Woli Gasper- sang hymn no- 378
10) H/E Omeben- sang – Emi mimo, emi mino sokale(2ce) sokale s’arin wa.
11) Pa Joseph Awhangonou- sang hymn no- 330
12) Jules Bodjrenou sang- Baba Palase la torun wa.
13) Agnes- sang- E sin, e sin oluwa
14) Pa Goodwill Abiassi- Sang hymn no- 261, 731,205, 238.
15) Pa Oshoffa- sang hymn no- 460, hymn 4, and many more…
However, at the Annual Convention of Celestial Church of Christ Imeko 2019. A reviewed Hymns Book was introduced to members. The new reviewed hymns consist of all pervious hymns, additional hymns and some rearranged ( hymns no, classification, musical sofas, etc)
The new reviewed Hymns Book has spent (13) months in circulation, with little attraction of usage from members of the Church. The importance of the Hymns Book to the Church is beyond academic settings of enthno-musicology point of view or the standard of hymn singing in Christian circle. Before the rearrangement of the Hymns Book, headed by Baba Banjo. The pervious Hymns Book was composed by Prophet/Prophetess in trance, who delivered these messages through singing.
The new reviewed Hymns Book committee needs to urgently address some questions concerning the new reviewed Hymns Book after one year in circulation :-
1) WHO ARE THE PROPHET/PROPHETESS (NAMES, WHEN,WHERE) THAT WENT ON TRANCE TO COMPOSE THE ADDITIONAL HYMNS.
2) IF BABA ADETRIAN, THE MUSIC DIRECTION OF CCC CENTRAL CHOIR; BEING A FORMER SENIOR LECTURE AT MUSIC DEPARTMENT, POLYTECHNIC OF IBADAN, A MEMBER OF NIGERIA MUSICOLOGY ASSOCIATION (NMA) AND A MEMBER OF THE REVIEW COMMITTEE WANTS TO MAKE CELESTIAL HYMNS BOOK TO MEET THE STANDARD OF MUSICOLOGY’S VIEW ON HYMNS SINGING; WHY IS THE NEW HYMNS BOOK NOT SCORED IN THE COMMON (4) PART HARMONY (SATB) LIKE OTHER ORTHODOX HYMNS BOOK.
3) WHY WAS PROFESSOR FESUEN, A CELESTIAL MEMBER, AND A PROFESSOR OF MUSIC AT LAGOS STATE UNIVERSITY, NOT A MEMBER OF THE REVIEW COMMITTEE
4) THE INTRODUCTION OF BROAD OF TRUSTEES MEMBER IN THE NEW REVIEWED HYMNS BOOK WILL CAUSE MORE DIVIDE IN THE CHURCH THAN THE UNITY THE CHURCH NEEDS TO DEVELOP.
Because various faction’s in Celestial will not accept the reviewed Hymn Book partly because of the pictures involved.
We need to tell each other thing’s that we know to be true, Celestial Church is not a man made Church, the philosophy that guides this Church must and should be respected always.
The Celestial Church authority can continue to introduce different colourations for ranks in the Church, as well continue to turn blind eyes to issues that affect the unity of our church; but trying to change God’s instructions through our hymns should be condemned. Trying to introduce individual perspective as against the lay down foundation of God’s works should stop.
Akinleye Emmanuel Akinade
B.A (Music) Ife, M.A (Music) Ife
Sound Engineer; POA Classic Studio
Ibadan.
