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Music pervaded all of the Tabernacle programs and the staff included talented hymn writers, composers, singers and musicians.

Rader himself was the author of dozens of hymns, of which the best known today is probably "Only Believe." He, like the founder of the Salvation Army William Booth, often took popular songs and replaced their old lyrics with Christian ones about Jesus and living the Christian life. Almost all of his major assistants were also talented musicians and singers, especially Merrill Dunlop, who was with him from the beginning and stayed with the Tabernacle after Rader left. Dunlop not only played the piano and led various choirs and musical groups, but also led and organized children's clubs and played a major part in the radio ministry.

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