we should have studied its rules as opportunities may have offered, and accustomed ourselves to manage our voices, and to adapt them to the various sentiments, expressed in sacred songs.

such a manner as not to be un- | versed in the musical art-that derstood by others. The apostle, however, prefers using his understanding in these exercises to such a degree, as to assert, that he had rather speak five words with his understanding, whereby others might be edified, than ten thousand in an unknown tongue, from which he alone could receive any benefit. If, therefore, we would join in the public celebrations of the divine praises, we ought to have an understanding of the important and leading truths, expressed in sacred songs. Our minds should be steadily fixed on the subject of the song, and we should aim to have each particular idea or sentiment strongly impressed on the imagination, as well as on

the heart.

Having thus attempted to show, what it is to sing with the spirit and with the understanding also, it may be useful perhaps to bring into view a few considerations to show the obligations, which we are under to perform this part of divine worship. And,

1. Our obligations may be argued from the purposes, which sacred music is calculated to answer. One purpose, which it obviously answers, is that of calming the passions, composing the mind, and disposing it to It is necessary also, in singing softness and peace. Nothing perwith the understanding, to under- haps tends, so directly, to comstand, as far as our circumstan- pose the ruffled passions or to ces will admit, the rules of mu- affect with sensibility hard and sic, or at least the tune, to which rugged hearts, as soft and solthe sacred song is sung. He, emn music. There is no man, who requires us to serve him who has ears to hear, but what with all the heart, soul, mind and will listen to this. And its force strength, cannot be expected to has been attested even by the accept of a dull, lifeless, inaccu- most barbarous and savage narate performance, where with tions on the earth. It has drawn little exertion we might render tears from eyes, which would him something better. Nor can scarcely have been thought cawe suppose, that such an unskil-pable of weeping. It has even ful performance of this duty will in some instances almost susanswer, in any considerable de-pended the exercise of every facgree, the important purposes, for which it is designed. Instead of composing the mind, and preparing it for the exercises of devotion, it will, in many instances at least, have directly an opposite effect. To perform this part of divine worship, therefore, with the understanding; to perform it to divine acceptance; or to the edification of others, it is requisite, that we be in some measure VOL. V. No. 7.

ulty, while the enraptured hearer stood, petrified as it were, by the enchanting sound. If such be the influence of music, how well is it calculated to calm our passions; to fill the heart with softness and sensibility; and dispose it for the exercises of devotion? Another obvious purpose answered by music, is that of giving additional energy to the sentiments contained in the I i

Can we suppose, that an infinitely holy God, who detests every appearance of evil, has endowed us with such a peculiar power, merely for the purpose of fitting us to gratify a vain or wanton taste? Or must we believe, that it was given us for the purpose of glorifying himself? While, therefore, the children of this world are tuning their voices to the sensibilities of depraved human nature, let us, on the contrary, tune ours in the service of him, who gave them to us, and who has commanded, that

words, which are sung. As it tunes the heart to sensibility, and prepares it to harmonize with every soft and tender feeling, so it fits it to receive the greatest possible impression from the truths, which are sung. In this way the love of God, and the compassion of our Redeemer, impress the heart with more than usual force; while sentiments of love and gratitude, of humility and penitence flow forth in a manner peculiarly natural. If then, such be the obvious effects which music is calculated to produce, do they not strong-whatever we do, all should be ly enforce the obligations we are done to his glory. under to perform it? If it in any degree prepares us for the duties of devotion, can we expect, that God, who commands us to worship him in the best possible manner, will justify us in neglecting it? Let us then be excit-it is needless, perhaps, to direct ed not only to sing praises to our God, but also to sing them in such a manner, as to attain the end, for which they are intended. Let us sing with softness, that it may soften the heart-in a feeling manner, that it may excite feelings with solemnity, that it may make us solemn and with grace, making melody in our hearts to the Lord, that we may obtain his gracious acceptance and approbation..

3. Our obligations to perform this part of divine worship ap pear with the greatest clearness in the numerous examples and commands, which are found in the sacred oracles. On this point

the attention of the reader to particular passages, for there is no duty more frequently or clearly inculcated, than that of singing praises to our Maker. Of course, there is no duty, from which we may not as well excuse ourselves. It may further be observed, that one considerable part of the employment of the heavenly hosts is represented to consist in celebrating the praises of the great and glorious God. And can we hope to join their happy society, if we neglect to assimilate ourselves to their employments? The God whom they praise, is our God; and the favors, for which they praise him, are ours also; part

2. Our obligation to sing praises to our God may be further argued, from our being endowed with melodicus voices, and with a capacity to modulate them according to the rules of art. Our sovereign Creator has given us nothing in vain. If therefore hely by present possession, and has given us voices and skill to use them, it is doubtless for some valuable purpose. And for what purpose, we may ask, unless it be to serve and glorify himself?

partly by promise. And if they do not command both from our hearts and lips a similar service, it is obvious that we do not feel the obligations, by which our

God has bound us to himself, in any degree as they are felt by those, whose hearts are in the exercise of holy love.

In closing this dissertation, it is natural to address particularly two classes of readers:

shippers; but is it not of equal importance that you make melody in your hearts to the Lord? Can you prefer the plaudits of a fellow worm, to the approbation of your final judge? And dare you mock your Maker with the 1. Those, who accustom them-heartless sacrifice of a mere me. selves to perform this part of di- lodious voice. vine worship. You are placed in There is another class, who, a conspicuous station in the though they possess voices which house of God. You take the lead might easily be tuned to celein one important branch of divine brate their Maker's praisé, neg worship; and on your perform- lect, notwithstanding, to join the ance many important blessings sacred concert. For what purare perhaps depending. Some pose, think ye, were your voices of you, perhaps, have been so given you? Were they bestowed long accustomed to this part, upon you to remain unemploy that it has at length become a ed, Ilke a talent wrapped in a mere formal service, entered napkin? Or were they given upon with little feeling, and you for the inferior, not to say performed with little anima- baser, purpose of chanting the tion. While others of you, songs of intemperance and wanfrom the novelty of the scene, tonness? If vocal music be onc find your ambition excited, and part of divine worship, how can are stimulated ostentatiously to you be justified in your present display all the powers of harmo- neglect? If it be calculated to ny, which you can command. enliven devotion, how can you But do you sufficiently consider be excused in not throwing in in whose presence you are per- your mite? Think not to plead, forming, and to whom your that your voices will not admit praises ought in your own minds of that cultivation, which is neto be directed? Do not the care-cessary to enable you to join the lessness and sluggishness of some, and the pride and ostentation of others, too evidently pollute your services, and give us reason to fear that they are little better than abominations in the view of a heart-searching God, who commands you to worship him with humility and godly fear? Allow me then seriously to urge the importance of keep-pressed on your minds, that your ing God in view, and of entering feelingly into the sentiments expressed in the words, which you are directed to sing. It is of some importance, that you should make melody with your voices to the ears of your fellow wor

sacred choir. Some of you can now in your social circles touch the delicate sensibilities of the human heart, even with the wild, uncultivated notes of nature. And there are very few voices, which might not be made with a little cultivation to add something to this branch of divine. worship. Let it be deeply im

voices are one talent, of which your Maker at the great day will require an account. And if you continue to neglect preparing yourselves to join with others in celebrating your Maker's praises, what account can you

give? what excuse will justify | many instances, they have comso evident a breach of your Mas-menced as soon as the funeral ter's will?

EUBULUS.

On the love of the world.

HAT love of the world

obsequies of their parents have been performed. Nor has it been unfrequent that the baleful effects of such evils have continued through life.

The love of the world has often destroyed the friendship and harmony of neighborhoods. It

Twhich Paul calls idolatry, has produced that envy and strife

with them, which have been suc

is a sin which easily besets every son and daughter of the de-ceeded by confusion and every praved race of Adam. evil work. Numberless litigations have been occasioned, by the love of the world. This hath moved brother to go to law with brother, and neighbor with neighbor, which has often proved a final breach of friendship; and frequently one or both parties have been involved in poverty and disgrace.

Covetousness is mentioned by Christ, among those evil things, which proceed out of the heart of man. And unless this vile affection be subdued by divine grace, it will prove fatal to the everlasting well-being of mankind. And though true Christians are not wholly freed from a sinful love of earthly objects, while they continue in this life; yet a death wound is given to this, and to every other fleshly lust, at regeneration. For "they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh, with its affections and lusts"t

In what follows, I shall attempt to point out the destructive effects, which the love of the world has, in regard to the temporal and spiritual happiness of men, where they continue under its influence; and then set forth the only remedy for this fatal evil.

Thousands through their ardent thirst after riches, have by their excessive cares, labors and fatigues to obtain their object, ruined a good constitution, and brought themselves to an untimely end.

Men have often run those hazards to increase their wealth which have not only cost them their lives; but they have been launched into eternity in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye.

The love of the world has led men to violate their most solemn promises, and to commit those daring frauds which have involv

1. The love of the world has done great injury to the temporal interest and welfare of man-ed their honest creditors in ruin. kind.

It has frequently occasioned bitter envyings and contentions in families. Troublesome quarrels have often arisen among children of the same household, respecting their patrimony; and in

*Mark vii. 22. + Gal. v. 24.

Many have uttered palpable falsehoods, others have been guilty of the most shocking perjuries, to save, or to procure worldly gain.

This sin has prompted men to the commission of countless crimes, some of which have been of the deepest die. It has led them to the most cruel op

pression, aggravated thefts, bar- | fatal effects of this evil, as it resbarous robberies and horrid mur-pects the temporal welfare of

ders. The love of money has been the cause of almost all the blood that has been shed, from the foundation of the world, to the present period.

This has commonly enkindled those animosities, which have disposed nation to lift up sword against nation, and to learn and cultivate the fatal art of war. Millions have fallen a sacrifice to kings, and to men in power. Towns, cities and whole countries have been drenched in blood and laid in ruins, to satiate the unbounded avarice of ty

rants.

The love of filthy lucre originated the unnatural and abominable traffic, in the human species. In consequence of this, thousands of innocent Africans, have been torn from their dear relatives and their country, and have either lost their lives or have been destined to drag them out in a most miserable vassalage.

men, I shall, in the second place, consider its destructive iufluence upon their spiritual interest.

Through the depraved temper which is native in man, we may conclude that the souls of great numbers are ensnared and ruined, by the love of the world. This is abundantly taught by our Saviour. In the parable of the sower he hath shown, that the cares and lusts of sinful men often cause the word preached to prove as unproductive of any good effects, as the seed that is sown among thorns. How little spiritual benefit will persons gain, though they may set under the most enlightening and faithful preacher, throughout their whole lives, while their hearts are constantly going after their covetousness?

An avaricious spirit prevents people from that due consideration and serious reflection on their spiritual condition, which alone will lead them to a thorough reformation. It hinders them from reading or hearing the word of God attentively, and from that meditation and selfapplication, which will discover to them the badness of their spiritual state, and their need of a Saviour.

Indeed, the love of the world has reduced many a person, who was entitled to liberty by the laws of his country, to the base condition of a slave. How many through their unbounded desires after wealth, rise early, sit up late, and eat the bread of sorrows, that they may accumulate a large earthly treasure. Nay, so full of perplexing concerns are their minds, lest some of their sub-cerns. stance should be lost, that their sleep often departs from them, or they are "scared with dreams, and terrified with visions of the night."

No bond-servant ever served his master with greater rigor than many serve mammon.

2. Having briefly hinted at the

The prayers of multitudes are hindered, through their cager attention to their secular con

This prevents not a small proportion of people from praying at all, and renders others very inconstant and superficial in this duty.

Such persons may be charged as were the ancient Israelites, with robbing God; or with offering the blind and lame for sacrifice.