PREFACE.
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psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. Hymns for Baptism and the Lord's Supper might be profitably multiplied. The Christian's hope of the second advent of his Lord might be brought with much more advantage into the devout singing of the Church. Revivals of grace in churches have been too much disregarded.
THE SCRIPTURES ARE THE INEXHAUSTIBLE TREASURES from which every really valuable hymn must be taken. If hymns speak not according to God's word, we may say of them, as of every other pretence to divine instruction, it is because there is no light in them. The Father's sovereignty and love, the Saviour's grace and glory, the Spirit's light and energy, brought into every truth and every duty, every experience and every blessing, every work of creation, providence, and grace, form unsearchable riches for profitable hymns; and thus all the powers and gifts which God bestows on man may be most happily employed for the highest good of others.
II.- REMARKS ON THE DUTY, PRIVILEGE, AND PRACTICE OF SINGING.
THE DUTY OF SINGING praises and hymns to God is very clearly expressed in the Scriptures. It is a reasonable duty ( Rev. iv. I1, Ps. cxlvii. 1). It is plainly and often commanded ( Isa. xii. 4, 5, xxxv. 10, and the Psalms throughout). It is one end of our very calling as Christians( 1 Pet. ii. 9, 1 Cor. xiv. 15), and it is a duty in which we hope to spend a happy eternity( Ps. cxlvi. 2, Rev. v. 9).
It is a duty at all times,( 1 Thess. v. 18), in public worship, in the social circle, and in private. Let the voice of rejoicing and salvation be in the tabernacles of the righteous( Ps. cx viii. 15). The practice of singing in family worship is heartily recommended, from experience that difficulties in it may be overcome, and many blessings are connected with it.
THE PRIVILEGE OF SINGING is as great as the duty is clear. It tends to store the memory with the precious truths of God's word, and thus assists in maintaining spirituality of mind and constant communion with our God. It greatly helps the poor to acquire the knowledge of the things of Christ. It furnishes constant subjects of devout meditation. The heart is prepared for and supported under trials, and many a vital and precious truth is received and expressed in
mn, which the unhealthy moral atmosphere of the world would otherwise quench and suppress. What holy feelings, what heavenly desires, what sublime joys, what nearness to God and all holy things, have experienced Christians thus enjoyed! They can enter into the language of him who, after one of his beautiful Psalms, says I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live, I will sing praise unto my God while I have my being. My meditation of him shall be sweet, I will be glad in the Lord. Singing is the suitable expression of holy joy( Ps. xxxiii. 1, 2 Chron. v. 13). It realizes God's presence ( Ps. xxii. 3. St. James, v. 13), and edifies our fellow Christians ( Col. iii. 16). We in it glorify God( Ps. 1. 23), and enjoy the communion of saints( Ephes. v. 19).
THE PRACTICE OF THIS DUTY by the servants of God has been constant. The Church of God under the Old Testament abounded in this. Our Saviour himself sung a hymn after instituting his supper( Matt. xxvi. 30). Paul and Šilas A 3