but the eloquence of the life speaks to the whole community, makes a lasting impression, and extorts respect from the unbelievers and the ungodly. What a harvest for the cause of pure and undefiled religion (dear to us all) should we reap, if every man, woman, and child, who call themselves Christians, spent their strength in cultivating the virtues of the Gospel,-if they let their light so shine, that an unbelieving world would be constrained to say, see how these Christians fear GOD,—see how they love one another, see how they keep,the body in temperance, soberness, and chastity. Would they not almost unavoidably add, "Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his." "Be thou an example of the believers in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity, so shalt thou, through CHRIST, (of the acceptance of whom by thee these are the evidences,) save thyself and them that see thee." Here is scope,-wide scope for change. Here let old things pass away, and all things become new. All of us may be wiser, better, happier, and more diligent in searching for and walking in the "old paths." But the paths need not be changed. The regulations of our excellent Church need not be changed, at least not until we have made a full and fair experiment, and found them deficient or otherwise faulty. "And now to God the Father," &c.

WE call the attention of our friends and fellow Churchmen to the following, as we conceive a due observance of its principles of the highest consideration.-ED.

IMPORTANCE OF CULTIVATING SACRED MUSIC, AND PRACTISING IT IN THE HOUSE OF GOD.

No one who is at all familiar with the Scriptures, can doubt that the celebration of God's praise has always made part of public worship. The design of sacred music of course is nothing less than to awaken devotional feelings in the heart, while it serves as an expression of those feelings as they are directed to the heart-searching GoD. Most persons are

capable of being wrought upon, and many in a high degree, by this peculiar exercise of the human voice; and though there may be a glow of animal feeling produced by it without any thing like genuine devotion, yet in a mind piously disposed, it cannot be doubted that it is eminently fitted to awaken and cherish a devotional spirit. The effect must, of course, be measured, in some degree, by the original capability of the mind to receive impressions from this source; but there are few minds so constituted that the impressions made by devotional sentiments will not be heightened by their being appropriately expressed in music. If such be the design of this part of public worship, then it follows not only that it is of great importance that sacred music should be cultivated, but that that is the best style of music which is best adapted to cherish true devotion. That it should be conducted with propriety and with taste, certainly does not admit of question; because, otherwise, instead of being a help to devotion by falling in with an original current of feeling in the human breast, it becomes a hinderance to it by giving a shock to some of our finest sensibilities. There are indeed a few minds constituted in such a manner as to be in a good degree proof against the most exquisite melody on the one hand, and the most grating discord on the other; but in the great majority of instances, the devotions of the Christian will in the one case be greatly embarrassed, in the other, greatly assisted.

But while this part of public devotion ought to be performed with correct taste, and if you please, with a measure of elegance, it ought to be in a style of Christian simplicity. If the minister who should lead in the public prayers should assume the manner of an actor, and should seem to be praying merely to gratify the taste or amuse the fancy of a portion of his hearers, every one would regard it not only as unpardonable trifling, but downright impiety. And what better is to be said of that style of singing God's praise, which causes his praise to be forgotten, and the singing only to be thought of? GOD forbid that the Church should ever borrow any thing from the stage, no, not even the parade and fascination of its music!

We repeat, let every thing be done here in perfect simplicity! It matters little whether the devotions of Christians be hindered by awkward and discordant sounds, on the one hand, or by strains which only become the theatre, on the other: in the latter case, as truly as in the former, the decorum of Christian worship is violated.

If the preceding remarks are correct, it surely is the duty of every religious congregation to cultivate sacred music to such an extent as to secure in the best manner the design it is intended to answer as a part of divine worship; and if it is the duty of every congregation to do this, it is the duty of every individual who is endowed with the power of music to cultivate this gift, as GOD gives him opportunity. And we go further and say, that it is the duty of all who are able, to aid, from time to time, in this part of public religious service. It was for this purpose,, of celebrating his praise, that God gave them this noble faculty; and if they never use it in this way, are they not chargeable with burying at least one talent in the earth? This is a duty which every individual who is thus gifted, owes to himself, his fellow-worshippers, and his GOD. He owes it to himself, as it is not only an expression of devotional feeling, but a powerful means of exciting and cherishing it. He owes it to his fellow-worshippers, as he thereby contributes to make melody in their hearts, and to deepen the current of their devotion. He owes it to GOD, as a reasonable expression of his homage for every good gift; and as one principal means which God himself has ordained for acknowledging his goodness and celebrating his praise.

I cannot forbear to remark in this connexion, that the course to which I have here adverted, would be an important security against the decline of sacred music in any congregation, as well as the most efficient means of effecting a revival of it where it bas already declined. Let not this be a thing to be monopolized by persons of any age; but let all who have the ability regard it a privilege to render their aid. Even the tremulous voice of old age, if it does not destroy the harmony, will increase the solemnity and dignity, of this part of religious

worship. Can you conceive of a spectacle at once more delightful and more sublime, than a great congregation all engaged, so far as they are able, in celebrating God's praise; in which the old, and the middle aged, and the youth, and even the little child-we had almost said the lisping infant, are mingling their voices in a common expression of thanksgiving to God and the Lamb? Let each one feel his personal obligation on this subject and act accordingly, and this blessed, thrice blessed result would be realized.

SONG OF THE REDEEMED.

AWAKE, and sing the song

Of Moses and the Lamb!.
Wake every heart, and every tongue,
To praise the Saviour's name!

Sing of his dying love,

Sing of his rising power:

Sing how He intercedes above,
For us whose sins He bore.

Ye pilgrims on the road
To Zion's city, sing!
Rejoice ye in the Lamb of GoD,
In CHRIST the eternal King!

Soon shall we hear Him say,
"Ye blessed children, come!"
Soon will He call us hence away,
To our eternal home.

There shall our raptured tongue
His endless praise proclaim;
And sweeter voices tune the song

Of Moses and the Lamb!

Christian Psalmist.

Preached in St. Andrew's Church, Philadelphia, by appointment, before the "Philadelphia Young Men's Society,"

BY THE REV. CHAUNCEY COLTON, A. M.,

PRESIDENT OF BRISTOL COLLEGE.

Ecclesiastes xi. 9.-" Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth, and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the way of thy heart and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things GOD will bring thee into judgment.”

THE Soundest maxims of human and divine wisdom attach great importance to the period of youth and early manhood. Solomon appears to have employed his divinely-inspired and richly-furnished mind almost wholly in the service of the young. He set in order his proverbs, that he might impart to the young man knowledge and discretion. He brought down the sublimest truths to the every-day walks of life, that he might introduce wisdom into close and cherished companionship with the young, that they might hear and love her godly admonitions.

He made wisdom to utter her voice in the streets,-to stand in the top of high places,-to cry in the chief place of concourse, by the way, in the city, and at the opening of the gates, saying, Hear! for I will speak of excellent things, and the opening of my lips shall be right things. Hearken unto me, for blessed are they that keep my ways. Behold, I will

pour out my Spirit upon you, and make known my words unto you. If thou seekest for wisdom as silver, and searchest VOL. IV.-14