of what befits praise in subject, thought, and expression, still fewer verses would be given out from the pulpit. Fortunately however, some of the translators rose high above their fellows, and we have in our metrical Psalms a reserve of splendid material, archaic and uncouth at times, if you will, but dignified, fervid, and on a high level of devotion-material whose texture and tone have always been in accord with Scottish temperament. Any method which succeeds in gathering that material into a compact whole, and, for the purpose in hand, keeping all the rest out of sight, should have the effect of magnifying the Psalms in our service of praise, of manifesting their beauty and grandeur, and of rendering their use more acceptable. This Selection is an attempt to supply what is desiderated. By ignoring the numbering of the verses it is possible to render available for use, and without straining the context, many verses now standing apart from each other and from accepted groups; and also to expunge unsuitable verses which intrude awkwardly in otherwise desirable passages. Using this expedient, the idea has been to retain, as far as possible, what is germane to Christian worship and best in versification, and generally to omit what is not praise to God, nor an expression of the soul's love, devotion, thankfulness and joy; of its repentance, sorrow and submission. Some Agreement as to what ought to be included, and what omitted, in a compilation such as this, is of course not to be expected. will call for certain verses, the exclusion of which in praise they have never conceived as possible. Others may be of opinion that the selection suggested-less than fifteen per cent. of the whole number of verses in the Psalms-is still too large for its intended use. It is hoped, however, that consideration being given to the above lines of guidance, this effort to conserve the best and eliminate the unnecessary may be found to be a move in the right direction. The neglect of the Metrical Psalms-not to speak of the Paraphrases and the relegating them to a place subsidiary to that given to Hymns, has been a growing evil during recent years. The use of suitable Anthems, the proper chanting of Prose Psalms, and the singing of a wise selection of the best of the too numerous Hymns, are valuable parts of public worship; but to ignore, or barely tolerate, the Metrical Psalms is to deprive Presbyterian worship of characteristics peculiarly its own, and to make a weak concession to the fashion of the day. Along with the desire in this connection to see a return to the practice of former days, there is also a growing conviction in many minds that no good purpose has been served by the exclusion from recent Psalters of some of the old tunes that have been so long associated with Psalm and Paraphrase. It is these familiar melodies which, for the Scot at home or in exile, have the power of conjuring up wholesome memories of the Sabbath worship of byegone days. By its method of gathering out from the Psalms all that is service. able for praise, and presenting it in concrete portions unhampered by unnecessary matter; and, in addition, by its method of printing in juxtaposition with each portion a choice of appropriate tunes, it is believed that this selection might be made helpful towards a larger and more frequent use of the Psalms and Paraphrases in our Congregations. 9 Lorraine Gardens, Glasgow, April, 1907. J. CARFRAE ALSTON, Mr. JOSEPH HINTON, ORGANIST OF WESTBOURNE CHURCH, has kindly revised the setting and harmonies in the selection of Tunes. |