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with the following line, "O Lord I would delight in thee," we readily discover an unaccountable perversion of Scripture language. The similitude there made use of, though beautifully appropriate to the Church as one general body, becomes monstrous when incautiously applied to each individual member.

A further object has been to raise the standard of devotional feeling among them, as Christian worshippers, to a more cheerful and manly tone; and to get rid of all that luscious and languishing sentimentality which so generally pervades some of our collections of hymns, and which has a direct tendency to paralyze every effort of strenuous exertion, if not to corrupt the heart*. The different tone of feeling with which the same sentiments may be variously expressed, is very forcibly exemplified in the contrast existing between Psalm cxxv. Old Version, and the hymn commencing "When I can read my title clear." Or, to give another instance, compare the devout, reverential, and manly, mode of address in the Liturgy, "Good Lord deliver us ;" or the sober language of the thief on the cross, "Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom," with the childish, languid, and impertinently familiar, tone of those hymns which frequently repeat the line "Dear Lord, remember me." Low spirits, and melancholy, are very ill calculated to assist the Christian in fighting the good fight of faith, or in running the race set before him. Penitential sorw, it may be observed, belongs to a very

nt class of feelings, and is not incon

* See Knox's Essays.

sistent with cheerful courage, and vigorous resolution.

It should not be forgotten that collections of hymns have also been made a vehicle for introducing partial statements of divine truth, under the specious pretence of a purer Gospel. A collection of texts has therefore been added, as a sort of specimen of the proper way of comparing Scripture with Scripture, and allowing to every part its due weight. (See page 293.)

It may not be unsuitable in this place to offer a word of advice on the general subject of Psalmody. The intention of Psalmody is the setting forth the praise and glory of God, and it is evidently the duty of every one to take a part in such a work who has received mercies for which it becomes him to be thankful, and has a tongue given him to speak forth the sentiments of his heart. How inconsistent then is the common practice of confining the use of Psalmody to a few individuals, who are apt to call themselves, for the sake of distinction, "the singers," and who have sometimes been ignorant enough of propriety to expect remuneration for their services; thus, confessedly, looking for their reward from men. In fact, the whole congregation ought to be the singers, and those who take the lead are bound to make use of such tunes only as can be easily learnt and remembered. Fine pieces of music, and a display of talents, are as much out of place in singing the praises of God, as a Greek sermon, or Latin prav would be in the reading-desk or pul must ever be remembered that God lo heart; we shall greatly mistake, theref

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