while on earth, to begin the day with praise, to fill it up with aspirations of gratitude, and end it with a Hymn of thanksgiving. But especially each should exert the noblest powers of body and mind in the assemblies of saints, in lifting up the love-song to God and the Lamb, that so each may be edified strengthened, taught, and admonished, and that God may be glorified in and by us.

11. But caution is necessary here. The Lord's words, "Take heed what you hear," may suggest, "Take heed what you sing." Those who have not searched numerous Hymn books for suitable compositions, can be little aware of the thousands of improper subjects that are put into rhyme to be sung as praise. Party peculiarities and sectarian tenets fill great numbers; denunciations of wrath and descriptions of the damned state, fill others; and this is "praise"! In our humble and prayerful endeavours to supply suitable themes for the disciples of Jesus, we have purposely selected such hymns as are in the first person, and as contain words of steady and warm gratitude, clothed in beauteous imagery,in propriety of style, and scriptural accuracy of expression. Our beau idea? has been the NEW SONG, that heavenly model of heartfelt praise which the beloved Apostle heard sung before the throne, Gladly would we have brought every hymn up to that divine standard! To Jesus' followers praise is a school of delights, in which minds and manners are formed for heaven. In this school we learn the language of the "Church of the first born," -to renounce whatever is unlovely,-to aspire towards per fection in pleasing God, and to aim at thoughts so pure, and words so chastened, accurate, and heavenly, as may be suitable when we stand in the very presence and amidst the glorified assembly.

12. Another caution is, "Take heed how you sing." To be filled with high notions of our excellencies of voice, of science, of judgment, &c. would render us loathsome to our Father in heaven. Pride spoils praise. Deep humility is its indispensible accompaniment. The very nature of grateful praise is an abasement of self, while we bless, love, and exalt the Lord Jesus, and adore our God. The acceptable sacrifice of praise to God is under a deep sense of our unworthiness, and a delighted sense of abounding mercy in the Lord, to render the thanks of our very hearts in mingled feelings of lowly reve

r ence and admiring love. It is, at the same time, very desirable, that each disciple should learn to sing accurately, as well as humbly. The abundance and cheapness of Hymn tune publications, leaves us no excuse for incorrect and injudicious singing. Neither mere noise nor mimic warbling should be adopted, but the modest medium of sober psalmody, which best suits the desire to sing with understanding. There are few more heart-stirring scenes (lovely in the Lord's eyes) than to behold and listen to the sweet, well-disciplined voices of a faithful and earnest assembly, hymning forth the high praises of God and the Lamb.

13. Nor must we omit to point out the posture suited to praise. Sitting down to sing is manifestly indolent, indecent, irreverent, unduly familiar, and therefore improper. None would sit to address an earthly sovereign, and each should remember that in praise we address heaven's King-the Prince of the kings of the earth. In the ancient church (1 Chro. xxiii. 30.) the Levites were appointed "to stand every morning to thank and praise the Lord, and likewise at even." At the return from captivity too,(Neh.ix.5.) the Levites said to the assembled Israelites, "stand up, and bless the Lord your God." And in the divine vision vouchsafed to the beloved Apostle (Rev. vii. 9.) the innumerable multitude are represented as "standing before the throne, and before the Lamb," to present their thanksgiving.

14. Finally, praise should be unceasing here, as it will hereafter be unending. It should unite humble joy, unwavering confidence, and universal love. With such fruit of the lips (proceeding from hearts melting with affection) God is well pleased, and upon all who delight to bring the tender tribute, He will ever shower down his blessings, and be indeed "dew unto Israel." Let us then, as children of Zion, be joyful in our King, and make his statutes our songs in the house of our pilgrimage.

May, 1848.

J. D.

1.

HYMN S.

LOVE OF GOD TO MAN.

C. M.

COME,

YOME, let us magnify the Lord,
And lift our souls above;
heart and voice accord,
To sing that "God is Love."

Let

every

This precious truth his word declares,
And all his mercies prove;
Yes! Jesus, gift of gifts, appears
To show that "God is Love!"

Then let us all, while here we stay,
In Love's returns improve;

Till warmer hearts, in brighter day,
Sing louder God is Love."

2.

C. M.

10 our Almighty Maker, God,

His great salvation sounds abroad,
To make the nations blessed.

He spake the word to Abrah'm first;
His truth fulfils the grace:

Now Gentiles make his Christ their trust,
And learn his righteousness.

B

Let all the earth his love proclaim,
With all their different tongues;
And happy Israel bless his name,
In sweetly grateful songs.

LOVE divine; how sweet the sound!

Swell the theme on earth around

Every saint that dwells below,
Should with heavenly raptures glow.

Love, that brings salvation free;

Love divine, to pardon me!

:

Love, that makes heaven's blessings mine;

Love, that will eternal shine.

Better than earth's gilded toys,

Or an age of carnal joys;

Better far than Ophir's gold;

Love, whose worth can ne'er be told.

While in earthly tents I stay,
Love divine shall tune my lay;
When I soar to heaven above,
Still I'll praise my Saviour's love.

4.

GW

L. M.

LORY to God! who reigns above, Who dwells in light, whose name is Love! As angels did, disciples can

Declare the love of God to man.

O! what can more his love commend
Than his belov'd from heaven to send ?
To die that man condemned might live,
And God be glorious to forgive.