shire; a man of piety, integrity, benevolence, and the most amiable simplicity of manners. She discovered in early life, her love of the muses, and often entertained her friends, with the truly poetical and pious productions of her pen. But, it was her infelicity, as it has been of many of her kindred spirits, to have a capacious soaring mind inclosed in a very weak and languid body. She lived, for the most part, a life of retirement in the same peaceful village where she began and ended her days. The duties of friendship and religion occupied her time, and the pleasures of both constituted her delight. Her heart was apt to feel, often to a degree too painful for her own felicity; but always with the most tender and generous sympathy for her friends. Yet, she possesed a native cheerfulness; of which, even the agonizing pains she endured, in the latter part of her life, could not deprive her. In every short interval of abated suffering, she would, in a variety of ways, as well as by ́ her enlivening conversation, give pleasure to all around her. Her life was a life of unaffected humility, warm benevolence, sincere friendship, and genuine devotion. She waited with christian dignity for the hour of her departure: when it came, she welcomed its approach; and having taken an affectionate leave of her friends, closed her eyes, with these animating words on her lips, "I know that my Redeemer liveth."

*This account is taken from the preface to the third volume of her "miscellaneous pieces in prose and verse," published under the name of THEODOSIA, by the Rev. Caleb Evans, of Bristol, 1780, after her decease.

It is humbly apprehended, that a grateful and affectionate address to the exalted Saviour of mankind, or a hymn in honour of the Eternal Spirit, cannot be disagreeable to the mind of God. To stigmatize such an act of devotion with the name of idolatry, is (to say the least) an abuse of language. It cannot be justly charged with derogating from the glory due to the ONE God and Father of all, because he is the ultimate object of the honour which is given to his Son and to his Spirit.

In this selection, those Christians who do not scruple to sing praises to their Redeemer and Sanctifier, will find materials for such a sublime enjoyment; whilst others, whose tenderness of conscience may oblige them to confine their addresses to the Father only, will find no deficiency of matter suited to their idea of "the chaste and awful spirit of devotion." BOSTON, MAY 10, 1795.

N. B. The characters denoting the sharp or flat key, are prefixed to each psalm or hymn, at my request, by the Rev. Dr. MORSE, of Charlestown.

}*

THE Hymns from the 300th to the end, are added to this edition, and have been selected by the successor of the Rev. Author. It is hoped that they will increase the value of the collection, and will serve to cherish that spirit of genuine devotion, which the whole work is eminently adapted to promote.

PSALMS.

PSALM I.

Common Metre.

*

The Happiness of the Righteous and the Misery of the

Wicked.

1 BLEST is the man who shuns the place
Where sinners love to meet;
Who fears to tread their wicked ways,
And hates the scoffer's seat.

2 But in the statutes of the Lord
Has plac'd his chief delight;
By day he reads or hears the word,
And meditates by night.

3 He, like a tree of generous kind.
By living waters set,

Safe from the storm and blasting wind,
Enjoys a peaceful state.

4 Green as the leaf, and ever fair
Shall his profession shine;
Whilst fruits of holiness appear
Like clusters on the vine.

5 Not so the impious and unjust!
What vain designs they form!
Their hopes are blown away like dust,
Or chaff before the storm.

6 Sinners in judgment shall not stand
Among the sons of grace;

When Christ, the Judge, at his right hand
Appoints his saints a place.

7 His eye beholds the path they tread,
His heart approves it well;
But crooked ways of sinners lead
Down to the gates of hell.

PSALM II.

WATTS.

Common Metre.

The Exaltation of Christ.

1 ATTEND, O earth, when God declares His uncontroll❜d decree;

"Thou art my Son, this day, my heir, "Have I begotten thee.

2 "Upon my holy Zion's hill

"My King I thee ordain ;

"And though thy foes dispute my will,
"Thou shalt for ever reign.

3" Ask and receive thy full demands,
"Thine shall the heathen be ;
"The utmost limits of the lands
"Shall be possess'd by thee.

4 Thy righteous sceptre thou shalt sway,
"And all thy foes command;
"Just as the potter breaks the clay,
"And moulds it with his hand."

5 Be wise, ye princes, then, give ear,
Ye judges of the earth;
Worship the Lord with holy fear,
Rejoice with awful mirth.

6 Approach the Son with due respect,
To him your homage pay;

Lest ye persist in your neglect,
And perish in your way.