fign. Nor can there be any impropriety in introducing the compofitions of others into the fame congregation, however partial to him, while the doctrines, experience, and tendency of both are alike. On the contrary, if we may judge from his general character and conduct, were he now living to visit the churches, no one would be more forward than he to disclaim an exclusive ufe of his books.

The force of fuch confiderations as thefe, among others, difpofed many public spirited men in almost every denomination, who use WATTS'S Pfalms and Hymns, to publish Appendices and Supplements to his Poems. We reflect moreover, that near a century has now elapfed fince his Hymns were compofed, in which time the divine head of the church has beftowed upon great numbers an eminent degree of the fame edifying gifts. But the pious labours of our predecessors in this way, do not render another effort ufelefs. It has been often remarked, and we think with propriety, without reflecting upon either the intentions or abilities of our brethren, that a more full and methodical collection than any which has yet appeared, would be an acceptable prefent, especially to the independent denomi

1 nation of Diffenters. We acknowledge our obligations to all, without detracting from the merits of any.

From the lift of Authors it appears that we have not been sparing of trouble in our selection. And we fuppofe it may be said without arrogance, that more pains and expence have been bestowed in rendering this work deserving of public patronage than any other work of the kind in the English Language. It will also appear that we have endeavoured to discard the prejudice of party names, while nothing is admitted which is prejudicial to the doctrines of fovereign grace.

To fome, the thought may occur, if this collection is profeffedly for the use of Calviniftic Diffenters, why fhould any hymns compofed by Mr. CHARLES WESLEY be admitted? We reply, that none contrary to the peculiar doctrines of grace are here admitted-that fome of them clearly affert thefe doctrines in the warmth of chriftian experience, and remote from the oppofition of controverfy. To which we may add, that in defcribing and exciting the stronger paffions and exercises of the mind, he feems to have

chearful improvement have been lost for want of a proper selection of words and mufic for the occafion. Mufic fhould not only be employed to affist devotion in acts of worship, but also made fubfervient to innocent recreation, whether in a perfonal or focial view. This fuggefted the propriety of appropriating the last part of the work, entitled "Varieties," to this purpose, with the further defign of promoting in young people the love of facred harmony.

The ufe or neglect of Pfalmody very much depends on the mufic; if this be dull, or ill adapted to move the paffions; unfuitable, or calculated to excite different paffions from thofe of the words; or not pitched in the right key (which must often be the cafe in the family and the congregation on fudden emergencies, and when the leader is not poffeffed of extemporaneous readiness) pfalmody will be uninteresting and therefore neglected, as a tedious, and burden. fome talk. Whatever therefore tends to facilitate a proper choice of tunes, and to pitch them with certainty, must be of effential fervice to this delightful exercife. Hitherto, the only helps offered to the public have been felections of Tunes published feparately, and, in a few

instances, the names of them referred to in the hymn book.

To remedy this great and general defect, - there is inferted at the end of this volume, A MUSICAL INDEX, on a new plan; confifting of near two hundred and feventy tunes; above fifty of them being entirely new melodies, adapted to all the Pfalms and Hymns of Dr. WATTS, by Dr. MILLER, and alfo above two hundred more selected by him, some originals, and others the most favourite melodies now in ufe, carefully corrected. It is not pretended that all the fine melodies in ufe are included in this collection; fuch an attempt, however large the felection might be, would but prove itself pre pofterous.

In few things is prejudice more alive, and partiality more operative, than in the choice of Tunes; what one deems fine ano ther treats with indifference; and often what is heard with indifference at one time is afterwards, from certain circumstances, dwelt upon with delight. There is alfo a local tafte in choofing and eftimating the characters of Tunes; in fome places almost the whole atten

tion is confined to the Melody, in others the Harmony is the chief point. Befides, many excellent Tunes are announced as private property, and therefore could not be inferted with justice in the book to which this Index refers. It remains, therefore, that, in order to render our plan more complete, every one should have an opportunity to infert an Index of his own Favourite Tunes not in this book. This is provided for by the blank ftaves at the end of the engraved Index, the continuation of which may be made with a pen at pleasure, and with very little trouble.

In this engraved Index is inferted only the Introduction, or firft part of the air. Here. by, any one who has but the slightest knowledge of the notes, will be enabled not only to find a tune fuitable to the words, but also, by means of a pitch-pipe or fork, to fet the tune in a proper key, without referring to any other book, often voluminous or not at hand. And, in order to afford a greater scope in the choice of appropriate tunes, a reference is often made to two for each hymn, one of which at least will be plain and easy. It may be further observed, that the numbers in the mufical Index corref