ed, the apostle says, with the Spirit." Without the influence of the Spirit to direct our steps, we shall wander into paths of sin and error. At the very threshold, therefore, of the attempt to improve your psalmody, I would recommend not merely a serious consideration of the subject of church music itself, but a very watchful eye over the manner in which it is to be conducted. Prevent us, O Lord, in all our doings; (should be your prayer;) and further us with thy continual help: that in everything begun, continued, and ended in thee, we may glorify thy holy name.”

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In order to lead others to partake with us in religious worship, we should pray to be religiously and devoutly affected ourselves. When we "come into his presence with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise," we should pray that a real spirit of thankfulness may fill our souls. It is so easy a thing to say, "I thank God," when our hearts are far from him; it is so common a thing to have the form of godliness without the power; it is a temptation so strong to be led by the world from the service of our God, that every help and

assistance; every warning and exhortation is needed, to keep us in the narrow path which leadeth to eternal life.

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Why call ye me Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" Why take the name of the Lord thy God in vain, by singing of that mercy and of those mighty acts which you care not to experience? "In vain do they worship me," said our Lord to all such characters as these: "teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." When we

consider that every creature of God is good, if it be used with thanksgiving; that every gift of God may be made highly profitable to the man who employs it aright; that all the services of the church on earth may be preparatory to the service and worship of God in heaven; surely we are led to ask ourselves, whether any additional opportunity may not be highly conducive to our eternal welfare. I humbly trust that such will be found to be the case, in the present instance: that a spirit of real devotion will accompany your services, and that you will every sabbath have occasion to bless God for the assistance which you are as on this day receiving.

In all places of public worship, there is lamentably too little reverence and respect for the great God who therein records his name. "Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." But if the Lord Jehovah be present, what should be our feelings? How solemn is the thought! The creature, nay the sinful creature, in the presence of his Creator. Will God indeed dwell on the earth the heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain him, much less any house which man can build. Well, therefore, did the same wise king Solomon say, "Keep thy foot when thou goest into the house of God." In former days there was unquestionably a much more careful homage paid to the outward part of worship. And as we can only judge of what passes within from the seeming reverence of the worshippers, even such outward caution is highly pleasing. There is in some an ease, a familiarity with the Deity, greatly to be deplored especially in singing and playing what is termed sacred music. Any levity in the air; any worldly indecorous expressions in the hymn;

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any liberty taken with things sacred is grievous; it brings a disgrace upon that holy name by which we are called. makes the children of this world scoff. It makes the enemies of the Lord blaspheme. How different was the feeling of holy men under the Old Testament dispensation! The patriarch Jacob could say, "Surely this is none other than the house of God and this is the gate of heaven." Every strain which the heavenly host are represented as singing, is deeply devotional. Blessing, honour, glory, power, majesty, dominion; these are the subjects of their songs of praise.

Let me entreat you to make it your great object, and to lay it down as a rule from which nothing shall tempt you to depart, that the psalms which you sing shall be, both in the words of which they are composed, and in the music which accompanies them, strictly devotional: "be filled with the Spirit, speaking to yourselves in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your hearts to the Lord." The congregation which assembled at the dedication of Solomon's temple

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offered willingly; and you will, I am persuaded, this day have a real pleasure in contributing according to your ability, and in taking a part to yourselves in this delightful instrument. It is very possible to praise all these things, and yet take no part in them. The prophet Amos (vi. 4) speaks of some "who lie upon beds of ivory, and stretch themselves upon their couches, and eat the lambs out of the flock, and the calves out of the midst of the stall; that chant to the sound of the viol, and invent to themselves instruments of music like David; that drink wine in bowls, and anoint themselves with chief ointments; but they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph:" they take no interest in the state of the church: nor does real religious principle take possession of their breasts-really wish to have a part in every good thing.

For recollect, lastly, how short is the period of time in which we shall any one of us be permitted to join singing, or praying, or hearing in the courts below. If we have our part and our lot in the great salvation purchased for us in Christ Jesus; if we are now receiving him by faith as the great