era, the organ, comprising the sounds of many instruments, was introduced into churches, but in a very imperfect state, until after the Reformation; and even those persons who about two hundred years since objected to instrumental music at all, have found the beneficial effects of it. It regulates the voice of the singer; it is to accompany and assist, not to drown and overpower, the voice of man. And here we may be permitted to mention the reverence which attended the instrumental music of the Jewish church. After Solomon had made an end of praying, (2 Chron. vii. 1,)" the fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the Lord filled the house," (ver. 6.) it is said, "and the priests sounded trumpets before them, and all Israel stood." The idle and irreverent custom of sitting whilst psalms and hymns are sung, is altogether unscriptural. There is not a single authority in the Bible to warrant it. In Nehemiah ix. 5, The Levites said, "Stand up and bless the Lord your God for ever and ever." In the Revelation, the saints and angels stand before the throne.

I will merely add, that one of the fathers of the primitive church, St. Basil, describing the practice in his days, says, "the people, rising from prayer, stand up to sing psalms." Enough has been said, I trust, to show that your wish to improve your church psalmody is agreeable to the usage of the church of God in its best seasons of devotion. We will now consider,

of

2ndly. The assistance to be derived from this noble instrument; with the power devotional harmony upon the soul.

In the worship of Almighty God, not merely the greatest reverence and devotion should be observed; but every proper means should be employed to raise the soul of the worshipper from earth to heaven. "Is any afflicted, let him pray; is any merry, let him sing psalms." Church music well conducted has the happiest influence upon the soul. It does as the harp of David did to Saul, it calms the troubled spirit. It is not merely listening to the song of others, but it is uniting in a song of praise ourselves. "Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and

forget not all his benefits, who forgiveth all thy sins, and healeth all thine infirmities." "I will sing unto the Lord so long as I live; while I have any being, I will sing praises unto my God."

The Psalms of David from first to last sing of mercy and judgment; of the goodness of God in the many deliverances vouchsafed to his people Israel; and of his judgments poured forth upon their adversaries. "Awake up my glory, awake lute and harp, I myself will awake right early."

It is in this way that we would call upon you, as a christian congregation, to praise the name of the Lord. You are anxious to improve the psalmody in this House of God. You are willing to expend some portion of this world's wealth to effect this purpose. It becomes therefore necessary to lay down certain rules for the better regulation of this part of your religious worship.

1. Let it be remembered in the use of this instrument, that it is possible to abuse it. If it takes off your attention from the prayers and preaching if any music be suffered to be played upon this organ, for instance, at the close of Morning Service,

which is not strictly devotional, the purpose is desecrated. "Let all things be done decently and in order.”

If, again, the organ takes too prominent a part in the psalmody, and if the voices of the singers have not the chief part, we lose the sacred beauty of the service. We have known from sad experience that the sacred harmony of a church has been greatly injured by these means. But in the service of God, whether it be prayer or praise, there must be unity, affection, and brotherly love.

"The eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee." Nor, again, “ the head to the feet, I have no need of you." All the members are necessary. And, therefore, whatever part of sacred worship we may engage in, we must pray to be filled with the Spirit; and then our worship will be devotional, and we shall offer to God the sacrifice of thanksgiving. When we sing, we associate with saints and angels; for in his visions the beloved John heard, amidst the heavenly choir, "harpers harping upon their harps." And the song which they sang, was salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and to the Lamb. When

we sing, we show forth the praises of the Lord: gratitude should fill the breast, and all the mercies of creation, providence and grace, of redemption and sanctification, should encourage the Christian to draw nigh unto God. "I will sing unto the Lord, and praise his name: I will be telling of his salvation from day to day." We do not forget that at the birth of the Saviour, the heavenly host sang, (we who preach must bear this in mind,) Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace; good will towards men." And that immediately before his crucifixion, when the disciples with their blessed Master had sung a hymn, they went out unto the Mount of Olives. Thus in all seasons of sorrow or of joy the notes of the Christian may vary, but the subject of his song will be the same.

And now, my brethren, permit me, in conclusion, to exhort you to employ not merely this noble instrument, but all other means of grace, to the glory of God. Consider as a christian congregation your own privileges, and recollect that, in the very outset of every good and holy work, the Spirit of God must be implored. "Be fill