could be known to the passenger by the frequency with which the strains of devotional music were heard to issue from it. To wish that it were more cared for in places of public worship is superfluous: every one wishes the same; and where the power is in pious hands, the endeavour has not been wanting to the extent of the capability: still as a part of divine worship, I must think it ought to be more in the hands of the minister than it usually is, and more on his responsibility.

As a social enjoyment among religious people, I cannot but think the neglect of sacred music is quite extraordinary. Every Christian must, and every Christian does, prefer it to all other music and as if God were determined in one sense to maintain his supremacy, or to afford his people an opportunity of reasserting it when they will, the finest compositions in the world are of a devotional character. But whether that we will not, or that we dare not demand from the prince of this world his usurped possession wholly, a very small concession, some solitary hymn perhaps, or sacred fugue, yielded cautiously and almost by stealth, is all that can be ventured in our musical evenings, with some feeling that even these are out of place. If they are out of place, it is because of the company they are in: because they are the intruders where they ought to be the guests. The praises of God can never be out of place on grateful lips from a believing heart: it is only his expulsion from his own world, that has made them inopportune anywhere. If Christians meet to forget Him, if their mirth requires His absence, and their social affections refuse his participation, as is the case in the world's society, then is

his name mocked by such an introduction of it. If profane songs, or other sinful excitements, must be brought into our evening amusements, then is the admixture of his word an improper one. But I cannot tell why an enjoyment so animating, so elevating and delightful, should not be expressly that for which we meet; the understood design of our social entertainments. I cannot believe but that such assemblies might often claim the promise of his own especial presence in the midst, while they promoted sociability, and became a bond of spiritual union and affection. It is objected that sacred music does not suit mixed companies. There is a forbidden mixture which it certainly does not suit, unless it might be to shame the incongruity. But it would rarely be offensive to the most worldly visitors of a religious house: and to invite their assistance in it, is no more objectionable than to invite them to our family prayers, or public ordinances, to them alike without feeling or interest. So far from it, I cannot but think a beneficial influence might be exercised if those who, for music's sake, now make an ungodly compromise with the world, to meet on neutral ground, were to say, No; we have devoted our music to God; come and share it with us and him.'

6

I have extended my remarks much beyond what I intended; and still they are but desultory allusions to important things. I will add but two or three words relative to music as a solitary recreation. Without meaning to prohibit all other composi→ tions, I would suggest, to the young in particular, what I know to be true, because I feel it so: that different kinds of music have a different effect upon

the mind, and give a different tone to the spirits. Let them watch their own emotions to prove if it is not so. We know, if we be Christians, what tone of mind is happiest and safest in a world at enmity with God-and with us if we be his; where Satan is ever on the watch to whisper sin, and our own hearts ever ready to betray us; and we know what state of the feelings best fits us for earthly duties and heavenly communion. Whether we have recourse to music as a medicine to relieve our minds, or as an entertainment to refresh them, it is our wisdom to choose such as has the best influence on our feelings. This is a discretion which we all exercise in reading, because we are fully sensible of the effect produced on the mind by what we read. It needs only a closer observation to perceive the same in music. If the result of the observation should seem to require a sacrifice, we may be assured it is one of habit rather than of taste, which will very soon cease to be a privation.

G. E. M.

[Impressed with the excellence of the foregoing paper, and heartily concurring in all points save one, with the writer, we must not leave that one, and very important point, undefended. If the remarks quoted from Newton, in our last number, are not deemed applicable to Christians, when partaking in the scenes that he denounces, we trust that no such obscurity rests on the following powerful declaration of the Rev. Legh Richmond. We quote the letter from his Memoirs by Mr. Grimshawe, giving, at the same time, our most perfect and unqualified assent to every word.

'I can truly, deliberately, and conscientiously add to the testimony of my friend Pellatt, that I do consider the ordinary musical festivals, conducted as they are, amid a strange medley of wanton confusion and most impure mixtures, as highly delusive, fascinating, and dangerous to youth. I consider the oratorio performances in churches, as a solemn mockery of God, and forbidden by the clear principles of the gospel. The making the most sacred and solemn subjects which heaven ever revealed to man, even to the Passion of Christ himself on the cross, a matter for the gay, critical, undevout recreation of individuals, who avowedly assemble for any purpose but that of worship-and who, if they did, could hardly pretend that it were very practicable in such company, and on such an occasion-I do from my heart believe to be highly offensive to God. Playhouse actors and singers (frequently persons of very exceptionable character) are hired, supported, applauded, and almost idolized, in these exhibitions, and encouraged to persevere in their immoral and dangerous profession. Vice rides triumphantly in such proceedings. I am happy to say, that in the instance of the festival at Edinburgh, none of the serious people, either ministers or laymen, have countenanced it with their presence; excepting two clergymen, one of whom left the Oratorio in the midst of their performance, shocked and confounded at the abuse of holy things, and ashamed of being found there; the other is deemed by all his brethren to have acted very wrongly, and to have countenanced much evil. The spirit of the world, the pride of life, the lust of the eye, all enter into these public gaieties; and their false pretensions to partial sa

credness only render them more objectionable. If young people do not learn this lesson early, they will greatly suffer in all hope of their spirituality. The less they may now, in the infancy of their Christian state, see and feel this, the more dangerous it is to yield to their ignorance and inexperience. What is morally and religiously wrong, can never become right through the error of youth. And it would be a strange departure from every moral and religious principle to say- I know an act to be wrong in itself, but my child has not grace enough to see it as I do; therefore I may lawfully permit him to do what I know to be wrong'-would not this open a door to every species of sin and error?

'As to examples of good people: sin does not cease to be sin, because some good people unhappily fall into the snares which the great enemy of souls spreads for their delusion. It is, and it shall be for a lamentation, that good men err so deplorably, and thereby countenance what, eventually their principles condemn; and what they may some day have deep cause to regret.

"No man in England loves music,-sacred musicbetter than I do; therefore my sacrifice to principle and conscience is far greater than that of many others. I ought to have the greater credit for my self-denial; but I dare not countenance sin and danger, because it is clothed in the bewitching garb of good music and pretended sanctity. "Let not my soul come into their assembly." Tender and affectionate husband and father as I hope I am, however I may sometimes be misapprehended, and, consequently, sorry to interfere with the comfort of those most near and dear to me; yet I rejoice from