Malice, Satanic vice, put forth its utmost power, M. MADAM, To the Assistant of Education. The reading of your Listener's observations on the uses of musick, brought to my mind a circumstance that occurred to me many years agone, but of which the impression is fresh upon my memory. It happened to me to be present at a large dinner party, to which, for the sake of their musick, a number of professional singers had been invited. Braham was there, and Storace, and Mrs. Dickinson, and many others, whose names I do not remember. I had dined at that table many times before, without hearing any words of acknowledgment to the Deity, or any mention of his name, except in oaths. But now as all was to be musick, a grace was sung. I suppose this may be a common thing at publick festivals, but as these are places ladies do not much frequent, this was the only time I ever heard it. Beautiful beyond description appears to me this burst of sacred harmony, uttered as it was by lips profane, but in such stile as might be expected from the powers of the performers. Of the forty persons present, I perhaps might be the only one who thought of God at all on the occasion: but I did think, and did deeply feel; and though not very seriously disposed at the time, could not easily get rid of the impression, or reconcile myself to the unhallowed conversation that ensued upon this divine commencement. I have often thought since, that if from lips not true, and from hearts not grateful, a mere ceremony could be so impressive; how beautiful it might be, breathed in simplicity by voices tuned to sing the praises of their God. I have thought that were I at the head of an establishment it should be tried. The doors should be shut, the servants should be in waiting, and before the covers were taken off, and when the cloth was removed, a strain of music should be heard, very brief, very simple, and yet solemn, expressive of harmony in the hearts of those assembled to be partakers together of God's bounty, and a pledge that his gifts should not be misused, nor his presence forgotten, nor any unkindly feelings manifested during the time of the repast. In our manner of saying grace before meals in general, it is impossible for a thinking person not to perceive that it is not often what it is meant to be. I do not speak of those parties where no one acknowledges the Giver or the gift. Where no feeling is, one form may be as good as another-perhaps the omission as good as any-for I have heard grace said where it could be little else than a breach of the third commandment. Neither do I speak of those set parties of religious people, in which I have generally heard it said with much reverence and attention. What is in my mind is the blessing usually asked in the domestic circle, where the members of it are really not unmindful of their God. It seems to me it is not so solemn and effectual a ceremony as it might be. Half the party are not assembled when grace is said they come in the middle of it-or they say, or leave unsaid, their solitary benedicite, after the dinner has commenced. Those who are present do not seem to listen some sit, some stand, some bow hastily with au air of distraction. It may be answered, "What signifies a form? The heart is grateful, and asks a secret blessing on every thing we enjoy. The aspiration of a moment is as good as the prepared utterance of words." This is true-and we have only to carry the argument through, to get rid of every form and manifest⚫ation of religion whatever. Rather let me say, it would be true, if man were the saint he is not. But in fact we are forgetful, insensible, and ungrateful, even in our best estate; and with the bounties of God perpetually before us, and his grace in action upon our hearts, we do still need to be reminded by external signs and ceremonies of devotion. They who venture to despise all outward signs and seemings of religion, should know their own hearts well. There may be some who have got beyond the influence of external things, and want no helps to keep their God in mind. I do not know who they are-but I am sure they are not the young, the healthful, and the happy, usually assembled at our domestic tables. MADAM, ON SUNDAY DINNERS. It is at the request of the friend who is the subject of the present sheet, that I trouble you with it-merely remarking, that she hopes you will employ her experience or not, as you think proper. I am, Madam, Your humble Servant, I. "You will dine with us on Sunday, my dear," said Lady H. to my young friend-"we intend having the little ones christened, and I hope we shall have a pleasant family party: with Mr. N-, Mr. and Mrs. D—, and yourself, we shall number about eighteen-you must positively come-remember I shall expect you to pass the day with us." I should state that my young friend, Miss S-, had often declined similar invitations; sometimes stating as a reason that she wished to pass the day alone. The week was always entirely occupied, and she had long been accustomed to spend the sabbaths in tranquillity, regularly attending the service of her own church and of the adjacent parish. She felt and blushed not to acknowledge her conviction of the importance of the 'duties peculiar to the day which the Almighty has consecrated as one of holy rest. It was her earnest wish to impress her acquaintance, and those over whom she possessed any controul, with the necessity of a regularly religious observance of that day, and she dreaded lest, by a prominent failure in those principles she so ardently longed to inculcate, she might lead into error those whom she hoped to guide to virtue. She knew that she was considered by Lady H. as a Methodist-she was also aware, that both her ladyship and her daughters attached absurd and unjust ideas to the word Methodist, and that it was never applied by them except as a term of reproach or of ridicule. I chanced to see Miss S soon after the invitation was given; she informed me of it, and requested my advice for her decision. Lady H. she said, had been more than once her benefactress; she was anxious to efface the impression which her ladyship had received of her being on a Sunday methodistical, gloomy, and dejected; and argued, that as two clergymen, Mr. N- and Mr. D- were to be present, she could not surely err materially by following their example. "Besides," she continued, it is a christening-not a gay, fashionable party-and it is not probable that any thing very repugnant to my feelings should occur. Thus she reasoned, and finding her really disposed to go, I declined all interference. Before I left, she wrote to Lady H-, saying that she "should have pleasure in attending the interesting ceremony of the public baptism of her children." We met twice again before the Sunday, but the subject was not mentioned, and I forbore making any observations which might cause her uneasiness. I could not however help observing an unusually forced gaiety of manner, which, without remarking to herself, I attributed to different causes, but which she has since told me was occasioned by an unwillingness to ruminate on the engagement she had made. Sunday came, and as my friend was about to prepare for her morning walk to church, Lady H.'s carriage was announced-a note was likewise delivered, which requested Miss S.'s immediate attendance at 66 Hall. She had no alternative but to step into the carriage; and when on her arrival she anxiously enquired if any thing had happened, Lady H-replied with a smile, Nothing, my dear, but 1 was resolved to have you all day, therefore adopted the only method I could devise of bringing you here early-come, you must help me to adorn this christening cake which the confectioner has foolishly sent quite plain." Poor Miss S was too much chagrined to reply-she felt that she could not refuse to assist in what she must witness, therefore helped to dispose of the various ornaments which had been collected. The rest of the morning was passed in a consultation about some new ball dresses for the elder girls, and in discussing the merits of a new novel. At two o'clock the sponsors and other friends arrived: they repaired to church, where they might have edified by a very fair sermon; and after the congregation were dispersed, the children were brought forward to be admitted" members of Christ and children of God." Here reflection and gravity were deposed by whispering and |