song. No man thinks the weaving of a web, the planting of a cornfield, or the sweeping of a house worthy of a song. Why, then, have we so many mean topics-so many childish and frivolous songs-sung by Christians? In consecrating our singing powers, God has not debased them. He has rather exalted them. Still the subjects worthy of Christian song are specifically of the same kind as those worthy of the songs of men. The Christian, as well as the man, has his love-songs-the praises of his hero, the Captain of his salvation-the triumphs of his glorious warfare. These, then, are worthy of sacred song. And thus, in general terms, the question is answered, What is worthy of the Christian's song? Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs should, therefore, be founded upon such noble themes. Let the love of God our Father, the praises of the character, and the glories of the achievements of the Captain of our salvation, animate our strains. Let our sentimental songs be of the same exalted character with the subjects of faith, hope, and love; and let not the little, low, selfish, schismatical, and sectarian topics find a place In this sublimest of all exercises known among men. Let not the rhapsodies of enthusiasm, nor the moonshine speculations of frigid abstraction, characterize what we, as Christians, call the praises of our God "To heavenly themes sublimer strains belong." In order, however, that singing may answer the purposes of edification for which it was designed, attention must be paid not only to the subject-matter of hymns, but to the manner in which they are sung, and the style or character of the tunes employed. The "grave sweet melody," the "joyful strains," and the mournful sounds of "harps hung upon the willow trees," ought to correspond with the meaning of the song and the occasion. To hear a joyful tune sung to the song, "Why do we mourn departed friends?”— Or a mournful air to the words, "Rejoice, O Earth, the Lord is King,"— is so unharmonious and discordant, that half the world feels the incongruity as they would frost in August, or solstitial heat in December. But every approach to these extremes is to be guarded against, as well as the extremes themselves. Hence the necessity of good taste and sound judgment in selecting appropriate tunes for every theme, and for all occasions of this delightful exercise of the understanding and the affections. Besides the selecting of appropriate tunes, and singing these according to the ordinary rules of music, there are other points relating to the manner of singing deserving of remark. Not only should the words be distinctly pronounced that the sentiment may be understood by others, but a proper emphasis should be given to such passages as require it. To sing the verse commencing "What though the spicy breezes Blow soft o'er Ceylon's isle," with the same force and expression as the one which immediately follows, "Shall we whose souls are lighted By wisdom from on high," &c. indicates either a deficiency, of taste, or that the singer i. so engrossed with the music as to be inobservant of the sentiment. When, on the contrary, the former is sung with a soft and plaintive expression; and the latter with a greater degree of energy, the transition leads the mind at once to the sentiment by which it was occasioned, and secures the primary object of the exercise, viz. edification. This, indeed, it should ever be borne in mind, is the most important point in relation to Christian psalmody, and every thing else should be made secondary and subser vient to the great purpose of singing with the spirit and the understanding. The hymn-book, next to the Bible, forms the mind and manners of the young members of the family of God. Nothing, therefore, that is mean in composition ought to appear in it. This bears with still additional force against familiarizing the mind with any thing in the form of psalmody, which, however beautiful in verse, is not accordant to the letter and spirit of the Christian Institution. These considerations have influenced us to repudiate altogether some hymns and songs (though very popular) and to reform others. If we have not every psalm, hyma, and spiritual song which might be sung with acceptance and with propriety, it ought not to be thought a defect in our selection, any more than the not having every flower and shrub in a garden (provided every species be there) should be an objection against the good taste or judgment of the keeper in making his selections. We think we have culled the most useful and beautiful flowers from all the books in use; and if we have not every individual song, we have some of every species of poetry, and on every subject which rightfully claims a place in the sacred psalmody of the Christian society. A. CAMPBELL PSALMS. PSALM I-L. M.-[Old Hundred His sov'reign pow'r, without our aid, We are his people-we his care- We'll crowd thy gates with thankful songs Wide as the world is thy command! Firm as a rock thy truth shall stand, PSALM 2-P. M.-[Star in the East. HAIL the blest morn! when the great Mediator Down from the regions of glory descends! Shepherds, go worship the babe in the man ger; Lo! for your guide the bright angel attends! CHORUS. Brightest and best of the sons of the morning, Guide where our infant Redeemer is laid: Cold on his cradle the dew-drops are shining, Low Hes his head with the beasts of the stall; Angels adore him in slumbers reclining, Maker, and monarch, and Saviour of all! Say, shall we yield him in costly devotion, Odors of Eden, and off'rings divine; Gems from the mountain, and pearls from the ocean, Myrrh from the forest, and gold from the mine? |