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    on bowels of mercy . ' Let us abound in the exercise of a virtue , which wjU contribute so much to our present an ^ future happiness . Let us subdue that pri 4 e & 9 * d malice , envy and resentment , which oppose

    the feeling's of compassion . Let us banish that indolence , let us extirpate that avarice , which prevent our compliance with its dictates . Considering mankind as the children of <* oe common parent , let us i lave as brethren . Let us ttoj , overlook

    the sorrows of others , nor the circumstances that aggravate their affliction . Let us remember , that , many of the distresses which we witness , will , in all probability , fall to t > ur own lot . Is thy felk * w-cveature in sickness , forget not that thou art exposed to similar suffering . Is he lamenting * the

    loss of friends , remember , that ere long ' thy own must be the house of mourning * . Is he involved in sudden calanaity , ' Boast not thyself of to-morrow , for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth / Let a sense of our own frailty and weakness , give us a lively interest iu the distresses of others . And . above all , conscious that our

    hope of divine mercy must rest upon our conduct towards our feilow-creatures ., let us * be kind one to another , tender-hearted forg-iving- one another ; ' rememberingthat' with what measure we mete , it shall be measured unto us again ; ' and that ' he shall have judgement without mercy , who hath shewn no mercy . ' Pp . 162—166 .

    There is not a finer passage in the volume than this on sacred musick , from Sermon xi . on " Praise , " iu which the author appears quite at honie , and rivals the beauty of Bishop Atterbury ' s Sermon , preached on Cecilia ' s day [ Sermons , Vol . iv . pp . 235—263 ] :

    u It is g-ood , ' says the Psalmist , c to sing * praises unto our God $ it is pleasant , and praise is comely . ' So excellent , becoming and delightful , is the song- of praise , that it has been authorized by the example of all nations , and universally received into the solemnities of religion .

    It formed a conspicuous and important part of the Jewish worship 5 and gave beauty , dignity and animation , to the sacred services of the temple . Nor hath Christianity abolished this expression of homage as aw empty form , of u steles * ceremony . Its divine author was pleased to

    consecrate this act of worship by his own example , under circumstances peculiarly affecting . On the evening which preceded his sufferings , when he celebrated tho passover with his disciples , and instituted the memorial of his death , they

    concluded the solemnity by joining in a |» salm or hymn of praise . And St . Paul exhorts the Christian converts to the observance of this duty : * Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom ; teaching and admonishing one another iu

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    psalms , and hymns , and spiritual S 0 J £ . singing with grace iayour hearts untofk * Lord . ' Wth * Not 4 ees the propriety of this mo de tf worship rest only on general custom * mere authority . Divide song is uadoult edly the language of Nature . It origi ^ from out frame and constituti on . Tb vriae author of n , at ^ re has kindly added t « ear other powers and faculties , the sense of harmony . Be Has ordained certain sounds 4 $ excite sensations of delight ; he has Bia . de th&m the proper accompaniment and expression of the passions and affections of the mind . Were we to observe with | L

    Psalmist , that the duty is pleasant , that the voice of melody tends to cheer and invigorate the spirits , to still the tumultuous passions , to fix the wandering attentioa and to prepare and compose the heart for the exercises of public worship , it would be no slight argument in its favour . h& we rather observe that it is comel y ^ a $ suitably expressing the sentiments of

    devotion , a-ad tbe sublime joy which religion u fitted to inspire . | t is the manner in which tfee affection ^ of the mind , vkn elevated and enlarged , do naturally express themselves . It can accommodate itself to the various modifications of love and joy , the essence of a devotional

    temper . It hath lofty strains for the sublimity of adoration , plaintive ^ accents which become the tears of penitence and sorrow ; it can a-dopt the humble pVea o » f supplication , or swell in the bolder notes of thanksgiving and triumph . Yet it iias been properly remarked , that the influence of song reaches only to the amiable and

    pleasing ^ afFections , and that it lias no expression for malig-nant and tormenting passions . The sorrow therefore to which it is attuned , should be mingled with hope ; the penitence it expresses , cheered with the sensse of pardon ; and the mournful scenes on which it sometimes dwells ,

    irradiated with the glorious views and consolations of the g * ospel . iVe farther add , that , by a sympathetic influence , the tones , which naturally «^" piess , do also powerfully excite certain passions of the mind ; and that , under « lue reg-ulation . the aid of music becomes

    favourable to religious impression . She can awake the dull and torpid powers , she < an introduce and cherish the affections which belong- to thanksgiving * and praise . *> ' parate even from language and sentiw eur » she can influence the passions and movements of the soul , can inspire with solemnity and awe , can animate with £ | ' a ness , or dispose the heart to devout »»« and affectionate sorrow . But the fa" * proper effect of music depends up 011 J connexion with becoming- sentiments an expressions . When directed to a suita ^ object , and subservient to the _ heart *^ voice , her energy is most consp icuous * delightful : and she displays her »«» | es

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    $ 68 Meview <—r&avrisotis Sermans on important 8-ubjetitis .

• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), March 2, 1815, page 168, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1758/page/40/