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measure obsolete, and often uncouth, is yet a very faithful one. Its authors made it directly from the original Hebrew text, and preserved throughout, in an admirable manner, the literal sense and meaning of the Psalms of David. The same cannot be said of the new version, which was not made from the original, and is in many places inaccurate, and carelessly done. Various selections of the above versions have been made, and are used in many churches, but they are all deficient, and inadequate for the purpose of public worship. Dr. Isaac Watts's version of the Psalms is better adapted to Christian worship; but, perhaps, he has now and then taken too much pains to turn some of the Psalms to express an evangelical meaning, which evidently have no such reference: upon the whole, his version is good. A judicious selection from him, and the old and new versions, and a colleotion of all the best and unexceptionable hymns extant, is a work much wanted.* Such a compilation, made and sanctioned by authority, would perhaps tend in a great

The writer is aware that several such selections are published, but he is of opinion that a better selection is still wanted for general use in our church.

measure to reform and improve the singing in our churches. We might then hope to hear the great congregation lifting up heart and voice in melody of praise to Jehovah. We might expect to see an increase of devotion and spirituality in the public worship, and of genuine piety among the people.

The Psalmist says, in Psa. xlvii, 7, "Sing ye praises with understanding :" i. e. sense and sound should always go together-hearts and tongues should unite with the voice: and what is sung should be understood and felt. This is the only way to sing with the spirit, and with the understanding.

"Rehearse his praise with awe profound,
Let knowledge lead the song ;

Nor mock him with a solemn sound
Upon a thoughtless tongue."

The following lines beautifully express the spirit which should animate us when we sing praises to God.

"With all my powers of heart and tongue,
I'll praise my Maker in my song:

Angels shall hear the notes I raise,
Approve the song, and join the praise.”

ESSAY V.

ON READING

THE SCRIPTURES IN

PUBLIC WORSHIP.

Luke iv, 16. "As his custom was, he went into the Synagogue on the Sabbath-day, and stood up for to read.

UNDER the Mosaic dispensation, every seventh year was a sabbatical year, or a year of rest; the people's minds then being under a peculiar degree of solemnity, and so were better disposed to hear and profit by the word of God; therefore a commandment was given to read the law publicly every seven years," before all Israel in their hearing." Deut. xxxi, 11. Though we do not find from the Scriptures that this command was regularly attended to, yet we learn hence the benefit of reading the word of God publicly to the people.

In the public worship at the synagogues, the Scriptures of the Old Testament were

ON READING THE SCRIPTURES, &c. 59

always read. The whole law of Moses was divided into lessons or sections, which were read through in the course of a year: and also the writings of the prophets were in the same manner divided into proper lessons, and read together with the law: see Acts xv, 21; xiii, 15; Luke iv, 16, &c.

From this custom of the Jews, the Christian church has adopted the practice of reading proper lessons out of the Old and New Testament in the public services, with certain portions of the Epistles and Gospels. Our public service commences with reading a few short passages of Scripture, a practice highly proper and useful, as it has a tendency to compose the thoughts, and so to prepare the minds of the worshippers for the solemn worship before them. It is certainly a remarkable excellency of our Liturgical service, that there is so large a portion of Scripture appointed to be read to the people. Eight chapters of Holy Scripture on an average, including the Psalms, are read publicly on every Sabbath day in the church of England. There is no other mode of public worship in existence, which enjoins so much of the word of God to be read to the people. Our apos

tolical and venerable church even in this, excels all other denominations of Christians in the world.

As the doctrines of the Church of England are the doctrines of the Bible, which are clearly and fully stated in the Articles and Homilies, it is with great propriety that the Scriptures are appointed to be read in the public services of our church: for "all Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.' 2 Tim. iii, 16.

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The direction in the rubric of our Liturgy how to read the appointed lessons in the public service, should be particularly attended to by every officiating minister; where it is directed to read them with an audible voice, so standing and turning themselves, as they may best be heard of all such as are present:" and, in the "admonition to all ministers ecclesiastical, prefixed to the Book of Homilies, it is required" to read the sacred Scrip"to tures aptly, plainly, and distinctly." He that readeth should understand; and to read "with the understanding" will have a great effect in commanding the attention of the

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