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Who are the disseminators of these golden hymns to all kindreds of the earth? It is not the Jew who hath preserved them from time immemorial; it is the Jew's abhorrence. The Gentiles, who have spread afar the hymns of their fathers, or, more properly speaking, it is the visible providence of Jehovah sending forth the witness of himself to all the sons of men. Little of pure delight hath that heart tasted that never took pleasure in Zion's songs; they elevate the soul above the world's cares, they cheer the heart in the greatest sorrows, and make it to rejoice with seraphic joy.

The love of praise seems congenial to the nature of man. In his most tender years it powerfully operates on his frame. The stubborn and sullen' boy is made obedient; he even graces his face with smiles at the voice of praise, and its effects are powerfully felt in every stage of life. For it the warrior bleeds, and the scientific traveller hazards his life, and perseveres amid dangers the most alarming; and what is the praise of men but a breath without substance,-a phantom eluding the grasp of the most ardent of its followers,—a false light which attracts the eye from the path of safety? By it many have gently been carried on the stream of popular applause, fancying themselves possessed of every thing that was great and good, until its waters began to ebb, and they stranded on

the shores of neglect; then they found themselves but men, and men who had sacrificed their best interests to gain this ephemeral enjoyment.

Every exertion we make to obtain the praise of men is a deviation from truth; for neither we, nor any thing we can do, is worthy of praise. God only is perfect, and he alone can be praised in truth: he indeed is worthy of all our praise. To praise him aright the heart must accompany the words of inspiration, and realize his presence.

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is the praise of the heart he requires,-the sending forth of the language of the soul. To chant the praises of God, without realizing his presence, is vanity; the simple vocal sound can give no pleasure to spirit: it is the elevation of the soul in praise that connects the mind with God. When we sing his praise, it should be performed with reverence and devout feeling. Praise is the most exalted part of devotion; prayer is the confession of our miserable state as sinners; but praise is the employment of Heaven,-it is the rejoicing of the soul.

In common life, when the heart is cheerful, it gives expression in a song. You will hear the mechanic, the ploughman, and the housemaid, singing from morning until night at their usual toil: it cheers their spirits, enlivens their work, and deceives the time. Well would it be for Christians to imitate their example, to sing the songs of

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Zion, and make melody in their hearts to Zion's King.

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The powerful effect of songs on the manners and genius of a people has been observed, and taken advantage of by governors in all ages and in all lands; from the Indian war-songs to the European ballads, all is intended to cultivate, in the minds of the people, a spirit for war. Of old the bards sang the praises of their chieftains, and even the lowliest huts resounded with the echoes of their songs. In modern days the warriors' praise is sung at every festivity in our land. And shall Christians be the only individuals who sing the praises of their King? the all-creating God so little observed by them as not to draw forth the voice of praise? Powerful has been the effect of singing praise. When Paul and Silas sent forth the voice of praise, the foundations of their prison were shaken, and their bands were loosed; the church, in all ages, when delivered from trial, sang praise. When Luther gave his translation of the Hebrew psalms to the world they were introduced at the court of France, and were sung with the highest delight; so much so, that the priesthood trembled for their authority, and introduced lascivious songs in their place.

The saints in glory are represented as singing the praises of God to all eternity: "And they sung as it were a new song, which no man could

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learn but the redeemed from amongst men." They have a song of praise that angels have not,-they have the song of redeeming love. They once were dead in trespasses and sins; but now they are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he that sitteth on the throne dwelleth amongst them. They were once in poverty, in wretchedness, in contempt; but now they are clothed in white, and made kings and priests with God. When such is the employment of heaven, when blessed saints and angels give expression of their joy in songs of praise, it is well for Christians to begin on earth, that they may be prepared to join the choir in heaven,-to take pleasure in the songs of Zion here, that they may rejoice in the new song of heaven.

May our souls be touched with Jesus' love! May we be elevated to songs of praise! May we recount the wonders of Jehovah, and remember all his goodness towards us, and at the last may we enter on the new song of praise in heavenly places !

LETTER XXVI.

"Hark! from the tombs a doleful sound,
Mine ears attend the cry;

Ye living men, come view the ground
Where you must shortly lie.

Princes, this clay must be your bed,
In spite of all your tow'rs;

The tall, the wise, the reverend head,
Must lie as low as ours.

Great God! is this our certain doom?
And are we still secure?

Still walking downward to our tomb,
And yet prepare no more.

Grant us the powers of quick'ning grace,

To fit our souls to fly;

So when we drop this dying flesh,
We'll rise above the sky."

Edinburgh, 7th August, 1822.

HE is gone!-our beloved father is gone !-in silence he sunk into the arms of death. He embraced the king of terrors as a messenger sent by his heavenly Father to unlock the gates of everlasting day. "Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright; for the end of that man is peace! Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord." The

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