ciently authenticated in sacred and profane history, that, in the days of David and Solomon, the Jews were celebrated for their cunning in song; and also when they hung up their harps by the waters of Babylon. Since then the pen of history has had little to note respecting them, excepting their fallen state. The traces however of their former greatness in song, may be daily met with in those, who, from their poverty, can have no musical advantages; and yet their natural flexibility of voice, and nicety of ear, guide them in the execution of cadences and complex divisions, that might shame many of our public singers ;-and those who have listened with enthusiastic delight to the sweet strains of Leoni, the perfect and masterly tones of a Braham, and the withering ballads of Mrs. Bland, will all bear testimony, that the power of song has not forsaken them."* MUSIC OF THE CHURCH. PART III. CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTORY. The conflict of opinions among professors of Christianity—music rejected by the Quakers in Divine worship-held in various repute among diferent denominations-its intimate connexion with preaching and prayer—the order of the discussion stated. THOSE persons who cordially receive the gospel as a system of "spirit and life" to the world, and of glory to God, and who bind up their own individual happiness with its success, cannot but deplore the differences of opinion which exist among Christians, apart from doctrinal disputes, on the manner by which its great ends should be accomplished in the exercise of its established ministry. It will be sufficient to call up before the vision of the reader a host of writers in the different positions of aggressive and defensive warfare on this point, to instance-preaching written or unwritten sermons, extemporary or forms of prayer,—the mode of taking the Lord's supper, the various schemes - |