The chant used by the first Christians-attempts to fix the meaning of Recitative, Anthem, Psalm, Hymn, and Song-the Hymns which our Saviour and his Disciples sung considered-Antiphonal form of sing- ing noticed-Pagan music early introduced into the church-Anthemic music defended by many considerations-many persons not able to appreciate it-various objections met-Rev. C. Wesley's defence of it quoted-Richd. Baxter and J. Wesley quoted-mode of singing by the Wesleyans, Independents, Church of England, in America, Scotland, &c.-Musical Festivals considered-distinguished singers noticed..... 262 The moral character of singers important-early [attendance necessary- tunes should be selected before service begins-occasional improprieties of preachers in starting tunes, &c.-necessity of putting right tunes to hymns-new tunes should be introduced with caution-on the use of notes in public worship-on the management of the breath, modulation, General observations on psalmody, its importance-many poor psalms and hymns in use-the greatest poets not always the best hymn writers- the hymnic capabilities of Cowley, Dryden, Pope, Gray, Goldsmith, Burns and Bloomfield referred to-notices of the psalms of Sternhold and Hopkins, Brady and Tate, Addison, Doddridge, Bishop Kenn, MUSIC OF THE CHURCH. PART I. CHAPTER I. General advantages of the study of history—conjectures on the origin of vocal music-formed a part of the primitive pleasures of man-Dr. J. Johnson quoted-the charms of musical sound in conversation-would be likely to manifest itself in song—the vocal powers of man suffered by the fall-Dr. Pye Smith quoted-Milton quoted—instrumental music early mentioned in the Bible-but little said of it-the science must then have been known, and the arts practised. THERE are few persons but what take pleasure in tracing out the origin and progress of a favourite study. And this feeling is so general, that it is not confined to literary, mechanical, or scientific pursuits, but it glows and expands in the breast of the least tutored of the "humble poor," as his enquiries cling to all that is interesting in the obscure village, or business, with which he is immediately connected. And no person can ascend the stream of time with a design to inform himself on any particular B subject, without at the same time having his views involuntarily enlarged, and making, at a cheap rate, the most valuable acquisitions. Indeed, though we may partially fail in the main object of our search, so numerous are the circumstances and tracks of thought that branch out from the main course of our study, and so filled with instructive lessons, that we shall be more and more reconciled to our disappointment, and encouraged again and again, with increased facilities to extend the boundaries of our knowledge. To the person whose soul is imbued with a love of music in any of its forms, these preliminary observations are unnecessary to stimulate him to travel with the author in endeavouring to point out its origin, to survey its developements, to admire its contributions to the sum of human happiness; and to deplore its abuse, either by its avowed enemies, or by its too sanguine and inconsiderate friends. Yet, to tardy and less interested readers, some of whom may take up this little book, such considerations may tend to reconcile them to disappointment, and give edge to inquiry, by opening out to them new avenues of thought. Numerous have been the conjectures put forth by writers on the origin of music, both as regards the form it first assumed, and as to when it was reduced to a tolerably regular system; and also as to the attention paid to it, and the influence it exerted in the early ages of the world. It is very easy to see the propriety of many things after they have been brought into useful and pleasurable practice, and to wonder at the simplicity of the world in not having discovered them sooner. But passing over the lapse of ages to the period ere the hand of science had framed a system, as a body in which the spirit of music might dwell, where it might be studied to advantage, it seems difficult to view man in any part of his history, however remote, or however rude, without connecting with him some taste for music, and the practice of vocal melody. Pleasure must be considered one of the main attractions to human exertions; and to bring it within our grasp, every power, both of body and mind, will, for its attainment, be laid under requisition. The senses mutually aid each other in furnishing impressions to the mind, or rather to the brain; and the mind, acting under laws deeply mysterious, governing at once the material and the immaterial world, derives pleasure from its various modifications. "No art or science that ever was invented by the ingenuity of man exerts so powerful an influence over body and mind as music. It is the galvanised fluid of harmony which vibrates on the ear, electrifies the soul, thrills through every nerve of the body. The stimulus of music is of a very subtil and diffusible nature, and the excitement it produces in the nervous system is of a peculiar character, by no |