The Parting Hymn.

MATTHEW xxvi. 30.

"And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives."

WE are too apt to regard music as a human art, or invention, just because men make certain musical instruments, and compose certain musical pieces. And hence there are Christians who would banish music from the public worship of God; as though unsuited to, or unworthy of, so high and illustrious an employment. But it is forgotten, as has been observed by a well-known writer,* that the principles of harmony are in the elements of nature; that "the element of air was as certainly ordained to give us harmonious sounds, in due measure, as to give respiration to the lungs." God has given us "music in the air, as He hath given us wine in the grape;" leaving it to man to draw forth the rich melody, as well as to extract the inspiring juice: but designing that both should be employed to His glory, and used in His service. Wine was eminently consecrated for religion, when chosen as the sacramental representation of the

Jones, of Nayland.}

precious blood of the Redeemer; and a holy distinction ought never to be denied to music, whilst the Psalmist, speaking undoubtedly by the Spirit of God, exclaims, "Praise Him with stringed instruments and organs: praise Him upon the loud cymbals praise Him upon the high sounding cymbals."

It is not, however, instrumental music which is mentioned in the text. "They sang a hymn." There is another remarkable instance, recorded in the New Testament, of God's praises having been sung at a strange time, and in a strange place. Paul and Silas, thrust into the inner prison at Philippi, and with their feet made fast in the stocks, had recourse to singing; as though their condition had been prosperous, and their spirits elated. "And at midnight, Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them." They were not content with reminding each the other of the goodness of God; with speaking of His greatness and loving kindness: "they sang praises unto God;" and that, too, with so loud a voice, that the other prisoners heard them, though confined in the remotest part of the dungeon. In like manner, Christ and His apostles "sang an hymn;" they were not satisfied with repeating an hymn: and we may certainly gather from this, that God's praises ought to be sung rather than spoken; that singing is the more appropriate vehicle, even when circumstances may be such as to make music seem almost out of place.

It may, we think, fairly be said, that the power of singing has not been sufficiently considered as one of the Creator's gifts to His creatures; and, therefore, intended to be used to His glory. We

recognise this fact in regard of the power of speech; we acknowledge that God must have endowed man with the faculty of uttering articulate sounds, and have clothed his tongue with language; and we confess that this very fact renders us responsible, in a high sense, for our words, and destroys all surprise that words are to be made a criterion at the last. A noble gift is abused whenever an idle word is spoken; why, then, should we marvel at the assertion of our Lord, "I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned."*

But singing, like music in general, has been too much given up by the church to the world: it has not been sufficiently considered and cultivated, as designed for religious ends, and helpful to religious feelings. And hence, for the most part, our psalmody is discreditable to our congregations: it is either given over to a few hired singers-as though we were to praise God by deputy-or is left with the children of the National Schoolsas though, in growing older, we had less cause for thankfulness. Let me say, that the efforts which are now being systematically made throughout the country, to teach our population to sing, should be regarded with great interest and pleasure by the Christian. Such efforts have a more immediate bearing than is, perhaps, commonly thought, on the national piety. I do not mean merely that there is a humanising power in music; and that the poor, taught to sing, are likely to be less wild,

* Matthew xii. 36, 37.

and less prone to disorder, and therefore more accessible to the ministrations of religion. Not, indeed, that I would make no account of this; for I thoroughly believe that, in improving the tastes of a people, you are doing much for their moral advancement. I like to see our cottagers encouraged to train the rose and the honeysuckle round their doors; and our weavers, as is often the fact, dividing their attention between their looms and their carnations: for the man who can take care of a flower, and who is all alive to its beauty, is far less likely than another who has no delight in such recreations, to give himself up to gross lusts and habits. But independently of this, if singing were generally taught, the psalmody in our churches could not fail to be generally improved. And I am quite sure that this could not take place without, by the blessing of God, a great spiritual benefit. When many voices join heartily in prayer, it is hardly possible to remain undevout; when many voices join heartily in praise, it is hardly possible to remain indifferent. Every one feels this. In a congregation where the responses are generally left to the clerk and the children, how difficult it is to pray! whereas, if the majority join, one is drawn in almost unconsciously, and cannot keep back his cordial Amen. Thus, also, in a congregation where few attempt to sing, how difficult is it to magnify the Lord ! But who can resist the rush of many voices? Whose bosom does not swell, as old and young, rich and poor, mingle their notes of adoration and thankfulness?

You may tell me that there is not necessarily any religion in all this emotion. I know that; and I would not have you mistake emotion for

religion. But we are creatures so constituted as to be acted on through our senses and feelings; and whilst emotion is not religion, it will often be a great step towards it. In teaching a people to sing with the voice "the songs of Zion," we cannot but believe that, God helping, much is done towards teaching them to sing with the understanding and the heart. A faculty is developed, which God designed for His glory, but which has, comparatively, been allowed to remain almost useless. Yes, Yes, a faculty which God designed for His glory; and if so designed, it cannot be idle without injury, nor be rightly exercised without advantage. And I seem to learn from our text, that it is not enough that we praise God with speech. Christ and His apostles "sang an hymn" ere "they went out into the mount of Olives.' What had music, cheerful and animated music,* to do with so sad and solemn an occasion? Nay, there is music in heaven. They who stand on the "sea of glass mingled with fire," have the "harps of God" in their hands; they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb. Why then should music ever be out of place with those whose affections are above?

We wish you to draw this lesson from the last action of Christ and His apostles, before they went forth to extraordinary trial. We wish you to observe and understand, that so far from being unsuited to circumstances of trouble and danger, the song of praise should, at least, mingle with the cry of prayer; and that, if you would arm yourselves for duty, you should recount the marvellous acts of the Lord, as well as supplicate the com

* 113th and five following Psalms.