and the glowing energy of the music of his soul, we were indebted for some of his most pathetic, jubilant, and spirit-stirring strains. The power of melody and harmony, was always employed in the Jewish Temple, to give interest to its solemn services, and to exalt the contemplation of the worshipper to the presiding Divinity; and in every age of the Christian Church, from its first establishment to this our day, the praises of the faithful have constantly ascended, upborne on the wings of melody; and what more interesting than the full and swelling chorus of Christian praise! To hear the mingling voices of a congregation pouring forth loud paans to the Almighty King! What heart does not glow with new fires, and what bosom does not throb with mysterious rapture! But alas! how different is the exhibition, which we are too frequently called to witness! How tame and insipid, how vain and irrational, how cold and deadening the effect, when the tuneful voices are confined to the choir, with here and there a timid and half-suppressed attempt to take a part in the concert! How deeply to be deplored is it, that there should be so general a disposition to devolve this delightful exercise upon those who are appointed to lead it! Under such circumstances, however scientific and well performed the music, yet as to all devotional effect, as to the purposes in reference to which alone it is admissible, it is altogether nugatory, an unmeaning and an unprofitable pageant. One more censure, and I have done. In tracing out the instances of defective, or impressive performance of our service, it would be an omission to pass by the irreverent and unbecoming haste too commonly observable in leaving the house of God. Much has been said on this point, on former occasions, but the conviction that we have been rather retrograding of late, prompts a renewed effort to correct what is justly considered a blemish in our deportment in the worship of God. What more deserves the imputation, than the flurry and the impatience, the unseemly rush and tumult, the frivolity and inconsideration, so often exhibited immediately upon the dismission of the congretion. How incongruous with that frame of mind, with which we ought to leave the Lord's Temple ! How destructive of all serious recollection, of all hopeful impression! How fraught with disrespect and irreverence to Him, in whose especial presence we stand, to betray uneasiness in his service and an inordinate sensibility to its restraints, by rushing from his courts! I would not be thought superstitious, nor would I exact from you any compliance justly obnoxious to such an imputation. But I know not what is meant by the solemn and impressive service by which this Church has been consecrated to the Almighty, if it was not to invest it with an ideal sanctity, which should always claim a correspondent respect and reverence: and this too, founded upon that principle of our nature, the law of association, so operative and influential in every department, and never subservient to more salutary purposes, than when it is called in to give sacredness to the edifices and to all the institutions of our holy religion. This consideration should induce a reverential deportment at all times, in reference to the house of God. At our coming in, and going out; while within the sacred inclosure, whether for purposes of stated worship, or for casual occasions; in any situation that brings us within the operation of this principle, we should exhibit a becoming sensibility to its influence. A just regard to this principle would itself correct the fault under notice. But when it is considered, moreover, how inconsistent it is with the solemnity of the duty in which we have been professedly engaged; how destructive of all good impressions; how demonstrative of a vain and thoughtless temperament; it will be acknowledged that there is abundant ground and reason for this censure, which is given in the hope that it may induce to an improvement in this respect that our manner of leaving the house of God, may correspond with the deportment which has been recommended as becoming the duties in which we have been engaged: that our irreverent haste may give place to the solemn pause, and the silent ejaculations; and our unseasonable and inconsiderate converse, to that thoughtful and serious mood and bearing, which would evince that the service in which we have been engaged was not without some impression, and that we were not insensible to its object and meaning. I have thus, my brethren endeavoured faithfully, but with con scious imperfection, to explain the meaning of the service which you here profess to render to God; to demonstrate the adaptation of the Liturgy to the just expression of that meaning; and to point out some defects in the manner of performing that service. The specification under the last head, has not been without extreme pain. You will believe me when I say that there is nothing more repugnant to my feelings than the office of a censor, and you will acknowledge that my censures have not been undeserved. I have endeavoured to discharge my duty, and in that consciousness I solicit your indulgent consideration of what has been said, and humbly implore the divine blessing upon it. AMEN. CHRISTIAN WORSHIP. In thy great name, O Lord, we come-- Oh! pour thy Holy Spirit down We come to hear Jehovah speak, Teach us to pray and praise, and fear, To feel thy blissful presence near, Here let thy power, and grace be felt; Thy love, and mercy known; Our icy hearts, dear Jesus melt, And break this flinty stone. Let sinners, Lord, thy goodness prove, Let rebels be subdued by love, And to the Saviour flee. This house with grace, and glory fill, This congregation bless Thy great salvation now reveal ; Thy glorious righteousness. THE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL PULPIT. VOL. IV.] SERMON BY THE REV. NATHANIEL S. WHEATON, D. D. HAPPINESS OR MISERY THE RESULT OF CHOICE. A Sermon, BY THE REV. NATHANIEL S. WHEATON, D. D. PRESIDENT OF WASHINGTON COLLEGE, HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT. Galatians vi. 7, 8.“ Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit, shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting." IN the practical and ordinary concerns of life, it is observable that men are rarely guilty of the absurd reasoning implied in the reproof contained in the text. There is usually a connexion, more or less obvious, between their premises and conclusions, a studious accommodation of the means to the end; and he would be justly chargeable with folly who anticipated great and happy results without a previous combination of the means and causes which are found by experience necessary to produce them. But in regard to the consideration of faith and repentance, and a course of exemplary and self-denying piety, as connected with the interests of a life to come, and a necessary means of securing the approbation of God; here, the wisdom of the wise often appears no better than foolishness; and we confidently indulge the most unwarrantable expectations, that our Maker will overlook a whole life of waywardness and error; will crown us with a wreath of victory where no battle has been fought, VOL. IV.-28 And thou thyself art one, O man of loves, and truth without alloy ! To such as thee belong The harmonies in which all heaven unite, To share the inexpressive nuptial song,' And oh! thy Church, thy home, Thy widowed home! Who shall forbid to grieve? How may they bear the desolating gloom Such partings leave? Great Shepherd of the flock! Even thou whose life was given for the sheep, And safely keep." |