his Providence, whose eyes are continually upon his people, and who delights to do them good! They, who cannot relish such an exercise are to be pitied as being yet strangers to the chief good and proper dignity of man. works of this The first line subject, and Before such As it may be inquired why I have given no table of first lines so common in kind, I shall assign my reasons. does not necessarily lead to the frequently cannot be recollected. a table can be of much use, the whole book must be familiar to the mind, and the memory charged with a considerable part of the contents. The plan requires a more minute ac quaintance with the hymn book than most Christians have with the scripture itself: and this circumstance, as I conceive, gives these publications a consequence somewhat higher than they can reasonably claim. But a clear and regular arrangement of the subjects, in a connection which they naturally have with each other, appears to me a far more certain and expeditious mode of reference. I am mistaken if the simple method here adopted will not render useless both a table of first lines, and a long and crowded index, which after a tedious and perplexing search may at last disappoint the person that makes it. I am unwilling to conclude without a word of serious admonition to the reader. If God has given you a talent to sing, it is, that you may use it to his glory, and I intreat you to regard it as a duty. Whatever he has commanded, as this so frequently is in his word, cannot be wilfully neglected without sin. When you remain silent, though able to sing, whilst others around you are engaged in this animating part of the service, consider what that silence implies. Does it not too plainly inti mate, that you feel no interest in it, that you see no excellence in Christ, are not conscious of a f any obligations to him, and have no delight in his ways? You must soon quit the body; but O how unfit, in such a state, to appear before HIM, who inhabiteth the praises of his people! But it may be that you are in the habit of joining in this duty at all opportunities, and that you find a pleasure when thus engaged. It concerns you then to inquire whether the pleasure you receive be pure and spiritual, flow ing from holy affections and the love of Jesus in the heart; or whether it arises merely from the melodious combination of sounds? The latter, it is granted, may recommend the subject, and increase our gratification; but it is not the source of religious joy. When the mu sical part of the performance is made the first concern, and the subject itself only a secon dary one, or regarded with indifference, it shews the mind is unsanctified, and not duly prepared for this holy exercise. Have you indeed begun to employ this your talent in the cause of wisdom and truth? Then beware, that you never exercise it again in support of folly and corruption. How dreadful the thought, that any, after singing the praises of the Lamb, should join in the song of drunkards!--that the same lips which extolled the grace, by which the flesh and the world are subdued, should choose for a theme the pleasures of sensuality and the vain glories of the world! Happy are they who can, as the Psalmist did, make "the statutes of God their songs in the house of their pilgrimage." While his truths are their delight, and himself their only dependance, they will sing with grace in their heart. But it is their obedience to his commands, which must prove that their praises are sincere, and their hearts right with him. They will then find him a present help in trouble, and their joy no man taketh from them. Debenham, Sept. 28th, 1819. THE GENERAL SUBJECT OF EACH SECTION. Sect. 1. Praise, begins at 2. The Attributes of God .... 3. The Scriptures 4. Man, Sin, the World, &c... 5. The Gospel.... 6. Warnings and Invitations 7. The Sabbath and Public Worship....86 8. Prayer, Preaching, &c. 9. 103 The Birth, Sufferings, &c. of Christ 123 10. Names, Titles, &c. of Christ ...... 143 11. Names and Operations of the Holy Spirit........ 12. Christian Graces, Faith, Hope, Various Christian Graces... 13. 172 Love 183 .209 239 283 14. The Christian Character, Good Works, &c.... 23. Death, the Resurrection, Judgment 344 .349 359 368 24. The future State of the Righteous.. 378 THE PARTICULAR SUBJECTS OF THE HYMNS. When a Psalm, or part of a Psalm is given out, let the Page be mentioned where it is found. For instance, the 100th Psalm at the 70th Page. The 1st part of the 84th Psalm at the 97th Page. The original Compositions are marked (*) Section 1. Praise. * Praise a duty Exhortation to Praise The believer exciting his soul to Praise Invitation to Praise Praise to God our Preserver Page: 3 4 4 5 6 7 8 The whole Creation invited to praise the Lord 8 Sect. 2. The Attributes of God. |