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Alamoth, and Mattithiah and Elipheleh, and Miknejah and Obed-Edom, and Jeiel and Azaziaḥ, with harps on the Sheminith to excel; and Chenaniah, chief of the Levites was for song; he instructed about the song because he was skilful.”—It appears from Esdras that this college of musicians was denominated the "Holy Singers," and from Ezekiel *that they had apartments in the inner court of the temple.

Thus evident is it, that Choir-service is strictly of scriptural character and origin. But among the extraordinary allegations of the present day is the revival of an ancient objection founded upon the strange notions, that sacred music, as part of a Liturgy, is inconsistent with the simplicity of christian worship; that music may be performed or heard without devotional feelings, and that it is discountenanced in a particular text, to which I shall soon advert. These notions have been industriously propagated, and I am sorry to say injuriously, as to the publick good, for the mischievous purpose of preventing music being made auxiliary to charity; because patronage and encouragement may thus be given to performers or auditors, who may not be persons of religious or moral character. The fallacy, trickery, and pseudo-theology of these

*

*Ezekiel, XL. 44. Crellii ii, Ethica Christianæ, p. 349.

The circumstance alluded to occurred at the last Norwich
Musical Festival,

notions, ought in a strict sense, not to be noticed, because, he who would improve upon the dictates of the Holy Spirit is rather to be pitied than confuted. Nevertheless, as all men are not divines or students of holy writ, a concise exposure may be beneficial. David was an inspired writer and if any objections to the connection of music with devotion were ever well founded they were as valid in the days of David, as they are now. As to any inconsistency with the simplicity of christian worship, we may ask, whether St. Paul and St. James would have sanctioned such an incorporation, if they had disapproved of it, for that they did sanction it is unquestionable? would the Almighty himself have chosen, that the Liturgy used before his throne should be musical? As to the supposed patronage thus given to irreligion or immorality, surely they who are bad may be made better, but cannot be made worse, by a connection of the art, with religion or virtue; nor can it be admitted, that the abuse of a thing is any argument against the use of it, since by the same mode of reasoning men ought not to have hands, lest they should commit murder with them. The text quoted from St. Paul as prohibitory of musical aids to devotion is that in the Epistle to the Ephesians; * where the Apostle, after mentioning psalms and hymns directs them to make melody in their hearts. This phrase has been

* V. 19.

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less merriment and yet does not destroy its felicity. It teaches the mourner, that there may be a joy in griefitself Does not the very power of producing such wonderful effects, show that the production of fine sounds is a condescension of providence, allowed to us for the benevolent purpose of elicits ing part of the divine attributes? may there not be vision in sounds, and colours in words? áre there not Sun-rise and Sun-set, golden clouds, blue skies, and gay domenolehows in the varied atmos. phere of music? are not lightnings, thunders, to mod viso and all the mightiest impressions of the senses to be effected by sounds? will not the trumpet alone of

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