7. Now, if it be inexpedient to coufine parochial Psalmody to any versions of the Psalms, à fortiori, must it be so to restrict us to one or two versions, even though these should be the versions of Hopkins and Sternhold, and of Tate and Brady. Concerning these particular versions, it may be affirmed, that men of taste and learning have not always held them in the same high degree of estimation with which the bishop of Peterborough appears to regard them. The subjoined passage from the Rev. Basil Woodd's Preface to his new metrical version, recently published, and dedicated, by permission, to the Bishop of Durham, will serve to throw some light upon the point. "The following observations on the general subject are transcribed from Dr. Tattersall's preface to his improved Psalmody. 1794. "Alterations, both partial and general, have already been allowed withont ill consequence; and most of the rulers of the church have seen and declared the necessity of some further amendment.' "Archbishop Secker observes,' It is very true, the verse translation gene. rally used is void of ornament, and hath expressions often low and flat, and sometimes obsolete: I wish a better substituted in its place.' "Dr. Lowth, late bishop of London, always honoured Mr. Merrick, by corresponding with him on his translation of the Psalms, and furnishing him with his own remarks to forward its success. "Dr. Horne, late bishop of Norwich, was desirous that the version of Mr. Merrick should be adopted; and introduced several Psalms from it into the University Church of St. Mary's, Oxford. "Dr. Wilson, bishop of Bristol, expressed his earnest wishes to see a good version of the Psalms perfected for the use of a parochial congregation. "It was remarked by the Rev. Dr. Vincent, that in the versification of Sternhold and Hopkins, there are few stanzas which do not give offence or excite ridicule. Dr. Brown observes of the new version of Brady and Tate, that Though not excellent, it is not intoler able. It has also been remarked, that if Psalmody were once restored to its original rank and estimation, it would become an object of regard to the rul ing powers to have this whole matter reconsidered and revised, and that in that case it would not be difficult to form a collection from different authors, which I would do honour to our own, or any other church. Such a collection also might be acceptable to the retirement of domestic life, and assist the master of a family in the high gratification of seeing his children and dependants form Redeemer. (See Dr. Vincent's Consi a choir to the glory of their Creator and derations on Parochial Music, 1787.) "The use of the new version seems to be rapidly declining. It has been frequently and justly objected to it, that it is frigid, often unconnected, inauimate, and defective in presenting that view of the Christian church, and of the sufferings and triumph of the Messiah, which adapts the Book of Psalms to Christian worship. This deficiency has been so strongly felt, that hymns appropriated to the New Testament dispensation have been added as an Appendix to the old and new versions. The So eiety for promoting Christian Knowledge has printed, separately, as a supplement to the new version, bymns of prayer and praise to the Holy Spirit, with others on the Nativity, Resurrection, and holy Communion, and also the Benedictus, Magnificat, &c. "In the year 1814, Mr. Gardiner published Psalms and Hymns adapted to sacred Melodies, allowed to be sung in Churches.' His present majesty, at that time Prince Regent, and the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, are patrons of the work: it was also dedicated by permission to his Royal Highness. "In the year 1815, were published by the Rev. Messrs. Maltby, Tillard, and Banks, Psalms and Hymns, selected for the Use of Congregations in the United Church of England and Ireland.' This selection was sanctioned by the high authority of Bishop Tomline, then presiding over the diocese of Lincoln. It was introduced at Buckden church and in other neighbouring parishes."-Basil Woodd's Preface, pp. 4-6. In order to remove some of the objections which a Christian of taste would necessarily make to several stanzes, especially in the old version, Mr. Kennedy, as we have 6 "Ancient English poetry, like ancient English architecture, is, in its original form, venerable and interesting, though often rude and grotesque; but, when attempted to be improved and modernised, it is marred and disfigured. Of this the oldversion furnishes an example. It has received,whatFullerquaintly calls, a new nap;' so that its genuine original texture is at present scarcely distinguishable. On this subject Mr. Warton observes, Attempts have been made from time to time to modernize this ancient metrical version, and to render it more tolerable and intelligible, by the substitution of more familiar modes of diction. But to say nothing of the unskilfulness with which these arbitrary corrections have been conducted, by changing obsolete for known We will not offend the gravity or devout feelings of our readers by the juxta-position of unconnected verses, such as a person of bad taste and bad principles might possibly make from the old version: to possibilities in matters of this kind there is scarcely any limit of absurdity. words, the texture and integrity of the original style, such as it was, has been destroyed; and many stanzas, before too naked and weak, like a plain old Gothic edifice stripped of its few signatures of antiquity, have lost that little and almost only strength and support which they derived from ancient phrases. Such alterations, even if executed with prudence and judgment, only corrupt what they endeavour to explain, and exhibit a motley performance, belonging to no character of writing, and which contains more improprieties than those which it professes to remove.' Gray on Psalmody, p. 30. The bishop of Peterborough exclaims loudly against all arbitrary corrections. Assuming that the old version is an authorised version, he demands, "Has any individual clergyman a right to use in his church either the old or the new version, in any other form than that in which they received the royal permission? It is true, that the new as well as the old version, may be in some parts so altered, as to improve the version. The same may be also true in some parts of the prose translation of the Psalms, whether it be the translation which is printed in the Bible, or the translation which is printed in the Prayer-book. But whatever opinion a clergyman may entertain in his individual capacity, he has no right when he officiates as minister of the church to oppose his private opinion to public authority. And there is the same reason for adhering to an authorised translation in verse, as to an authorised translation in prose. The obligation is the same in both cases: and in either case a deviation may be attended with the same danger. Alterations in the former may be made a cloke for the introduction of false doctrines no less than alterations in the latter. And the only security against the introduction of false doctrines is a rigid adherence to those translations of the Bible, whether in prose or in verse, which, after due examination by the best judges, have been allowed by royal authority.”—Bp. of Peterborough's Charge, pp. 36, 37. We are therefore to go back to the original editions. The earliest in our own possession is that of 1599, which does not appear to differ materially from those of a previous date noticed by Mr. Gray. It is not foreign to our purpose to compare one or two Psalms, to which our tuneful voices would be set by bishop Marsh, with some of those which, according to very general usage, we may venture to adopt. PSALM xlii. Old Version. Like as the hart doth breathe and bray So doth my soule desire alway Turn, turn to Him, in every pain, Whom never suppliant sought in vain, Thy strength in joy's ecstatic day, Thy hope when joy has pass'd away. J. BOWDLER, jun. PSALM CXxiii. Old Version. As handmaids watch their mistres hands, So we behold the Lord our God, My soul doth thirst and would draw Lord, grant us thy compassion, neare, The living God of might: Oh when shall I come and appeare The teares all times are my repast When I did march in good array, Same Psalm. Modern Version. To chide my woe and mock my fear, And mercy in thy sight; 'For we are filled and overcome With hatred and despite. Our minds be stuff'd with great rebuke: The rich and worldly wise, Doe make of us their mocking stockes, The proud doe us despise. Same Psalm. Modern Version. Lord, before thy throne we bend; Bound to earth and rooted here, J. BOWDLER, jun. The modern versions of these Psalms are taken from a beautiful selection of Poems, Divine and Moral, by John Bowdler, Esq., and prefixed to them is the name of his excellent and highly-gifted son: now surely it is a hard rule which would banish, for the sake of Hopkins and Sternhold, such delightful compositions as those of the late Mr. Bowdler! Perhaps it may be hinted that we have rather mischievously placed by the side of each other some of the worst Psalms of the Puritans, with some of the best effusions of modern piety and genius. If the latter part of the charge imply any condemnation, we have no objection to plead guilty: Mr. Bowdler's compositions are undoubtedly excellent; but certainly no person conversant with the old version will accuse us of unfair selection, as far as respects Hopkins and Sternhold. We might, with Mr. Gray's book before us, indulge our readers with many specimens of the following description. PSALM XXX. 5. Though gripes of grief, and pangs full sore, Shall lodge with us all night; The Lord to joy shall us restore, Before the day be light. PSALM XXXV. 15, &c. As they had bene my brethren deare, As one that maketh woefull cheere, About his mother's graue. But they at my disease did ioy, PSALM xliv. 25. For downe to dust our soule is brought, We abstain from further extracts: it seemed necessary to produce these passages to shew the taste and delicacy which sometimes meet us in one of the versions to which the learned prelate would confine us, especially as it is now become almost obsolete. The new version is, doubtless, of a different character: if it do not equal the other in spirituality, it is much superior in its suitableness to modern congregations: but for reasons previously assigned, it fails in several points, which are highly important to the Christian worshipper. This version is so well known, that we abstain from further remarks upon it. 8. Is it, then, expedient to introduce a new selection of Psalms, with the addition of appropriate hymns, into our churches? We answer in the affirmative: and till this shall be done by competent authority, it is expedient and desirable that individuals should provide such compilations for themselves. From the various versions of Psalms, or portions of them, which are now before the public, such as Merrick's, Watts's, Goode's, B. Woodd's, Montgomery's, Lowe's, the old and new versions, &c. &c. a selection might be made without difficulty, which would afford great satisfaction to every intelligent and devotional mind. The question of hymns may perhaps seem to stand upon a different ground: and, if we are rightly in But Lord thou seest what waies they formed, the introduction of them take, Cease not this geare to mend : Be not farre off, nor me forsake, Let not their harts reioyce and cry, There, there, this geare goeth trim; Nor gene them cause to say on bye, We haue our will on hym. CHRIST. OBSERV. No. 247. in particular cases has been regarded with more than usual suspicion. The proceeding in the Consistory Court of York, in the suit of certain persons who were scandalized at the introduction into a church at Sheffield," of certain 3 L Jews? hymns, and a version of Psalms, had been the Psalms of David only, not permitted by any lawful autho- in what respect would their singing rity," is well known to most of have distinguished them from the our readers; and we refer to it at present merely for the purpose of noting the additional testimony given by his Grace the Archbishop of York, in favour of the practice of introducing hymns, as well as Psalms, into the public service. The Archbishop, with a kindness and liberality which reflect honour upon him as a Christian prelate, acted as mediator between the parties; and, to put an end to contention, undertook to compile, for the use of that church, a new, selection of Psalms and hymns, and to print them at his own expense. Mr. Vernon sat as judge in the Consistory Court, and presided in, a manner which has secured to him the cordial respect of all candid and moderate men. The remarks which we have previously cited as Mr. Vernon's, were made in the course of this trial. An account of, the proceedings is given by Mr. Gray, section 6. We conceive that several arguments may be adduced in favour of hymns, as well as of selections from the Psalms: the following may suffice. We will notice, 1. The antiquity of the custom of singing hymns. Hymns, we find, have always been used in Christian congregations. Pliny, in his well-known letter to Trajan, written in the beginning of the second century, represents it to be the custom of the Christians to meet together, and sing a hymn to Christ, as God; and we have the testimony of several fathers of, the church, to the antiquity of the practice: If the hymns of the Christians "The learned Mr. Bingham remarks, that the alternative singing spoken of by ancient historians, as brought in by St. Ignatius, was not of David's Psalms, but of hymns, composed by him to set forth the Divinity of Jesus Christ. In the fragments, preserved by Eusebius, of the writings of Caius, a Roman Presbyter, who lived in the latter end of the second century, it is recorded, that hymns composed by the brethren, and 'there were anciently many psalms and transcribed by the faithful, setting forth the praises of Christ, as the Word of God, and declaring the Divinity of his person St. Basil remarks, that the Hymnus Lucernalis, sung in the evening service, and containing a glorifica tion of the Holy Trinity, was of such, ancient use in the church, that he knew not who was the author of it. St. Ambrose composed several hymns in Latin to the glory of the Holy Trinity, for the people to sing in the church. St. Jerom speaks of the whole church as sounding out hymns to Christ their Lord in their nocturnal vigils. "In the middle of the third century, Paulus Samosatensis, an heretical bishop of Antioch, who forbade the use of psalms and hymns in honour of our Lord Jesus Christ, was deposed. "St. Chrysostom in his ninth homily on the second chapter of Colossians, comments on St. Paul's exhortation to the use of psalms and hymns. By the word psalms he understands the Psalms of David, which were sung in the church by the whole congregation, including the catechumens, penitents, and uninitiated. The word 'hymns he applies to the liturgical hymns, which were not permitted to be sung by the catechumens, penitents, and uninitiat ed, but only by the faithful, who were admitted to the holy sacramental mysteries."-Gray on Psalmody, pp. 56— 58. But these hymns, it may be said,, is without point. were not metrical. The objection 2. The prevailing use of modern selections of Psalms and hymns, and the popularity which they have: acquired with congregations. These facts are universally admitted. |