spoken jar upon our senses as upon some fretted sore; to go wearily, though willingly, through the day's work, struggling in vain against the evil humours that assail us; and to lie down at night, defeated, and ashamed, and self-reproached, for the day's impatience and ill-humour; we should learn a lesson, which as yet perhaps we know not; and, it may be, more than one: for while we learned forbearance, and indulgence, and compassion, we should not unlikely learn more gratitude to Heaven than we ever have yet felt; and instead of taking merit to ourselves for what was nature's gift, be confounded and ashamed that we have used it so selfishly, and so thoughtlessly possessed it.

SACRED MUSIC.

Then crown'd again, their golden harps they took,
Harps ever tuned, that glittering by their side
Like quivers hung, and with preamble sweet
Of charming symphony, they introduce
The charming song, and waken raptures high:
No one except, no voice but well could join
Melodious part; such concord is in Heaven.

MILTON.

But a month ago, I was invited to pass a fortnight at the house of an old and valued friend of my mother's, whom I had never seen. Her letters, however, breathed the tone of true piety; and as I was informed she had, though early left a widow, brought up a son and daughters in an exemplary manner, I had very little doubt but that my visit would prove very satisfactory. When I arrived at the pleasant mansion of Mrs. Rivers, I found only the female part of the family at home. I was welcomed by her and her daughters with real cordiality; I was much pleased with the lady of the house, and I thought the young ladies elegant and amiable. In the time which elapsed before dinner, they were busily engaged in working for the poor; and I found by their conversation, that they were deeply interested for the spiritual as well as temporal welfare of their poor dependents. I also discovered that they were well informed and accomplished; not by their quoting all the books they could remember, or by their

displaying all their portfolios of drawings; but by the general rational tone of their discourse, and by the very pretty landscapes and figures of their designing which ornamented the drawing-room. After dinner had passed off, and coffee had made its appearance, a pause ensued in our conversation, when Mrs. Rivers asked me if I was fond of music? On my replying in the affirmative, the two young ladies rose, and with great alacrity proposed playing to me. And while Caroline was arranging the music and piano-forte, and Laura tuning the harp, I could not forbear reflecting how often the pleasure awakened by the preparation for music had been damped by the cold indifference of the performers; by the reluctance with which they consented, and by the illhumour frequently displayed. But nothing of this kind now allayed my enjoyment, and after listening to some very pretty English and Italian songs, chastely and beautifully executed, Mrs. Rivers said, "Come, let us have some sacred music." The young ladies complied; and, to a common observer, it might seem as readily as they had done before; but it might be fancy, or, if I did not see less of alacrity, I certainly did see a very great willingness to finish the performance.

When they had retired to rest, their mother and I continued chatting. She spoke of the piety and amiability of her girls, and with the parent's tears springing to her eyes, she gave many instances of their self-denial, their charity, and self-control. From this subject we wandered to education, and she asked me how I liked their music and singing? I answered, as in truth I might, that seldom had 1 heard such rich execution, tempered with such judgment and expression. "I am heartily glad to hear it," rejoined Mrs, R.; "for their music, first and last,

has cost me a thousand pounds,* and they have practised six hours every day for many years; but I do wish they would sing a hymn at our family devotions: the servants like it, and would gladly join, if they would lead, but my daughters do not seem to like it, though I tell them they have no idea how much it increases the feelings of devotion." The day after this conversation was Sunday, and we went to their parish church. Like many country churches, it possessed no organ, but the girls of the Sunday-school, and a few young men and women, had been instructed by the parish clerk; and viler squalling, miscalled singing, did I never hear. But judge of my astonishment, when I saw that though my young friends held, like most of the congregation, a hymn-book in their hands, yet there was certainly no singing on their part; no, not even did I see a movement of the lip. At dinner, Mrs. R. deeply lamented the torture which every one's ear must be subject to while hearing the singing in their church. "But," added she," the parish is poor, and cannot afford to pay a good instructor." I then could not forbear mentioning that the instruction of the youth of the congregation by the young ladies might effect some reformation.

To my great astonishment they both replied, that they did not think it of such importance; that it did not signify, and that it would be a great deal of trouble. I assured them that once or twice a-week would fully answer the end designed; and I could not forbear saying, that no part of the worship of God could be of small importance. Mrs. Rivers seconded my opinion, but they remained firm, and here the subject dropped. And when I got into the retirement

*Four thousand four hundred and forty-four dollars.

of my chamber that night, I puzzled myself for some time to find out the great objection to singing in church themselves, or teaching others to sing. And when I reflected on the express injunction of the Apostle, and on the great help that harmony is, as Mrs. R. observed, to the devotion of many, I wondered why two ladies on whose music so much expense and pains had been bestowed, should think scorn to dedicate some part of their time and talents to the Almighty, (who gave them their voice and execution,) in praising him themselves, or in teaching others to praise him. Why is it that a church is the only place in which nobody with a good voice may sing, though every body with a bad one may do their utmost to annoy and distract the congregation? and what is there in sacred music instantly to damp all ardour in the performers; and why do those who could execute it with fervour, neglect to do it, and then pay those to perform it on whose lips the sacred words become mockery and profanation?

When man was created, his person beautified, and his mind endowed, and placed in the midst of a material creation, whose yet hidden properties he was to discover and improve into sources of most exquisite delights, and instruments of exercise to his own yet unknown faculties, those personal beauties, those mental endowments, and those material properties, had all one purpose and one end-the service of God, and the happiness of man: for both were then but one, and could not be disunited. When these ends parted, and man chose himself a happiness independent of his Maker; he took to his own share these splendid gifts, these treasured materials of delight, these stores of intellect-another's workmanship: and regardless altogether of the purpose of their creation, devoted them to his own plea