of the glorified, recognise communion among the worshippers. In the closet we are insulated, but in the congregation we are united, and our service should ascend before the Almighty as one great sacrifice of praise offered by all combined. As may be supposed, the alterations required on this account, in a large proportion of the following hymns, occasioned no small degree of trouble to preserve the sentiment, metre, and rhyme, unimpaired. The compiler regrets that he has not always succeeded in this respect to the extent of his wishes. The changes introduced may be considered by some persons as unwarrantable; and had the names of authors been affixed to the compositions thus altered, he would have pleaded guilty of dishonest dealing towards the character of others. As the Collection stands, the compiler alone is responsible for its demerits. Were it necessary he might appeal to precedent for vindication. To give some idea of the extent to which the practice of altering hymns has been carried, he would state that on referring to twelve different volumes, containing a popular hymn, he found ten variations in the reading of the first verse. Besides, his object has been to provide a manual for congregational psalmody, and he therefore felt warranted to introduce whatever modifications appeared desirable to render compositions better fitted for the purpose. Among six hundred compositions, a great vari ety will exist in their claims to approbation. On some subjects so many excellent hymns are extant, that to have inserted all would have extended some parts of this work beyond their due proportions;-while on other topics the supply is so scanty as not to admit of choice. In all cases where the properties could not be had combined, the compiler has preferred piety with imperfect poetry, to elegance of language without piety. Every garden will include some plants of homely growth and unattractive form, introduced more for utility than show. It was once intended to arrange the hymns according to the texts of Scripture which appear to have suggested them, or which they were adapted to illustrate-thus making the volume a sort of running metrical commentary on the Bible. But so large a majority of them are on subjects rather than on texts, that it was found impossible to follow out the plan with satisfaction. An analysis of the subjects has therefore been preferred as better suited to the nature of the work. Even this has not been free from difficulty. Several topics are often introduced to the same hymn, and that which determined its appropriation was the one which appeared most prominent. In hymns relating to but one subject, the mode of treating it and the tone of feeling expressed, had to be consulted to decide whether it belonged to doctrinal, practical, or experimental religion. Dr. Watts regretted that "of all our religious so lemnities, psalmody is the most unhappily managed." It is hoped that his censure will not apply in its full extent at present; yet there is still much room for improvement. Meetings for practice, judiciously conducted, and the introduction of singing to family worship, would render an important service to congregational psalmody. Care should be taken that the tunes sung are adapted to the hymns, so that the music may encourage devotion.* Let every worshipper join to the best of his ability, and let all stand up to praise the Lord. If possible, the interruptions occasioned by giving out the lines should be avoided. The best rules, however, will fail unless the spirit of praise be infused through a congregation. If the heart be not influenced by devotion, whatever there may be of melody and music, our service will be no better than sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal in the ears of the Lord of hosts. Having first commended the volume to Him who inhabits the praises of Israel, and implored the divine blessing upon it, the compiler now lays it before the Christian public. Should it be the means of promoting devotion and edification, the trouble of preparing it, though considerable, will be amply repaid.. Charlemont Mall, A Selection of Tunes, adapted to the various metres in this Volume, is at present preparing, and will be shortly published. ANALYSIS OF CONTENTS. - ...... third....The works of God fifth....The Trinity ..... sixth,..Doxologies 254-266 267-274 ..... 275-284 fifth....Church fellowship 285-292 ....... 393-309 " lemnities, psalmody is the most unhappily man- Having first commended the volume to Him Charlemont Mall, * A Selection of Tunes, adapted to the various metres in this |