which the gravest specimens of the old church music are connected with the liveliest and most joyous strains, differing not at all from the style of the ordinary song. Tune 197, Hymns A. and M., may stand for a specimen of what I mean. Even the imitative style is reproduced in a new form, and the contrasts are formed in alternative verses in the same hymn. See tune 257, A. and M. I do not pronounce an opinion on this style of music. Some of the tunes are the productions of our best and most honoured composers. I only state the fact that these productions are as far removed as they well can be from what is understood by church music, and I question myself whether another reaction will not follow which will exclude them from our churches, as their predecessors (not so far removed from the standard) have been excluded before them. The most objectionable composition of all in our modern hymnals is the evolution of a tune set to solemn words out of the melody of an old song familiar to those that sing at banquets and on similar occasions, such as The Vicar of Bray," in tune 436, A. and M.; "Glorious Apollo" in the tune for the Holy Communion (313); and others which cannot but grate on the ears of those who have known them in their primitive use. 66 BREAK OF DAY. Morning and Evening. 1 Ps. xix. 1.-The heavens declare the glory of God. 2 OD of the morning! at whose voice The cheerful sun makes haste to rise; And like a giant doth rejoice To run his journey through the skies. From the fair chambers of the east And without weariness or rest, Round the whole earth he flies and shines. O like the sun may I fulfil The appointed duties of the day, With ready mind and active will March on and keep my heavenly way. Lord, Thy commands are clean and pure, Give me Thy counsel for my guide, ONCE MORNING HYMN. H. 79, B. 1. NCE more, my soul, the rising day Once more, my voice, thy tribute pay 3 Night unto night His name repeats, Wide as the heaven on which He sits, 'Tis He supports my mortal frame, On a poor worm Thy power might tread, A thousand hapless souls are fled And yet Thou lengthenest out my thread, Great God! let all my hours be Thine, Then shall my sun in smiles decline, H MORNING OR EVENING. H. 6, B. 2. OSANNAH, with a cheerful sound, Ten thousand snares attend us round, That was a most amazing power And every day and every hour The evening rests our wearied head, Which was not made our tomb. 4 No rising morning can assure Our breath is forfeited by sin We own Thy grace, Immortal King, God is our sun, whose daily light H. 5, B. 2. Lam. iii. 23.-Thy mercies are new every morning. Y MORNING OR EVENING. My God, how endless is Thy love! And morning mercies from above Thou spread'st the curtains of the night, AN EVENING SONG. H. 81, B. 1. READ Sovereign! let my evening song Assist the offerings of my tongue To reach the lofty skies. Through all the dangers of the day 5 6 Perpetual blessings from above But O how few returns of love What have I done for Him that died To save my wretched soul? Lord, with this guilty heart of mine Sprinkled afresh with pardoning blood, As in the embraces of my God, Or on my Saviour's breast. AN EVENING HYMN. H. 7, B. 2. HUS far the Lord hath led me on, TH Thus far His power prolongs my days; And every evening shall make known Much of my time has run to waste, I lay my body down to sleep, In vain the sons of earth or hell |