It is impossible for us to distinguish and describe the several sorts of musical instruments here mentioned, as the Hebrews themselves acknowlege their ignorance in this particular. Thus much is clear, that the people of God are enjoined to use all the various kinds of them, in the performance of their divine services. And why should they not be so used under the Gospel? We read of sacred music before the law, in the instance of 'Miriam, the prophetess, the sister of Aaron,' who, to celebrate the deliverance from Pharaoh and the Egyptians, took a timbrel in her hand, and the women went out after her, with timbrels and dances: Exod. xv. 20., The custom, therefore, was not introduced by the law, nor abolished with it. Well regulated music, if ever it had the power of calming the passions, if ever it enlivened and exalted the affections of men in the worship of God (purposes for which it was formerly employed), doubtless hath still the same power, and can still afford the same aids to devotion. When the beloved disciple was, in spirit, admitted into the celestial choir, he not only heard them singing' hymns of praise, but he heard likewise 'the voice of harpers harping upon their harps: Rev. xiv. 2. And why that, which saints are represented as doing in heaven, should not be done, according to their skill and ability, by saints upon earth; or why instrumental music should be abolished as a legal ceremony, and vocal music, which was as much so, should be retained, no good reason can be assigned. Sacred music, under proper regulations, removes the hindrances of our devotion, cures the distractions of our thoughts, and banishes weariness from our minds. It adds solemnity to the public service, raises all the devout passions in the soul, and causes our duty to become our delight. "Of the pleasures of heaven,' says the eloquent and elegant bishop Atterbury, nothing further is revealed to us, than that they consist in the practice of holy music, and holy love; the joint enjoyment of which, we are told, is to be the happy lot of all pious souls, to endless ages.' It may be added, that there is no better method of combating the mischievous effects flowing from the abuse of music, than by applying it to its true and pro

per use. If the worshippers of Baal join in a chorus to celebrate the praises of their idol, the servants of Jehovah should drown it, by one that is stronger and more powerful, in praise of him who made heaven and earth. If the men of the world rejoice in the object of their adoration, let the children of Zion be joyful in their King. 6. Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the LORD.'

The breath of natural life, which God hath breathed into our nostrils, and the breath of that new and eternal life, which he hath given us through Christ Jesus our Lord, should be returned in hallelujahs. And then the church, composed of many and different members, all actuated, like the pipes of a well-tuned organ, by the same spirit, and conspiring together in perfect harmony, would become one great instrument sounding forth the praises of God most high.

LET EVERY THING THAT HATH BREATH PRAISE THE LORD!-With this wish the sweet Psalmist of Israel closes the songs of Zion. With the same wish the author desires to close these meditations upon them; giving thanks to the Father of mercies, and the God of all comforts, by whose most gracious favor and aid they have been begun, continued, and ended; and humbly praying, that no errors, or improprieties, from which, through human infirmity, during the course of a long work, the most diligent and careful are not exempt, may prevent his labors from contributing, in some small degree, to promote the improvement and consolation of the redeemed, the honor and glory of the Redeemer, who is THE ROOT AND THE OFFSPRING OF DAVID, AND BRIGHT AND MORNING STAR.' AMEN.

Rev. xxii. 16.

THE

THE END.

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