Social and Private Worship.
STEREOTYPED AT THE BOSTON TYPE AND STEREOTYPE
FOUNDRY-LATE T. H. CARTER & co.
portant, the spirit of true piety, the compiler may say that he has failed where his solicitude was greatest; and with examples before his eyes, that if they were ineffectual to warn, may now serve to solace him. Too much of the devotional poetry which has of late appeared among us, evinces that this union is indeed a rare and high attainment; and also, that language however harsh and prosaical can be more easily forgiven than the sickly and finical elegance into which a fastidious taste so often degenerates. It has further been kept constantly in mind, that practical utility is, or ought to be, the only aim of a work like this. Some pieces accordingly, which might fall under the name of sacred poetry, and likely from the names they bear to recommend this volume to the mere reader of taste, have yet been thought far foreign from its character and design. It were easy to point to examples of this class; and none would be more surprised probably than the authors of such, to learn that they had ever found their way into collections of psalmody.
The compiler could not be insensible, while preparing this work, to its connexion with the cause of truth as well as that of piety. This truth, variously as it is apprehended, is or should be alike precious to every class of believers. To think therefore of conciliating towards this work universal favour, by merging in it all distinctive opinions,————and those consequently, which meet with his own sympathy,―would be hardly less criminal than absurd. But with the earnest desire and aim to preserve herein the pure faith of the Gospel, he is not conscious of imbuing with a sectarian spirit this offering to the cause of Christ; or of neglecting to render it, as far as may be, inoffensive at least, to his followers of every name.
Cambridge, March 22, 1825.
PUBLIC WORSHIP, Introduction of, 1-26. Worship,
of the One Supreme, 2. Of the God of Holiness, 18.
Simplicity of christian, 24. Acceptable, 9-11, 14, 182.
The House of God, his presence in, 25. Invitation to,
4, 23. The heavenly Sabbath, 7, 26. The Lord's day,
17, 19, 20. Sanctuary privileges, delight in, 12, 13.
Abuse of, 210. Privation of, 364.
GENERAL PRAISE, PRAYER, &c. The God of cre-
ation adored, 27-35, 46. The God of Providence ce-
lebrated, 39-44, 60-62, 65. Greatness of God in the
elements, 36-38. Universal Praise, 1, 5, 6, 46. Ex-
alted and perpetual Praise, 16, 43, 45-51. Gratitude
for personal mercies, 52-68. Gratitude under all cir-
cumstances, 52, 64. The gifts of Providence and grace
generally, implored, 69-79. Spiritual blessings espe-
cially, 15, 70, 74-78. The Lord's Prayer, 79.
GOD, Revealed in his works, 29, 30, 80, 81
Supreme, 2. The One Living and True, 82, 83. The
Creator, 97. Creator of man, 55. Invisible, 155. In-
finite and eternal, 87. Incomprehensible, 84, 85. His
unchangeable existence, 88, 89, 269. His universal
presence and knowledge, 90-93. His universal good-
ness, 67, 94, 95, 102. His majesty, 86. His fore-
knowledge and decrees, 96. Upholder of the course of
nature, 98.
His moral attributes, 156. His condescension, 108. His
faithfulness, 239, 240. His paternal character, 157,
159, 176. His mercy, the refuge of the penitent, 216
-221. His benignity through all dispensations, 117.
Equity of his government, 107, 111. God, the guar-
dian of innocence, 61, 113. The refuge of his chosen,
114, 115, 225. The desire and portion of his people,
168, 169. The leader of his people, 132, 263. His pe-
culiar regard to his people, 66. The Supreme good,
265, 267. The Searcher of hearts, 214. The Source
of consolation, 236. The Light of the mind, 116.
His Providence, constant and paternal, 99-106. Mys-
terious, 109, 110. Benignant in its chastisements, 109,
231-233. The labours of man blessed by, 103, 161.
JESUS CHRIST, The Light of the world, 118, 125.
The image of the invisible God, 123. The messenger
of pardon, 126. His nativity, 318-320. His divine
mission, 119, 120, 126. His miraculous works, 125.
His example, 143-146. His death and exaltation,
133-135. His final advent, 119. His love to man-
kind, 313. Fidelity to him, 308. Commemoration of
him, 307, 309-313, 315. Moral influence of his suffer-
ings, 140. A future life assured by his resurrection,
287, 289, 298.
Gospel of Jesus, divine benignity in, 128. Gracious in-
vitations by it, 131. Its renovating power, 121, 122,
124. A law of liberty, 210. Privileges and obligations
of it, 107, 129. Unfruitfulness under its light, 210.
Honoured in the lives of Christians, 209. Progress
and triumphs of it, 136, 137, 142, 327. Church of
Christ, a living temple, 130. Devotedness to, 326. Its
safety and prosperity, 115, 138, 139.
SACRED SCRIPTURES. The means of instruction,
comfort and renovation, 147-150, 366. Dispositions
proper for their study, 151. Religious light and know-
ledge implored, 153, 154.
CHRISTIAN CHARACTER. God, devout aspirations
towards, 155, 158, 171. Imitation of, 156. Fear of,
163. Trust in, 170, 172. Faith and Hope in, 164.
Resignation to, 173-175, 177. Habitual Devotion,
160, 165, 167. Daily devotion, 162. Early piety, 181,
366. Devout sentiments of the aged, 179, 180.
Social virtues, essential to acceptance, 182. The chari-
ties of life and kind affections, 184-190. Zeal re
gulated by charity, 189, 193. Forgiveness of inju
ries, 79, 190. Catholicism and Candour, 194-196,
141. Beneficent use of wealth, 191. Virtuous love of
country, 192. The relations of life, means of religion,
211, 368.
Personal Virtues, generally, 204, 209. Contentment,
197. Patience, 198. Fortitude, 246, 256. Worldly
anxiety reproved, 199. Meekness, 202, 203. Humili-
ty, 200, 205. Purity of heart, 200. Religious retire-
ment, 207, 208. Self-government, 201 Self-commu-
nion and inward scrutiny, 200, 206, 212. Profaneness
condemned, 211.
THE CHRISTIAN LIFE. Its privileges and comforts,
222-230, 238-243. Progressiveness in it, 215. Se-
cret happiness of a christian, 226, 227. Conscience,
peace of, 224, 230. Power of, 367. Different end of
the christian and the sinner, 228-230. Religion, its
peace and power, 234, 241-243. Memory of the good
precious, 237, 330.
Its difficulties and discouragements, 247-259. Incon-
stancy in it, 215. Spiritual aid needed therein, 251.
Implored, 15, 249, 250, 262. Aspirations after perfect.
obedience, 246, 247. Life, the only season of proba-
tion, 248. Christian watchfulness, 200, 255. Perse-
verance in the religious life, 252, 284. Religion the
all-essential concern, 253, 254. Peculiar dangers of
youth, 257. The christian life, a warfare, 258, 259.
A pilgrimage, 260-262, 283, 284. A race, 264.
MISCELLANEOUS. Faith, 110, 240, 244, 245. Peni-
tential, 210-221. Mutability of the world, 269–271.
Vanity and brevity of life, 275, 277-280. Lapse of
time improved, 274, 276, 343, 344. Prospects of the
christian, 273, 282. Sickness and death anticipated,
285, 286. God and the gospel, our support in, 286-
289. The christian farewell, 290. The dying saint,
293. Peace of the grave, 294, 295. Resurrection of
man, 296-298. Dissolution of the world, and final
judgment, 299-301. Heaven, view of its glory, 291,
292, 303-306. The reward of virtuous endeavours,
305. Its perpetual light, 290. An endless rest, 26.
The acceptance of all the good, 302
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