scientifically known as baritones; the latter being very small in number, and admitting such (and they only be it remembered can do so) sing in unison with the trebles; F and G to them are so difficult to insure, that unless they be musicians, or are gifted with a most correct ear, they will certainly sing their upper notes very flat; thereby tending to lower the pitch of the tune, and drag heavily and sometimes painfully, upon the trebles, causing as much discord as that produced by the bass voices attemping to harmonize. The remaining part, or majority of tenor voices, which we shall designate as baritone, in attempting to sing the treble of a tune fall short of the compass by a third, or two notes. These are usually striven at by a sound that is never musical--far less tolerable. Some indeed employ a falsetto; this is difficult to execute by an accomplished singer, without the greatest care; how little success then may be expected from a person of but ordinary attainments, even though he be an amateur? The same rule then refers to the junior members of a congregation. Let all the female voices (and they only), sing the air; their voices being best adapted, we may say expressly designed, for this purpose. And are we (say the rest) to be prohibited from worshipping God in the service of praise, because of the low compass of voice our Creator has given us? Far from it: we reply each have their allotted part to sustain, and these parts Divine Wisdom designed them to fill, or their peculiar range of voice would not have been given them; and without those parts are duly sustained we fall short in any attempt to produce congregational harmony.

Some would inquire, what need of bass, or tenor? Yet how foolish a question would they think it were we to ask, what need a piano or organ with tenor or bass notes. Let then those ladies whose voices do not extend to Sol with ease and comfort to themselves, sing alto; boys also should take this part. We have then instead of a melody only, and that far from melodious, a harmony of a light and brilliant character rendered by the female part of the congregation. To the higher class of male voices an important and beautiful part is allotted to sustain. The treble and bass forming the outline, yet solid groundwork of the harmony, leave to the tenor and alto an important and effective part to accomplish; that of adding fulness and richness to the more prominent parts, thereby completing the symmetry of the whole. Thus by each voice sustaining its appropriate part, we have rendered a delightful harmony of a most perfect character, becoming to the house of God, and those who present themselves there to worship him in praise. The subject of which we treat is of great importance, being, as it is, the only service a congregation is called upon publicly to perform; and with what exceeding great carelessness is it generally attended to?-either left altogether to the organist and a few taught children, or to a male leader whose duty it becomes, to exert himself to accomplish improperly the work of hundreds, far too neglectful in the worship of God to execute it properly themselves. We would suggest that each one should try the compass of his voice, and then learn the part allotted to him in the same way as he would learn the treble of a tune; by

practising until the ear (even if the judgment would not assist) became sufficiently cognisant of it to sing harmoniously in the congregation; and in order to the proper accomplishment of this end, we propose a proper system of practice be adopted. Classes should be formed, and instead of the organist having the very irksome and difficult task of teaching a few boys and girls; or in the case of those without organs having no practice except that so highly objectionable, viz., during the service in the House of God; he would have the pleasant office of teaching those willing to learn for the best purposes. Doubtless some difficulties stand in the way of improvement, but none insurmountable; as proved by our northern brethren in some of the kirks of Scotland, who have gone with perfect success almost to the extent of our proposition; and the effect is that of one great chorus of voices singing harmoniously the praise of their Redeemer, striving we should hope to render their praise as acceptable from the heart, as it is from the voice. Should the conductor or organist prove unequal to the task of superintending a class of this kind, surely some one in the congregation could be found who would gratuitously offer his services to a well-ordered class, if not even remunerate some one for so doing.

We find in most congregations a goodly number of young ladies who have received musical educations, and who can sing their solos, duets, glees, &c., &c., in their own drawingrooms or those of their friends; and far be it from us to object to so admirable a source of amusement if their music be well assorted; but we do say that until they can sing a psalm tune in a serviceable and efficient manner in the house of God, their music of a lighter or a more elaborate character should be laid aside.

We have heard ladies assert, It is not in accordance with our views of modesty to sing at all loudly in a place of worship. We reply that in a becoming and unostentatious manner a lady's piety and devotion might be thus exampled, without causing her modesty to lose one shade of its beauty and strictness. Certain it is there is great necessity for their enlisting themselves in such a cause, seeing that by them the great deficiency can be easily and effectively supplied.

Whilst speaking of the support that should be given to the air of a tune by the lady worshippers, let us also speak of that most important part, the leadership. Our opinion is simply this: seeing a male voice cannot, for reasons previously given, support the air of a tune, that part should be allotted to a lady of the congregation, who doubtless would be willing to come forward to make such a praiseworthy effort. If this be not practicable, then a competent female singer should be paid to fill that post; at the same time, be it remembered we do not think it would be seemly to allow a lady to conduct. Let her be assisted by one of the male voices in the congregation, and surely one could be found who would undertake this office; still if this is not to be obtained, let it be done and well done even if remuneration be necessary. We advise also that an audible key note be given, that the congregation may be prepared for their duties. The office of a conductor is too well known to require comment, but we

would suggest that he leave

the tune, by

to remove any embarrassment on the part of

have been admitted to our northern institution, several of them the sons of ministers,

the her the time to his leading trends and old also to preserve the key for the trebles de which he may easily do by commencing his tenor or bass invariably with the same note, taking his first interval accordingly.

1 Nor would, we close without reminding the pastors and elders of churchési generally, that they have a duty also to perform; inasmuch as it devolves on them to see the service of God should be conducted decently"

2791

and truly looking at many contretemps that have (we must say avoidably) happened, one would think that a law had been made for the exclusion of the service, of song" from this injunction. We say then their duty is to ens courage and assist all prudent steps that may be taken by any of the congregation; ever to show a watchfulness of its interests, and in every possible manner to elevate, this glorious and pleasurable medium of the worship of our Redeemer. The pastor should be ever ready to give, upon application, the to the con ductor as early as possible before the the Sabbathday that instead of having a selection to make inya seramblings manner whilatithe minister is ascending the pulpit, he may know his duties, and impart the same to those interested in the proper completion:

matter, in order to the Remarks to a close, we

In bringing our few

beg to apologise for aught that may strike the reader as dogmatical or in any way objection! able. Should this humble attempt in behalf of congregational psalmody prove successful, we shall feel proud in having cast our mite in with the many contributions which have been advanced towards the promotion of this par ticular object 09,89i19. A. d'pc2 ni vado`z Nottinghill, s ui aebloui quiwolSiTuli

dont wodzvoda ilaw godina 1979 <BLACKPOOL CHAPEL. 9J67990 SIR,—I have read with very great interest and much pleasure, your account in the WITNESS of the proceedings at the Autumnal Meeting of the Congregational Union; and your remarks in support of the resclution of sympathy with Mr, Bridelle and his community struck me as

exceedingly opportunity being

especially to your suggestions as to the character of the preaching that is required, not only for this age, but for all agesjoy mil trol ligaol I thoroughly sympathize with your fears in respect colleges, “lest; they should not pect, to bagh, do, and I shall be glad it

your excellent remarks should have the effect of directing the principals of these institutioną to this important point due of dishw

I cannot, but entertain fears that the great danger to be apprehended from our collegiate system is, that whilst it may tend to produce a learned ministry, more importance is attached to mere learning than to the great business of the ministry the salvation of souls; and, the more I mingle with Christian men and officers of Christian churches, the more deeply do I see cause for lamenting the state of things, in contection with the rising ministry.”

I am afraid there is too much" training for the ministry amongst us; and I am sorry to find that a considerable number of very young

VOL. VIII.

in the may be

tion. Not that be any

on

in

he sons of ministers from entering

the

the sacred office; but I fear that there is a tendency to devote them to the office, and direct their studies towards this especial object, much on the same plan as is pursued in the Church of Englandi song off to tats 89999. 1665

With these views and fears, how greatly did I welcome your fervid and eloquent prophecy, that if the "artillery of truth were directed over the heads of the masses," "God would leave them to themselves, and raise up for his own purposes a simple, humble, and, it may be, unlettered ministry, but a ministry whom he will clothe with power from on high," &c. o 8 bd, was not to but to another,

P

My object, however, in refer specially to this"

which was also touch but to ing

'at

and to supply you with information thereon,si In the Rev. R. Fletcher's address on the state of the churches, reference was made to the chapels which had been built in the country recently; and Blackpool, Fleetwood, and Oldham-road Chapels were specially named. The chairman asked whether the "gentlemen who built the chapels retained any interest in them?" Mr. Fletcher, in reply, referred only to Oldham, road Chapel; and I will therefore supply you with an answer so far as Blackpool is concerned, having had information on this subject within the last few days!

The Chapel at Blackpool has been erected through the exertions of a few active individuals residing in Manchester and other places; but these indiv have taken care to retain some

control in management of its have obtained a clause in the trust deed which gives the trustees power to provide supplies for the pulpit during four of the summer months; 80 that if the church at Blackpool should select a minister was in every respect an one

as the Was he shall also to

meet the views of the trustees and visitors, he will be sent to the right about for four months, and be permitted to resume his labours at the expiration of that time.

This, Sir, is the sum and substance of the trust deed at Blackpool; and were it not that I have it from the highest authority, I could scarcely have believed it possible that, in the middle of the nineteenth century, anything so inconsistent with the principles of Congrega

tional Independe been broached.

Talk of Popery,

this be not Popery in its very essence, what is ? It was very well, therefore, for Mr. Fletcher to dwell on the Oldham-road Chapel, to the exclusion of Blackpool. I know not whether in the same position, but as also the resort of Manchester who have contributed to its erection, it is possible that similar powers may have been reserved to the trustees there.bniči do May I request that you will give an opinion on the case in point, as it may be necessary, in these chapel-b 1-building days, to make a stand against such encroachments on the privileges of the Christian church.

Nothing that has appeared since the commencement of the present agitation, in the way of antidote to papal poison, has given us so much satisfaction as the volume before us. For many years it was with us a very favourite production, and, we believe, the last conversation we had with its accomplished author respected a new edition of it. However, the hand of affliction was then lying heavily upon that great man, and it soon became heavier, till at length it crushed him in the dust, and all hope of another edition, revised and corrected, or enlarged by himself, was frustrated. This, at the time, furnished matter for regret, since we have reason to believe that he would have added some notes, if not a discourse or two, with a view to meet the case of Tractarianism, as it had then begun to develop itself. Such regrets, it now appears, were unnecessary, for it is just possible that, had the present edition then been issued, it would have been in the sumptuous and costly octavo form of the previous editions, involving a necessarily large increase of price, which must greatly have narrowed the circulation; and had a fifth edition been launched at that time, it would have been plunged in comparatively shallow waters; whereas now Protestant feeling has attained its flood, the fifth edition of this masterly performance has appeared at the very moment, and in the very form, which sense and experience would have dictated. While the volume is very cheap, the type is still sufficiently large even for persons advanced in years; and the size is such as adapts it to the pocket, and harmonizes it with that numerous class of modern publications which private libraries begin to exhibit in such numbers. When this work first appeared, Dr. Fletcher was in the prime of his powers and the midst of his labours; and as the President of Blackburn Theological Institution, and Pastor there of a large Independent Church, he had ample means of studying the character of modern Popery, and of adapting himself to the exigencies of the case. Lancashire was then, and still is, from its adjacency to Ireland, the stronghold of the Man of Sin in England.

There are, at this moment, no fewer than 113 Popish chapels in that county, while the next highest, which is found in the great county of Yorkshire, amounts only to G1. There are, moreover, in Lancashire two of the chief colleges, Stoneyhurst and St. Edwards. Dr. Fletcher, thus situated, for the defence of the truth, and the protection of his people, seeing the Papal waters spreading all around him, was impelled to stand forth, and to deliver himself as he has done in this celebrated volume, which, on its first appearance, created not a little excitement. It was universally well received, as is evident from the fact of its having passed through four large editions, nor was its usefulness confined to Great Britain; wellattested facts of the benefit resulting from its perusal in other countries are before us. The Rev. Robert Moffatt, for example, relates an instance of the conversion of two Roman Catholics at the Cape by means of these lectures, and the Rev. James Thompson, Missionary in South America, communicated the following incident in a letter to the author, which shows how truth may operate where its appearance was never contemplated:

"I took a copy of this work with me when I went out to South America, in 1818. After being there some time, I got intimately acquainted with a Dominican friar, and had many interesting conversations with him on general subjects, as well as on religion. I at length lent him your volume, and upon seeing him some time after, he expressed great satisfaction at the candour with which you had treated the subject, and particularly noticed the spirit of piety in which the subject was managed. He told me he had translated several passages of the Lectures into Spanish, and every way he seemed much pleased with the work. A few days before I went to Chili, wishing to take your Lectures with me, I called on my friend for the volume I had lent him. Upon my asking him for it, he brought it out, and holding it in both his hands, and pressing it to his breast, he spoke of it so much, and seemed so reluctant to part with it, that

I could not summon courage enough to deprive him of it. I therefore presented it to him as a memorial of our friendship, with which he was truly gratified."

We perceive that the venerable Dr. Pye Smith-ever ready to serve his friends by serving his Master — has stepped forth on the present occasion, in his admirable "Reason of the Protestant Religion," in which he says:

"The late Dr. Fletcher's Lectures on the Roman Catholic Religion is an inestimable work, of which I congratulate the public that a fifth and cheap edition is announced.”

To this we may add that the Rev. Robert Hall, in the Eclectic, spoke of the Lectures of Dr. Fletcher in the most elevated strains of panegyric. Indeed, it could not be otherwise, for whatever Dr. Fletcher touched he adorned; and beauty could not escape the eye of the great Baptist critic. Dr. Fletcher brought to his task every accomplishment which its peculiar character rendered necessary- -a perception the most penetrating, a reasoning power the most highly cultivated, a thorough acquaintance with the system of Divine truth, a style the most luminous, a fidelity the most unflinching, with a sense of justice which recoiled from even the approach to a deviation, and a magnamity rarely equalled these things, and more than these, constituted him a first-rate controversialist-a man who defended the truth in the spirit of it, and who combined the highest power of controversial ability with an utter absence of those venomous qualities which have too frequently disfigured productions otherwise superlatively meritorious.

The Discourses are nine in number. The Authority of the Church-Oral Tradition Papal Supremacy Transubstantiation, and the Sacrifice of the Mass -the Sacraments of the Romish Church, comprising Confirmation, Penance, Extreme Unction, Holy Orders, and Matrimony-the Invocation of Saints, and the Use of Images-Purgatory, and the Doctrine of Merit-the Roman Catholic Hierarchy-the Genius and Such Tendency of the Papal Religion.

are the topics, and after what we have said, it were an impertinence to add a word as to the manner of their discussion. The man who will give this volume two or three deliberate and thoughtful perusals, will have rendered himself a considerable-and, for all popular purposes, a sufficient-master of

the elements of this great subject. But on polemic and theological grounds, it is equally valuable; and as a specimen of finished controversy, exquisite composition, sound logic, and impressive eloquence, it is entitled to the highest praise.

We may only add that the work is enriched with a valuable Appendix. In the event of another edition, we hope the Rev. Joseph Fletcher will prefix a Table of Contents, which, to the observer, with a view to purchase, will furnish facilities of at once forming a right conception of the treasures coutained in the volume.

Lectures delivered at the Monthly United Service of the Nonconformist Churches in Nottingham, rith other Discourses preached on Public Decasions. By SAMUEL M'ALL. Jackson and Walford.

TRIS is a volume of real worth, and, from its size, form, and appearance, it will stand a fair chance of becoming extensively, and permanently popular. Not only does the article consist of sterling gold, but that gold is well beaten. The author assuredly has not given to the public that which cost him nothing; the whole is the result of his best efforts, spread throughout a period of very considerable length, and constitutes the cream of a very efficient and very successful ministry. The subjects of the separate discourses or dissertations are all of the first magnitude, and they have been worked out with laudable industry and great success. The book is not one of high and cold abstraction; it is throughout vital and practical, and not only so, but very pertinent to the times which are passing over us, and the existing state of the Church of Christ in these lands. The very first discourse furnishes a striking illustration of this point, in the admirable passages with which it closes, on the revival of religion, showing how keenly alive the author is to all that is passing around him. Of the same character, and of equal worth, is the conclusion of the valuable dissertation on "The Duty of the Church to Evangelize." Still more strikingly is that feature of the volume brought out, in the masterly discourse on the "Measures commonly suggested by worldly men to secure religicus uniformity." This is a discourse specially adapted to such society as that of Nottingham. A man who can talk in this style will always obtain a hearing. He speaks as a man to man, and makes himself felt at every touch. The sermon on "Human Responsibility," which immediately follows, is every way worthy of its predecessora close and vigorous exhibition of a subject of no inconsiderable difficulty and of transcendant importance. "Christianity and the Working Classes," is a great lesson to a great community, and a timely testimony even to the rulers of the land.

But it must not be supposed that throughout the volume the Divine is every where merged in the moral and religious philosopher. It is not so. The man of God is eminently conspicuous in subjects which more especially require it. As an impressive example of this,

British mons thay years.

for

We consider them excellent examples of the best order of Congregational preaching For real usefulness, we deem them much superior to the profound and magnificent dissertations of his celebrated brother, the late Dr. M'All. They are decidedly more re adapted to effect moral and religious good among the middle classes. There is far more of life, of business; and of this everyday world in them. They are less a spectacle to be looked at, wondered at, lauded, admired, and forgotten. Dr. M'All great commoner, and was intellectually an aristocrat; his brother is a

by this volume he has reared for himself a memorial which will endure for ages. Its study has afforded us great and unmixed satisfaction.

On Preaching, and on Popular Education. By T. G. GRAHAM, M.D. Simpkin and Co.. DR, GRAHAM is well known for his Medical Writings, and has been long a favourite with the public. Few, and only few, compared with his Medical readers, know and prize his "Spiritual Treasury; or, Companion in the Closet," or "Breakfast-table for Seekers of Christ's Present and Everlasting Salvation." In the work before us, however, Dr. Graham comes forth in a new character, delivering himself with great freedom on subjects in which all men are interested. The first part opens, with a dissertation on preaching, as if the excellent Dooton were disposed to make reprisals, upon the very small number of the clergy who have occasionally dabbled in Medicine. This Essay on Preaching is really a production of very superior value, as comprising the deliberate, well-digested views of a strong-minded and closely observant, praotioal, on-looker. Dr. Graham deals very hard measure out to the bulk of modern preachers. We presume he chiefly means the Methodists, however, since we believe that gentleman was once, if he is not still, somewhat identified with that community; and as he here avails himself of the notions of Wesley, and portions of Wesleyan literature, to subserve his object, and as he shows an intimate acquaintance with the movements of the Divan, and pays his compliments once and again to Dr. Bunting. In his animated and elaborate dissertation, which comprises the second part of the volume, on the Educational Question, he has employed the rod of Wesley to thresh, the preachers, under the second section, entitled, "What would John Wesley say?to which, of course, we can have no objection. The volume is very miscellaneous, comprising a great variety of eubjects, a good companion for travel, as well as the fireside; since, wherever the reader may dip, he will be sure to find something good, bd

very laudable object-the bringing (of) a large batch of good poetry within the reach of the poorer classes; it deserves a wide circulati and can scarcely fail to obtain it,

Sabbath Schools; or, Hints on Sabbath School Teaching. A Lecture. By WILLIAM TASKER. 7d ZD551 Johnstone and Hunter

MR. TASKER is the minister of Dr, Chalmers's famous Poor Man's Church, in Edinburgh-an office, at the outset, of great difficulty, but an office for which, nevertheless, Mr. Tasker has proved himself every way competent, and has

Justified the confidence placed in him nerable and illustrious patron and friend, now in glory, whose heart was deeply set upon the accomplishment of the object. This Lecture has been delivered in various places, and is at length published, in obedience to the request of the General Assembly's Commission on Public Schools. It is not unworthy of the honour thus conferred on it; it constitutes a very valuable homily upon a very important subject: one of the best fourpennyworths that has been offered to the public for some time. a

THIS is a very ingenious performance, remarkably calculated to instruct the rising race, especially if taught, as the Author intended, by accompanying examinations. There are no fewer than twenty-four dialogues, on each of which there is a series of questions provided; and the child who shall so study the dialogue, and answer the questions, will prove a good scholar, and have attained to a very considerable degree in juvenile knowledge. The subjects traversed

are very exnumerous thoughts and the

facts are both

and interesting. 13970709 to towog Seoigid an Lectures on the Existence and Attributes of the Divine Being. By THOMAS SWAN." Houlston and Co. mortuubow in

FOR the tenth time we have publicly testified our extreme aversion to books of this description, no matter by what ability they may be distinguished. Men who require to be reasoned with on this subject are all but hopeless, and never, by such reasonings, can they be awakened and brought to a right mind. We despair of every attempt to bring the great idea of God home to the consciences of men, apart from Christ. God-"God in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not imputing to men their trespasses "this is the instrument by which the human race are to be renovated, and the wide-spread moral death, which now pervades the human race, to be made the subject of a resurrection. But if we are averse to all arguif we are ment with the Atheist, we are not much more tolerant of argument with the Deist. In the nineteenth century of Christianity it is scarcely to be endured that the question of its Divine Origin should be re-opened. All such questions but proclaim that the one great business enjoined by Christ has been neglected. Such things, in the way of academic lectures, are all very well, and they may also be endured on