the gospel to every creature in these sublunary dominions, seem to make the case of the Friends an exception to the privilege and authority of the mandate, and though situated in the vicinity of their abodes, employ no measures to loose the fetters that bind them-we fear, to the doom "of them that obey not the gospel of God." They have prejudices, pride, and passion to be subdued but mighty is his name who uses the preaching of the cross for the demolition of "strong holds." One reason (and a great one) of the inaction of the clergy in respect to the Friends, is the common ignorance of the profession as to their tenets and history: the book of Mr. B. meets the difficulty, and ought to repose, not in neglected honor, in the alcoves of our clerical libraries. The contents of Mr. B's book are so multifarious and the topicks it comprises so much like the stars of both hemispheres for multitude, that we are aware-our present strictures are less a specimen than a sketch of what might be done to advantage in a full review of its chapters. We have been necessarily partial in the scope-perhaps voluntarily partial in the spirit of our animadversions. For this, no doubt, our "accusation" will be written "in letters of" English, if not in those of Greek, and Latin and Hebrew." Nor will this prove that it was not because we bore" witness to the truth." But however it may be received-we shall tell the Friends (if they read these pages) that neither our author, nor ourselves are against them-God is witness ! "Our hearts' desire and prayer to God for them is that they might be saved!" No scorn contaminates our 66 pity; we do not regard them less, because we regard the gospel more. We feel for them, and love their souls, and would willingly become their servants "for Jesus' sake." Many of them, for other qualities than those of enlightened evangelical piety, have long since conciliated our respect and veneration. Their in telligence on ordinary themes; the elegant pleasantness and ease of their demeanor; their "natural affection" in the polish of its sentiments, and the ramifications of its humanity, and the disinterested assiduity of its services; the tenderness of their friendship, their guarded education of the young, and in a word—their EXEMPLARY PHILANTHROPY, deserve universal recognition and applause! But alas! where do all these graces and accomplishments of nature leave them, on the score of religion? The finger of revelation writes tekel on its collective glory. Let them consult the volume of inspiration-the record of their Creator's mercy; let them read it with selfapplication and prayer-and we may indulge the hope that they will come at length to regard it with views and feelings similar to those of that great Apostle, who, with James and John, was selected to witness the glorious scenery of the mount of transfiguration where the senses of hearing and of sight attested the "majesty" of the Son of God. He did not disparage the recollected privilege of the occasion, when, in the epistle that contained his valedictory to the churches, he instituted an express com parison between “ the voice that came from heaven," and the Holy Scriptures and gave his apostolic sanction to the immense superiority of the latter in these ever memorable wordswe have also A MORE SURE WORD OF PROPHECY; whereunto YE DO WELL THAT YE TAKE HEED, as unto A LIGHT THAT SHINETH IN A DARK PLACE, until the day dawn, and the day-star arise in your hearts. The Boston Handel and Haydn Society Collection of Church Music ; being a selection of the most approved Psalm Tunes; together with many beautiful extracts from the works of Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, and other eminent modern composers. Harmonised for three and four voices, with a fig ured Base for the Organ or Piano "Assembled men, to the deep Organ join The long-resounding voice, oft breaking clear, At solemn pauses, through the swelling And, as each mingling flame increases In one united ardour rise to Heaven!" Second Edition, with Additions And are These remarks, however, more strictly applicable to what has been than to what now is. For in many towns and villages in NewEngland, church music is performed in a style of chaste and devout soVOL.VI.-No. 10. 69 lemnity, and a change for the better On this account we do not hesitate to say that the work placed at the head of this article is a most valuable gift to the churches of our country. This collection of church music is published under the sanction of the Boston Handel and Haydn Society, and from this circumstance, we suppose, it derives its name, which however, on account of its difficult enunciation is rather ill chosen. The efforts of this Society to advance the science of sacred music, and to elevate the public taste, bave been great and laudable. Their musical performan-. ces and publications have already effected much with respect to the higher class of sacred music. No collection of music, however, can be so generally useful as a book of tunes adapted to psalms and hymns. The work before us therefore promises much more than the former publications of the society, and much more, we think than any similar publication in the country. It is true that some of the collections in use before the appearance of this can lay just claim to the merit of having introduced the present chaste and dignified style of melody; and for this they deserve high commendations, because to banish that trifling, flighty, irreverent style, which not long since prevailed, and bring forward in its stead a melody suited to the nature and design of public worship, was absolutely necessary as a first step towards excellence in sacred music. This necessary and difficult step was taken in some musical collections anterior to the one under our notiee. But to these collections there must exist in the minds of those who have made any considerable advancement in musical taste and information, some important objections. They are throughout deficient in harmony, or, in the arrangement of the accompanying parts. These parts are often entirely destitute of the sentiment and expression of the principal melody, and consisting of the most unnatural and uncouth intervals, are in themselves devoid of every thing like pleasing air or tune. But not only so, they abound, even the latest editions, with gross and un pardonable violations of the most common rules and the very first principles of thorough base. The Grammar of music has been wholly neglected; the ear is shocked in almost every tune with forbidden progressions and consecutions. We are aware that these objections do not exist but in the minds of those who have made some proficiency in musical science, or in the knowledge of musical composition. Nor would objections to a sermon, or other public discourse, on account of its violations of taste or grammar, exist in the mind of an illiterate man. But is it of importance that such a performance should be written with grammatical accuracy and with ease, elegance and dignity? So is it desirable that the musical composition of the church should be such as not to offend the most cultivated ear. Are taste and science considered important in the one case? They are at least proportionably so in the other. The Handel and Haydn Society collection cannot be charged with the faults just specified. The harmony throughout is executed in the highest style of scientific accuracy and skill. But what is still more important, it has been written with a constant reference to the grand object of church music, the excitement of devotional feeling. It is emphatically "religious harmony." We observe that that intimate connexion between melody and harmony which should always exist, and which has been heretofore so generally neglected in our sacred music, has been strictly regarded. The accompanying parts (which evince a thorough knowledge of counterpoint) seem always to have been written with a view to the general character and expression of the treble, or leading air, and from this circumstance in particular we think the old simple melodies in common use have received great additional beauty. It is sufficiently evident from the unity of design and character exhibited in the work, that while it professes to originate in the combined talents of a distinguished society, it is chiefly the result of individual effort, and from the preface we learn that "for the general selection of the music and revision of the harmonies the Society is indebted to Mr. L. Mason, a native of New England, now residing in Georgia. This gentleman has cultivated an extensive acquaintance both with the subject of practical psalmody, and with the best European publications, and he undoubtedly deserves a first rank among composers of church music. It is therefore with sanguine expectations that we look upon a work coming out in rapidly successive editions from such a source and under such circumstances. Corrections and improvements are to be expected and are to be requir ed. Perhaps the editor has leaned rather too much to scientific precision, and has sometimes sacrificed a melodious progression in the subordinate parts, to grammatical accura cy. But a greater fault in the work is, that too many of the pieces cannot be suitably executed by a choir without instrumental accompaniments. They may be performed well and with effect in the church with a good organ and a good organist, they may be performed in the chamber with a piano, but they fail when attempted by the voice alone. This however would be a less fault if such pieces were distinguished by some mark to inform the chorister under what circumstances to attempt them, and would be no fault perhaps if our churches were all furnished with organs, as (craving the pardon of our puritan fathers) they ought to be. But we will not enter into particular excellencies or defects in th work, because to do this profitably or even intelligibly we must adduce examples which would carry us be yond our limits, while the general ground on which we recommend it to universal use will be easily apprehended without such details. It is a collection containing most of the old approved tunes whose melody or air is dignified, solemn, reverent, chaste, and every way suited to divine worship-harmonized judiciously upon the improved and essential principles of modern musical science. This is ground enough for commendation, and it is a ground of commendation which belongs to no collection used among us except that of the Handel and Haydn Society. sent. re We intended to offer some marks on the history of sacred music, but must defer them for the preWe cannot close the article, however, without alluding to the importance of cultivating this art. The pleasures of music are perhaps when strictly considered, only pleasures of sense. But they are inseparably connected with intellectual enjoy ment, and have a powerful tendency to wean the mind from those grosser delights with which the multitude are satisfied. For this reason the attention of youth should be direc ted to music. Their attention may be occupied with delight in the practice of this, when it cannot be fixed upon studies more purely intellectual, and when some agreeable employment is absolutely necessary to restrain them from improper indul gence in sensual pleasures. Let them attend only to secular musio, if that be insisted on. For this capnot fail to "give them some glimpses, at least of purer enjoyment than that which is to be derived from the sordid gains and sordid luxuries of common life." Much seed of eminent virtues, said Luther, will be found in minds which are touched by music.-But aside from this general consideration, we think Christian parents bound, where it is possible, to qualify their children to sing the praises of God in the sanctuary. And we feel no hesitation in saying that it is the duty of every young man and young woman, who has the capacity, to acquire sufficient skill to unite with propriety in this important and delightful part of pub lic worship. Especially is it the duty of those who are preparing for the ministry to cultivate taste and skill in sacred music. The preacher who is unable to sing will often find this a deficiency that lessens his power of doing good. However, many have piety and talents adequate to preach the gospel, who have not the capacity to acquire this art. We would not have them on this accouut turn aside from the holy work. But we would require of every candidate for the ministry, what the man entirely destitute of musical capacities certainly can do, that he attend sufficiently to the subject to know what style of music is suitable for public devotion, and what collections contain such music. With this knowledge alone he can do much in promoting good psalmody; he may at least avoid the misfortune and the shame of recommending and encouraging that which is bad. We sincerely regret therefore that there is not more interest on this subject at our theological seminaries. Every thing connected with the interests of the church is a proper subject of attention and study at a seminary for educating the guardians of the church. If it be important that the praying and the preaching in public worship be performed suitably, it is also important that the singing should be performed suitably. And if ministers will not watch over this part of the service, who will? But proper attention will not be given to the subject in our theological institutions until they are furnished with professors of music. Let this be done and we shall witness a new era in the sacred music of our country. Literary and Philosophical Intelligence. COLLEGIATE RECORD FOR THE YEAR 1824. *Received Testimonials; the Legislature not having authorized the Institution to confer Degrees. HONORARY DEGREES. BOWDOIN.-The Marquis De La Fayette, and Parker Cleaveland, LL. D. DARTMOUTH.-Joseph Story, LL. D., Theophilus Packard, and David Kellogg, D. D. MIDDLEBURY.--James Spalding, Edward Lamb, Samuel Head, Jeremiah Van Rensselaer, M. D. UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT.-Eliphalet Gillett, D. D., Heman Allen, A. M. HARVARD.-William Wirt, Josiah Quincy, and Daniel Webster, LL. D. Bazaleel Howard, John Andrews, and Joseph Tuckerman, D. D., George Washington La Fayette, A M. WILLIAMS.-Elijah H. Mills, and Levi Lincoln, LL. D., Nathan S. Beeman, D. D. BROWN.-Henry Wight, and Robert Semple, D. D. YALE.-Smith Thompson, LL. D., Thomas Charlton Henry, D. D. COLUMBIA, N. Y.-Thomas A. Emmett, Langdon Cheeves, and Daniel Webster, LL. D., E. Herzelius, D. D. UNION.-John Griscom, LL. D., William Rafferty, Lucius Bowles, and E. Herzelius, D. D. HAMILTON.-Professor Proudfit, of Union College, D. D. UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA.-H. A. Muhlenburg, D. D. TRANSYLVANIA.-J. J. Crittendon, and Edward Livingston, LL. D. PHI BETA KAPPA ANNIVERSARIES. ALPHA OF MASSACHUSETTS.-Harvard-Professor EVERETT, Orator; Rev. HENRY WARE, Poet. |