us that it is absurd in itself; and Another circumstance has conthat it may produce many in-tributed to give currency to the jurious effects. Apocrypha. The English Episcopal Church has imitated the Church of Rome, in retaining a part of the Apocrypha to be read among her lessons," for example of life, and instruction of manners," the reason for which, according to Jerome, they were read in the primitive church," that is, the church in the fourth century-not the best period in church history, from which to draw precedents of any kind. It is admitted, that the apocryphal books may contain some useful history, and many excellent moral sentiments: They may throw considerable light on the phraseology of Scripture, and on the history and manners of the East. But all this is true of numberless other ancient books. There seems to be no more propriety in adding the apocryphal books to the Bible, than in annexing some parts of the Talmud, or the works of Josephus and Philo, or some of the commentaries of the Greek fathers. The Bible, for ordinary use, neither needs nor admits of foreign aids, of this description. It is itself sufficient for all the ends of doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness. If a person possess the means, and the leisure, to seek for further helps, in understanding the Bible, they may be found in rich variety. But they ought not to be inserted in that venerable volume, in a way which might give them the appearance of forming a part of it. The apocryphal books would not have been honoured with their station in our English Bibles, had not the Church of Rome adopted these books as a part of the canon, and had not the Vulgate been taken as a model for our own, as well as for most of the modern translations of the Scriptures. The influence of the Vulgate has been injurious in other respects. To this, we owe, according to Dr. Campbell,* much if not all of the controversy respecting baptism. Had the Greek words, referring to this rite, been translated into Latin in the Vulgate, they would, no doubt, have been correctly rendered in our English Bible. 66 The insertion of the Apocrypha in the sacred volume has undoubtedly been injurious. It has increased the cost and bulk of the book, and in this way has retarded the circulation, and lessened the use of the Bible. It appears to me, that family Bibles should be as portable as they can be made. A book will be more read, the more easily it can be handled. The most convenient Bible for family use, with which I am acquainted, is the Pronouncing Bible, lately published in Boston. Families which can afford the expense will do well to purchase a Bible of larger size in addition but for family worship, and daily use, the Pronouncing Bible is far preferable. From this Bible, the Apocrypha is properly excluded. ; A still more injurious effect of the insertion of the Apocrypha is, that if it be read under the impression which all uninstructed readers receive, that it is a part of holy writ, the absurd fables which it contains will become associated in the mind with the most solemn and best attested miracles. If such readers, by some accident, learn that the apocryphal books are of no authority, the questions will arise, Why are Who they not authoritative? has a right to invalidate them? If they are not authentick, what evidence is there, that the receive ed books are genuine? and a va- || riety of other queries, which tend to unsettle a reverential belief in the Scriptures. doth not only flatten our devotions, but too often touches all the springs of uneasiness within us. This remark is strictly apIt is creditable to the good sense plicable to much of the church of the present age, that the Apoc-musick of our country at the presrypha is beginning to be left where ent day; and deeply would it afit should be, with the apocryphal fect the good Doctor, if he could books of the New Testament. rise from the grave and hear some The British and Foreign Bible So- of his own inimitable psalms and ciety, after a struggle which hymns made an excuse for a disthreatened serious results, has re- play of musical talent, altogether solved, that it will not aid in cir- foreign to devotion. culating the Apocrypha. The American Bible Society, I believe, has never circulated it. The modern versions, in the oriental and other languages, contain, if I am rightly informed, nothing but the canonical books. It remains only for the booksellers to omit the Apocrypha in all the editions of the Bible for common use, and a very desirable era in the history of the Sacred Volume will have arrived. K. MR. MASON'S ADDRESS ON CHURCH Messrs. Editors, The principal reason for the present degraded state of church musick, seems to be, that its design is forgotten, and of course its cultivation as a religious exercise is neglected. It is a fact that while musick is regarded almost universally as a necessary appendage to publick and social worship, its importance as a devotional exercise is in a great measure overlooked. Hence it is frequently given up, almost exclusively, into the hands of young persons who have no feelings of piety whatever, and who are as unfit to conduct the singing of the church as the preaching or the praying. Having been furnished by nature with an ear to appreciate the melody of sweet sounds, they take it up as a mere amusement, and pursue it solely with reference to the sensual gratification it affords them. In proportion, therefore, as they are enabled to delight themselves, and by communicating the same feelings to others, to draw forth their applause, they accomplish the chief object of " IF we merely glance at their exertions. Is such singing church musick as it now exists, calculated to excite or increase reand is conducted in many church-ligious feeling? can it be regardes at the present day, we cannot ed as an exercise of devotion ?fail to be convinced that it falls Certainly not. It has nothing to far short of producing its legiti- do with religion. Indeed, it is mate effects. Of all our relig- too frequently the case that the ious solemnities," says Dr. Watts, musick of the church, like that of "psalmody is the most unhappily the theatre, is employed only to managed. The very action which give variety to the performances, should elevate us to the most de- to relieve the mind from a too conlightful and divine sensations, stant attention to the subject; af Having read within a few days with peculiar pleasure an address upon sacred Musick, lately delivered in Boston by Lowell Mason, Esq. I take the liberty of sending for insertion a few extracts, of which the good sense will, I think, commend itself at once to every reader. I wish the Address were in the hands of every chorister in New England. Yours, &c. ASAPH. fording a kind of interlude to religious worship, a little recreation from the tediousness of an hour's devotion, an opportunity for the minister to review his sermon, and for the people to look round upon one another. the other parts of service, even while the minister is reading the psalm or hymn, the subject is forgotten, the moment the singing commences, amidst the musical parade that attends it! The mind which was attentive during the from the subject, the moment that exercise commences whose express design is, by giving additional to deepen the impression already made and quicken emotions already kindled. Surely in no part of publick worship is the guilt of drawing nigh to God with our mouth and honouring him with our lips, while our hearts are far from him," so frequently, so constantly incurred, as when we profess to sing the praises of God, and "make melody in our hearts unto the Lord." When such a state of things ex-reading of the words, is withdrawn ists, how can the minister expect, after having spent his whole strength in a faithful sermon, and labored earnestly and affectionate-force to what has just been read, ly for the salvation of his people, through the precious season of the sabbath, how can he expect to deepen impression as he closes the service of the day by singing a psalm or hymn? Has he not reason rather to fear for the effect of the closing exercise, and tremble lest that state of anxious feeling which, under God, he has been enabled to call forth, and which excites his warmest hopes, shall be in a great measure dissipated As singing schools, in many by an exhibition of musical talent, instances, have been heretofore or a military flourish of clarinets conducted, it may be doubted and bassoons, just as the congre- whether any benefit has been degation are about to disperse ? rived from them. A number of Banish singing from the church-young persons, desirous of spendconsign our hymn books to the ing their evenings together, with flames and hang the harps of Zi- quite other objects in view than on upon the willows, rather than a religious cultivation of musick, that such should be the effects of have recourse to a singing school. musick. A teacher is employed who is perhaps destitute of almost every important qualification, and who is as fit to teach his pupils to pray or to preach, as to sing. * He supports neither order nor dignity in the school. A few indifferent tunes, perhaps, are, parrot-like, committed to memory, and executed without just time, correct intonation, or the least Now if christians had not wholly lost sight of the real object of sacred musick, is it possible to believe that the prevailing abuse of it would be tolerated? In what estimation would a congregation be supposed to hold the other exercises, prayer, for example, if instead of listening with respectful attention, and endeavouring to lift up their hearts unto God, they were to look upon it as a mere exhibition of elocution; or improve the opportunity to look around and see who is and who is not at church, or make it a signal for restlessness and noise? But how frequently it is the case that, although the most profound silence and attention prevail during all JAN. 1827. * There are indeed exceptions. Here and there we find a teacher qualified for his station; and in some instances in our country, piety and talent have been devoted to this subject. Whereever there is such a teacher, let him be encouraged; and let every church make exertions to obtain the servicos of such a man. attention to the nature of the song, or the import of the words. The sentiment, indeed, is wholly disregarded; and the most solemn and affecting words are used as a matter of mere convenience to the musick, and are sung amidst unrestrained levity and folly. After a few weeks' practice of this kind the pupils go into church, not to assist in the worship of God, but to make an exhibition of their musical acquirements, and to draw forth the applause of the people. They introduce their new tunes-drive away from the choir those who have preceded them in a similar course of instruction and practice, and by their light and inappropriate performances banish even the appearance of devotion from this exercise. To all this the church have submitted, and have called it the cultivation of sacred musick. which animate the heavenly choir, Such is a very brief and imperfect view of the nature and design of church musick, and of its present degraded state. The remedy for this state of things cannot fail to suggest itself to every one who loves the publick exercises of religion, and is desir The want of time to teach children musick, cannot with propriety be offered as an excuse. A very small proportion of their time for two or three years, at the age of from ten to fifteen, would be sufficient; and the practice of musick may be pursued at this age in such a manner as to afford relief from other studies, and be a pleasant and agreeable employ-ous of deriving benefit from them. ment. When the church shall The church must take up the take this subject into its own subject: the influence of piety hands, when children shall be must be brought to bear upon it taught musick, when choirs shall of that same spirit of the gospel so be composed of serious and proper manifest in the benevolent exerpersons who shall cultivate musicktions of the present day : the as a religious duty, when singing object of its introduction must be shall be considered as much a understood; and christians must devotional exercise as prayer, the cultivate musick as a part of reevils now exising will be speedilyligious duty. The fact of its being removed; and church musick wil! a divine institution is sufficient to be performed in some measure as show its importance; and if God it should. Christians on earth has himself introduced it into the will imitate the redeemed in heav-church, christians may not safely en; and the praises of God in disregard it, or omit to perform the church below, will be a faint their duty in relation to it." shadow of the triumphant strains MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE. AMERICAN BAPTIST MISSION. BURMAH. LETTER FROM DR. JUDSON TO THE COR- Steam Vessel, off Kyaikamee, My dear Sir, I left Rangoon about one o'clock yesterday in company with Mr. Crawfurd, Commissioner of the Governor General on an exploring expedition to the upper parts of the provinces lately ceded by the Burmese government to the British. This morning made the Kyaikamee temple, perched on the highest part of a ledge of rocks, which projects into the sea, from a high bluff, crowned with large trees, at the very entrance of the Salwen or Martaban river. After several hours spent in examining the shoals and rocks, and ascertaining a safe entrance, we found good anchorage inside the rocky promontory, about 150 yards from the shore. Just at night, set our feet on some of the rocks, which at present impede the free entrance of a boat, and with some difficulty reached the beach, ascended the high ground, and looked round on a place, which, though now covered with woods, and exhibiting no marks of having ever been inhabited, except the remains of a few old pagodas and wells, appears to be from vicinity to the sea, good anchorage ground, and connection with an extensive interior, well calculated to be the site of a new town, the future seat of government. to the same object, yet animated by higher hopes and more extended prospects. Discovered a small river two miles above the point, called the Kalyen or Wagaru, from a small village of that name, a few miles from its mouth. Proceeded up the river in the steam vessel, viewed several places on the banks, and at night returned to our old station.. April 3d. Went up the Eastern branch of the Salwen river to Martaban, on the Burmese side, but still occupied by British troops, nearly thirty miles from its mouth. Found not sufficient water for large ships, and concluded therefore at once, that no place up the river would answer for the new settlement. Just below Martaban, the Attaran, Gyaing, and Salwen, unite and form a beautiful expanse of water. On one side, the town of Martaban, on the other, the district of Maulamyaing, where it had been originally proposed to form the new settlement-the country appearing fertile, and the distant prospects on every side, bounded by ranges of high mountains, covered with wood, and replete, as we were told, with mineral treasures, All of us regretted the want of deep water in the channel leading to this delightful spot-yet perfectly reconciled to a port at Kyaikamee, from the assurance, that all the productions of the interior may be conveyed thither by these same streams with as much facility as to any part of Maulamyaing. April 4th. Went up the Salwen, about twenty miles above Martaban. Apr. 2d. Out early in the morning, The features of the country as we adwith the animation of new discoveries. vanced, became more marked and diverMr.Crawfurd and other gentlemen of the sified-evidently capable also of a high party, aspiring to the honour of founding degree of cultivation. Villagers remova town which shall rival the most celebrat-ing from the western to the eastern bank, ed ports of the East, and extend the inter- to enjoy the protection of the British est and honour of their king and country. government. Went ashore and explored Myself, while far from being indifferent a very curious temple, partially subterra |