rupted our Psalm and Hymn Books, as continually to mar the devotion of public worship. The Christian Psalmist will therefore only need to be known to secure the general approbation of the churches. May the blessings of Heaven attend your efforts, and that of the editors, in furnishing a Manual of Psalmody worthy of Christian patronage. The church I serve have adopted it.

Mount Hope, June 16, 1836.

D. A. ABEL.

Mr. EZRA COLLIER-I have examined with considerable care, and with no small degree of pleasure, the "Christian Psalmist," and consider it upon the whole the best adapted for the worship of the sanctuary of any compilation I have yet seen, and should look upon its general introduction into our churches, as a means of securing a more elevated character of sacred music than has hitherto prevailed, as it certainly would be an aid to greater devotion. ERSKINE MASON.

New-York, Oct. 14, 1836.

Mr. EZRA COLLIER:-I have examined with some care the" Christian Psalmist," lately published by you, edited by Mr. Hastings and the Rev. Dr. Patton, and my opinion of it is, in all respects, favorable. My confidence in the competency of the compilers, as well as my knowledge of the time and industry which they have devoted to this work, would have led me to anticipate a valuable production; and my expectations are fully answered in the "Psalmist." The few versions of Psalms which

they have added to those of Watts, and the great variety of their Hymns, selected with much care from numerous authors, and their systematic arrangement, with regard both to the proper succession of subjects, and the convenience of selection, give to this book a decided advantage over most others of the kind. It is adapted also to the present improved and improving state of the music in our churches, and appears equally suited to the use of private, social, and public worship. I am happy to learn that a number of churches have already adopted it, and have no doubt that, when it shall be generally known, it will be generally approved. Respectfully yours, &c.

New-York, Oct. 17, 1836.

ABSALOM PEters.

The subscriber has examined the "Christian Psalmist ;" his estimate of it is the same with that given of it above by Dr. Peters; and it has been introduced into public use in the congregation of which he is pastor.

THOMAS H. SKINNER.

New-York, Nov. 24, 1836.

Mr. E. COLLIER-From a somewhat minute examination of the "Christian Psalmist," and a somewhat extended comparison of it with other compilations of church psalmody already in use, I am convinced that it has peculiar excellences, and as a whole, is a decided improvement on those which have preceded it. The union of correct taste, poetical talent, evangelical views, an experimental

acquaintance with the sympathies of the renewed heart, together with musical talents of the first order, and a long experience both as a vocalist and a com→ poser of sacred music, in a compiler of Christian psalmody, is that which must inspire confidence on the part of those who seek the aid of sacred song in the worship of God:

The classification and arrangement of the Hymns also, under the various subjects on which they treat, is the most perfect I have seen, and such as greatly facilitates the appropriate selection of hymns. The book is eminently calculated to secure the object of Christian Psalmody, and to subserve the interests of truth and piety.

Geneva, Sept. 20, 1837.

MILES P. SQUIER.

SACRED MUSIC.

THE MANHATTAN COLLECTION

OF

Psalm and Hymn Tunes and Anthems;

Compiled and composed under the special patronage of the New-York Academy of Sacred Music, and adapted to the use of Classes, Choirs and Congregations, with a Figured Bass for the Organ. By THOMAS HASTINGS, Professor of Musical Elocution, author of "Dissertation on Musical Taste," one of the compilers of "Musica Sacra," "Spiritual Songs," "Christian Psalmist," &c.

The present volume is not designed as a substitute for any of the author's previous publications. "Musica Sacra," if we except the Appendix, the

2

Anthems, and the few original pieces of a smaller size which it embraces, may be said to contain chiefly the old standard melodies of the church, which are now found in various styles of arrange ment in most of the popular Collections of the country. Though these melodies will continue in favor for many years, perhaps centuries, to come; they are not alone sufficient to satisfy the increasing demand for devotional music.

The volume entitled "Spiritual Songs," was intended for private and social uses, rather than for choirs and congregations; and the selection as well as the arrangement of the pieces, had special reference to this design.

The "Miscellany," which grew out of the late Musical Magazine, has been well received; but its size is not sufficient fully to meet the demand for new music. How far this demand is real or artifi cial; or how far it proceeds from the natural progress of science and taste, or from an undue regard to the claims of novelty, it is difficult to say: but the demand, such as it is, must, in a measure, be satisfied with timely supplies. In a country like ours, there will be no want of unworthy materials, such as may possess temporary attraction; and the surest way to secure the public taste from their deleterious influence, is, to furnish, to a convenient extent, materials of a better character. How far this important object will be effected by the present selection is left for the public to decide.

Most of the materials here presented will strike the reader as new. Many of the pieces are original. A portion of these were sent by various hands,

to the Compiler, in an unfinished state, with the expectation that he would correct and publish them, or lay them aside, at his option. The decision on such occasions was to have sole reference to the principle of utility. Specimens of a finished character have also been contributed to this work, for which we desire to express our grateful acknowledgments. Nor should we forget to mention, that interesting materials have been kindly put into our hands, by gentlemen of taste, who have recently returned from Europe. No pains have been spared to enrich the selection by every variety which Europe or America could afford. In relation to this matter, it would be easy to bring forward an array of great names and learned authorities: but we are willing that the present volume should speak for itself; and stand or fall solely on the ground of its intrinsic character. That it may contribute to the promotion of good taste, and serve, through the di. vine blessing, to advance the interests of religious edification, is the sincere prayer of

THE COMPILER.

The very rapid sale of several large editions of this valuable work, and the urgent call which still continues, have afforded the publishers the most substantial and gratifying proof, that this collection meets the views of a great portion of the friends of Sacred Music. While it contains a good number of old tunes of acknowledged merit, it principally consists of pieces either original or drawn from the works of the first and best composers in the world, and harmonized expressly for this work.