without wrath and doubting." And how much the apostles and apostolic christians abounded in prayer, is evident enough to every man who reads the Acts and the Epistles. After the ascension of Christ, and before the descent of the Holy Spirit at the day of Pentecost, we read that the apostles and other disciples, "all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication." So, after the three thousand had been added, we read of them that they "continued steadfastly in the apostle's doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread and in prayers." So after Peter and John, having been arrested by the rulers, were dismissed as men whom it was best to let alone, and returning to their own company reported all that the chief priests and elders had said, we find recorded the unpremeditated language in which they expressed their devotions. And not to prolong this part of the discussion with unnecessary citations, it is enough to say that the apostles, and such as learned of them, prayed" always with all prayer," or more accurately, with all sorts of prayer; that is, in every thing by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, they made known their requests unto God.

2. In respect to singing, we find the apostles speaking thus. "Be filled with the spirit, speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your

hearts to the Lord." (Eph. v. 18-19.) "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” (Col. jii. 16.) And in one more instance," By Jesus therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is the fruit of our lips. giving thanks to his name." (Heb. xiii. 15.)

This singing, the music of the primitive christian assemblies, was the effusion and expression of devotional feeling on the part of the worshippers. It was not, as is the case in too many temples of modern christianity, a mere exhibition of skill on the part of the performers. It was a solemn act of worship, in which the soul rose up to God, and had communion with his Spirit. Nor is it to be doubted that as many as had voices to sing, regarded it as a duty and a privilege to bear a part, and to qualify themselves for bearing a part in the delightful hymns of God's worship. With them too, as appears from the christian writings of the first three centuries, the singing of psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, was not for the church or for the Lord's day alone; it was a part of the worship in their families, and when they happened to meet together. Their hymns cheered them in their toils, gave variety and devotion to their social intercourse, and spread the spirit of their

F

religion over all their employments and all their

joys and sorrows. The song of christian joy

and praise rose like angel notes, from the solitudes and tombs where the persecuted hid themselves, from the dark cell of the imprisoned, and from amid the agonies of the martyr.* And this it was, which gave to their religion, in the sight of their enemies, a strange aspect of cheerfulness and triumph.

With us

Would it were more so among us. music is generally esteemed an important part of a polished education, and especially important in the education of daughters. It is an art taught scientifically by skillful professors. Time, labor, and money are expended prodigally_to acquire so valued an accomplishment. But why? To what uses are this knowledge and skill applied, when acquired? How many are there, children of christian parents, if not themselves church members, who would deem it quite beneath them to use this dear bought accomplishment in the worship of God. Psalm-sing

"A sweet and solemn breathing strain,

Piercing the flames, untremulous and clear!
The rich triumphal tones!-

Man's voice was there-a clarion voice to cheer

In the mid-battle-ay, to turn the flying

Woman's--that might have sung of heaven beside the dying.

It was a fearful, yet a glorious thing,

To hear that hymn of martyrdom, and know

That its glad stream of melody could spring

Up from the unsounded depths of human wo."-Hemans.

ing is not for them.

Their voices help not to swell the tide of song in the sanctuary. Their songs are not the songs of Zion.

Frequent mention is made of both these parts of worship, in the writings of the early christian fathers. And though the authority of the writers who immediately followed the apostles, can make nothing binding which is not enforced by the authority of the scriptures; it is interesting to know that the particular conclusions respecting primitive modes of worship, which can be gathered out of the writings of the first three centuries, are generally accordant with the conclusions to be derived from the New Testament. These conclusions, as they have been gathered by men best qualified in respect to learning, skill, and impartiality, may be most clearly exhibited in brief answers to a few common questions.

1. Was social prayer confined to consecrated places, and to the stated Lord's day assemblies? By no means. Read the Acts of the

apostles, and see if every occasion of interest was not then deemed an occasion for prayer. James had been killed with the sword; Peter was in prison also, and king and people were waiting for the day in which he too should be put to death. In this emergency, prayer was offered to God in his behalf by the church, without ceasing. (Acts xii. 5.) When? where? and how? Was this unceasing prayer offered in the

temple? Was it on the first day of the week only? Was it only when the whole church was formally assembled? Let us see. On the night before his expected execution, God by a miracle answered these prayers, and set the apostle at liberty. At once he proceeded to the house of Mary the mother of Mark " where many were gathered together praying." What sort of a meeting was this? Was it the stated assembly of the church, at its accustomed place, on the Lord's day? But where were the apostles, who at that time presided in that church, and gave themselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word? They were not present at this meeting; for no sooner had Peter told the astonished company how the Lord had delivered him, than he added, "Go show these things unto James and the brethren." What sort of meeting, then was it, which was held by night at the house of that widow, Mary the mother of Mark? Why it was just what in these days would be called a prayer-meeting in a private house. So when Paul, journeying towards Jerusalem, and incidentally stopping a few days at Tyre, had found disciples there, and had formed with them a brief but happy acquaintance, they all, when he was about to leave them, followed him out of the city, with their wives and children, to the place of embarkation, and ere the parting salutations