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rived from the mere perusal of poems, on: the most sublime, and to the heart of Ch the most interesting and dear? They are great importance, for inculcating, in a p form, religious knowledge on the minds young, awakening in them devout feeling associations, leading them to a heavenly spir an elevated character. But, in a peculiar m * they are important towards the pleasing and able discharge of those personal and family cises, in which music joins with poetry in exp and cherishing pious affections, and in more impressing on the soul, the great truths and ments of religion.

It is pleasing to observe a taste for sacred spreading among persons of every rank. Ho portant is it, that this taste should be encou and wisely directed; that it should be accomp with compositions which might render it su vient to the great purposes of religion; which engage the mind, awaken the feelings, eleva thoughts, and leave just and deep impressio divine objects on the heart! How delight think, that even the youthful, when alone, the bosom of their families, may be heard in st of heavenly melody, giving expression to d feelings, and carrying their own souls, and the of all around them, in sacred rapture to the bl regions of harmony and joy! And can there b exercise more suited to the circumstances of more acceptable to God, more interesting to a fe

heart, more directly fitted to touch, raise, and unite in piety and affection, the souls of human beings, than that of a family offering up their morning and evening sacrifices of praise, at the foot of the throne of grace? Would to God, that the publisher of this Collection, had power to persuade his readers, especially those for whose spiritual interests he ought to feel a peculiar concern, to engage often in these sacred and delightful exercises! That he could persuade persons who may think themselves incapable for directing in such a holy employment, to encourage and cultivate the talents of those in their families, who may be more qualified; and so far to do justice to themselves, as to procure the pleasure, and the profit, of sacred psalmody in their houses, through the means of the powers and acquirements of those who are most dear to them! Often has devotion been awakened, languid feelings quickened, and the most delightful thoughts and emotions inspired by the youthful voice, thrilling through the soul, and touching the strings of affection in the hearts of parents and of friends. To God let all our powers be devoted; to the service of God let the young be taught to consecrate chiefly those delightful talents which are too often wasted on vanity and folly. As this is their duty, so it is the noblest and most pleasing employment of their powers; nor in any other direction of them, will they ever appear so truly amiable, or communicate so high a pleasure to those friends who have a heart to feel true excellence and beauty.

To contribute his humble share for the encouragement and right direction of such personal and family exercises, has been a great motive with the Editor in the present publication. Nor will he deny that he was sometimes animated with a secret hope that he might perhaps thus also bring some small mite to the public Treasury, which, under the direction of superior talents, might be employed for the benefit of one of the most important and delightful parts of the service of the SANCTUARY.

PART I.

TRANSLATIONS AND PARAPHRASES.

1.

GENESIS i. 1.

1 LET heav'n arise, let earth appear,

said the almighty Lord:

The heav'n arose, the earth appear'd, at his creating word.

2 Thick darkness brooded o'er the deep: God said, "Let there be light;" The light shone forth with smiling ray, and scatter'd ancient night.

3 He bade the clouds ascend on high; the clouds ascend, and bear

A watʼry treasure to the sky, and float upon the air.

4 The liquid element below

was gathered by his hand; The rolling seas together flow,

and leave the solid land.

5 With herbs, and plants, and fruitful trees, the new-form'd globe he crown'd,

Ere there was rain to bless the soil, or sun to warm the ground.

B

6 Then high in heaven's resplendent arch

he plac'd two orbs of light;

He set the sun to rule the day,
the moon to rule the night.

7 Next from the deep, th' almighty King did vital beings frame;

Fowls of the air of ev'ry wing,
and fish of ev'ry name.

8 To all the various brutal tribes
gave their wondrous birth;

he

At once the lion and the worm

sprung from the teeming earth.

9 Then, chief o'er all his works below,
at last was Adam made;

His Maker's image bless'd his soul,
and glory crown'd his head.

10 Fair in th' almighty Maker's eye
the whole creation stood:

He view'd the fabric he had rais'd;
his word pronounced it good.

2.

GENESIS Xviii. 19.

1 GOD of our mercies, for thy care,
And all the blessings which we share,
With hearts united, we will raise
Each day to Thee the voice of praise.

2 To thee may each united house,
Morning and night present its vows;
And ever may each rising race
Be taught thy precepts and thy grace.

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