The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1854-02-09

Ihls IS taxing the matter rather
seriously but suPposing the tune of
" Old Jaw Bone" should be introduced
into " Church Psalmody'' We think
it would b, quite as appropriate and
quite as much to the purpose as many
of the hymns which are now used in
public worship. Take for instance the
following from collection of" hymns"
published especially for use in worship:
The way is all new as it opens to view
And behind is n foaming Red sea;
So none need to speak, Of the onions and
leeks.
Or to talk about garlics to me.
What though some in the rear
Preach up terror and fear,
And complain Of the trials they meet;
Tho the giants before with great iury do
roar,
I'm resolved will never retreat.
Such were the hymns sung fifty years
since, and, and indeed, too many similar
ones are used in what is called praising
God in this day. 1t may be thought
this an extraordinary case-one selected
for a purpose but we think it quite All
average of those making up the collec
ton from which it is taken; certainly
there is nothing very elevating in it con-
sidered either as poetry or sentiment /;
and yet we have heard the same hymn
jargon, more properly-most beautifully
sung.
But We think there has been, within
fifty years, judging by the hymns now
ip use, and those used half century
since--negro minstrelsy to the contrary
notwi,hstanding--a great improvement
in the use Of hymns adapted to public
worship. But We must be allowed to
say that we think very many of the col
lections Of hymns now in use might be
very profitably pruncd. Indeed we do
not see the necessity Of using, at all,
the productions Of profane and unsacti.
fed men, however great the talent or
bright the genius, when Holy Writ fur
nishes such fund of words most ad-
mirably adapted to the use of music in
public worship. What can be more
soul inspiring than the psalms of David
Take, for instance, the following -
The bcavens declare the glory of Gods
And the firmament showeth his handywork.
Day unto day uttereth speech,
, And night unto night showeth knowledge.
, There is no sbcech nor language
: Where their voice is not heard.
, Their line is gone out through all the earth,
And their words to the end OF the world.
[ In them hath he set tabernacle for the sun,
, Which is as a bridegroom coming out of hi
chamber,
And rejoiceth as strong man TO run race
, His going forth is from the end of the heaven
{ And his circuit unto the ends it,
= e. nd there is nothing hid from the heat thereof
e Now compare that with the iollowin;
j and observe how infinitely short it is il
every respect.
( How vain are all things here below!
How false and yet how fair!
Each pleasure hath its poison too,
And every sweet it's snare.
The brightest things below the sky
!. Shine with deceiving light;
n We should suspect some danger nigh,
: Where we possess delight.
i Our dearest joys our nearest friends,
;, The partners Of our blood
How they divide our wayering minds
And leave but half for God
The fondness of creatures love,
How strong it strikes the sense
'Tis there the warm affections move,
Nor can we call them thence.
d That may bo considered decent poetl