Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1873-06-25
THE CHRONICLE.
For the Chronicle.
SINGERS BELONGING TO THE
TEMPLE.

For the Chronicle.
SINGERS BELONGING TO THE
TEMPLE.
The singers were many, but all Oi
the Church, either Jews or proselytes
nor were there any as 1 know Of un
der the Old Testament worship ad.
mitted to sing the songs of the Church,
or to celebrate that part of worship
with the Saints, but they who at least
in appearance we're SO. The songs OF
Moses, of Deborah, and Of those who
danced before David, with others that
we read OF, were all performed either
by Jews by nature or by such as were
proselyted to their religion (Ex., xv.:
y; and such worship then was occa-
stoned by Gods appearance for them
AGAINST the power of the Gentiles-
their enemies. But we will confne
ourself to the songs of the Temple, a
more distinct type Of ours in the
Church under the gospel:
1st, The singers then were many /;
but the chief of them in the days of
David were David himself, Asaph,
Jeduthan and Heman, and their sons.
I'd, In David's time the chief of these
singers were two hundred fourscore
and eight Il. Chron., xxv.).
These singers were to -eing their
songs over the burnt offerings, which
was a type of the sacrificed body Of
Christ. memorial of which offering
we have at the Lords table, the con-
summation of which Christ and His
Disciples celebrated with a hymn
Matt, xxvi.:30). As Cf old, they
were the Church that did sing in the
Temple according to the institution
that God gave. So also they are by
Gods appointment TO be sung by the
Church in the New Testament
hence, they are said to be the re-
deemed that sing. and the songs that
they sing are said to be the songs of
their redemption (Rev. wei. They
were and are songs that no man can
sing but they. -re-. .5..a-
But let US run a little in the paral-
lei: They were OF old appointed to
sing that were cunning and skillful in
songs; and answerable to that it is
said that no man could learn our New
Testament songs but the hundred and
forty and four thousand which were
redeemed from the earth. These songs
were sung with harps, psalteries. Gym
balls and trumpets, type Of our sing
ing with spiritual joy from grace in
our hearts Il. Chron., xxv.:6). The
singers Of old were to be clothed in
fine linen, which fine linen was a
type Of innocence and an upright con-
versation hence, the singers under
the New Testament are said TO be vir-
gins, such in whose mouth was no
guile, and that were without fault be-
fore the throne Of God Il. ChrOn., xv.:
l to 81.
Thesongs in the Temple were new,
or such as were compiled after the
manner of repeated mercies that the
Church of God had received or were
to receive; and answerabIe to this is
the Church to sing now new songs
with new hearts for new mercies.-
New songs, / say, are grounded on |
new matters. new occasions, new mer- |
ciesi new deliverances, new discov-
cries of God to the soul, or for new |
frames of heart and are such as are
most taking, most pleasing and most
refreshing to the soul. ~
The songs Of old. to distinguish |
them from heathenish ones, were
called Gods songs, the Lords songs, !
Because taught by Him and learned OF
Him, and eDjoining them to be sung |
in His praise. Hence David said God |
had put new song into his mouth,
even praise to our God, These songs
were also called songs Of Zion and the
songs of the Temple (Ps., exxxyii.;3);
and they were so called as they were
theirs to sing there. I say to them of
Sion, or Zion, and the worshiPpers Of
the Temple-I say to sing in the
Church by the Church, to Him who
is the God of the Church, for the mer-
eies, benefits and blessings which she
has received from Him. Sion'ssongs,
Temple songs, must be sung by Sion's
sons and Temple worshippers. The
redeemed of the Lord shall return
and come to Sion with songs and ev-
srlasting joy upon their heads; they
shall obtain joy and gladness; F.; aud
sorrow and signing shall flee away
therefore they shall come and sing in
the height or upon the mountains of
Zion, and shall flow together thither
TO the goodness of the Lord. Break
forth into singing, ye mountains, and
let the inhabitants of the Rock sing.
To sing to God is the highest worship
We are capable of performing in
heaven, and 1t is much If sinners on
Earth without grace should be capable
,f performing 1t according to his III
acceptably. I pray God it
De done by all those that nowadays
get into Churches, III spirit and with
L. n n |