Morning journal and courier., 1882-03-03

should be read with discretion, as each writer was apt to be tinctured with his own religious views.
 On the subject of music in the churches, Dr. Hall was eloquent in his plea for devo- tional music. I say with regard to partlc- ular piece of music, how do I like it? As succession of pleasing cadences falls upon my ear, producing an impression upon my mind, I say how do I like 1t as an expression of love, trust and devotion to the God whom I love and worship :? he made to Rome where he listened for three hours to the Miserere, which he was told was one of the most impressive musical compositions that could be heard in Europe So it was to many; but to me the spirit of true devotion seemed lacking, and I recog- nized feeling of weariness and tiredness at the performance. As far the impression on me is concerned, I'd rather hear you (the seminary students) sing as you sang this af- ternoon, or hear the children in mission school sing Gods praises, than to hear that wonderful artistic production, because l want to feel the music at Gods worship to be music addressed devotionally to the ear of Him who is our father and infinitely good and holy.
 The speaker counselled careful attention to the reading of scriptures. All parts of divine service needed careful, reverent atten- ton. It is quite possible to read the scrip lures irreverently. The speaker advised the preparatory reading carefully of the passages selected to be read in church, in order that the due infection and proper rendering of the meaning might be given. The scriptures were the undiluted word of God and not to be read inattentively.
 Dr. Hall wanted everybody having any thing to say to take pains to say it clearly, lucidly, transparently. He secuted the phrase Introductory services' as applied to divine worship. It was reprehensible expression. It seemed to indicate that all was introducto- ry to the sermon. The whole worship was a unit as regards its reverentia1 character. l Never let anything betray you into relegating this part of the worship into preliminary. Try to make men feel the spirit of worship l from the moment they come into the house 1 of God till the end of the service. 1 Wittlcism in the pulpit, indulged in to show | off, was reprehensible The speaker was accidentally sitting where he was compelled to listen to what two young men were say ing. They were speaking of preacher, and l all they could recollect of a sermon they
 
 l to the cutting off of the ear of the servant oi the high priest, Poor fellow, and they had no Ponds extract there.
 1 Dr. Hall next offered suggestions to prayer in the pulpit, criticising the so-called extemporaneous form, where the preacher gave no previous thought beforehand to the important work. Admitting, he said, that there was nothing in the unwritten constitu tion of the church forbidding the use o1 written prayers, he yet disapproved of them The speaker himself prepared book witt forms of prayer for the use of young heads of families who wished to institute family prayer, but had no facility of Ian guage. But extemporaneous prayer ough to be abolished. The special wants anc needs, and dangers of the flock, should b. considered beforehand, that the prayer may take hold of the hearts, needs and wants an6 convictions of the people, and touch them il a common bond of sympathy. The thoughts should be put as much as possible in th' Bible language Pray so that the people, hearts will be with you. The speaker, il closing, made showing of figures and statis tics confronting as erroneous the claim tha demand for liturgical prayers was growing l and increasing.