Singing ought to be cultivated in schools. A wrong inflicted if omitted.

so sweet, when well used, as to be the highest standard of comparison,-in these points, for the flute, clarionet, piano, and organ.'

Now let any one consider this wonderful provision, prepared and at hand every where, created by God himself, let him remember that the soul is so delighted with music, that the highest and sweetest emblem by which inspiration could describe heaven, is that of the ten thousand times ten thousand, angels and men, joined in one mighty choir, before the throne of God, and all unitedly praising him forever and ever,—and then say if singing ought not to have a prominent place in all systems of education? Especially, ought it not to have a very prominent place in the very nursery of the church-the Sabbath School? I cannot but feel that we are very far behind the proper standard on this subject; and I plead in behalf of every child, with the earnestness of one who was himself neglected in childhood in this particular, and who has in consequence suffered a loss of enjoyment which no language can describe. By such neglect we inflict a wrong upon the children, which is not the less real or cruel, that they do not now feel and mourn over it.

Till within a short time, it has been an opinion almost universal, that but a few could be taught to sing; that the talent for music was a peculiar gift of nature, entrusted to a favored few. Parents have decided, unless, indeed, their child learned to sing

Talent not confined to a few. All can sing,-first proof. Second proof.

almost by inspiration, that their children had no taste for music. The opinion has become so prevalent that but a very small part of our congregations even pretend to sing, or suppose themselves capable. Nor are they capable, at the present time and under the present circumstances; but would it have been so, had proper pains been taken when they were children? How much pains do parents take to teach a child to speak correctly? Had children the opportunity of hearing speaking, and of being taught to speak only as they have opportunity to learn to sing, would any more be able to talk, than are able now to sing? I shall not contend that every child who can be taught to speak, might be taught to sing; but I believe the exceptions would be very rare. me to state a few plain facts.

Allow

1. In an Orphan Asylum in Germany containing two hundred children, there are only two certainly, who have not learned to sing, and that too, correctly. These children, of course, are taken early, and probably considerable pains are taken with them; be this so or not, the fact is one of great weight in deciding such a question.

2. In all the common district schools in Germany, singing and music are taught, and every child is as much expected to read and write, and perform music, as to read, write, and recite any other lesson. It is not pretended, indeed, that these are all first-rate singers, or that they go deeply into the science of

Third proof.

Fourth proof.

Fifth proof.

music; but that they go far enough to be respectable performers in sacred music.

3. When a gentleman wishes to have his daughter taught music on the piano, the question, in these days, is not asked, ' has the child an ear for music,— can she ever learn music ?'-but the question is, can he afford the expense of the instrument and of the tuition; if he can do that, every music-teacher will engage to take care of the rest, and to create a taste, sufficient, at least, to make her a performer who shall be the pride of her parents. This could not be done, if it were true, that the power of being a musician must always be innate.

4. The Puritans of New-England, almost without exception, were accustomed to have singing at their family devotions, in which all the members of the family soon learned to take a part. This was so of the Scotch covenanters. They were denominated a 'Psalm-singing generation' in part, because all, old and young, were accustomed to sing.

5. It has been found by the Professors of music of the present day, who have made extensive trials, that they can go into a common school, and take the children as they rise, and teach them all to sing. There are, indeed, rare cases of organic defect, just as there are cases in which the eye has been known to mistake red for green,-in which singing cannot be taught. But these are exceptions; but were the season of childhood faithfully improved, few would be

Interesting account by Wesley of Sabbath School singing.

pronounced as unfit to join in the songs of Zion. The right habits, however, must be formed at the right time, which is childhood. Few children fail of being able to sing, whose parents are singers, and who, as a consequence, hear singing from their very infancy. In cases in which an attempt has been made to teach a school to sing, and it has failed, I would suggest whether it has not been in consequence of not having it very simple. You may teach a child any thing, even mathematics; but you must begin with what is very simple. The Methodists seldom fail to get all their children to sing their simple music. The following is from the pen of Wesley. "About three o'clock in the afternoon of the Lord's day, April 20, 1788, I met between nine hundred and a thousand of the children belonging to our Sunday Schools in Bolton. I never saw such a sight before. They were all exactly clean, as well as plain in their apparel. All were serious and well-behaved; many, both boys and girls, had as beautiful faces as, I believe, England or Europe can afford. When they all sung together, and none of them out of tune, the melody was beyond that of any theatre. And what is best of all, many of them truly fear God, and some rejoice in his salvation. These are a pattern to all the town. And this I must avow, there is not such a set of singers in any of the Methodist congregations in the three kingdoms as in this town. There cannot be; for we have near a hundred such trebles, boys and girls, selected

Two points to be insisted on. What Hymns shall be used in these schools.

out of our Sunday Schools, and accurately taught, as are not to be found together in any chapel, cathedral, or music room, within the four seas. Besides the spirit with which they sing, and the beauty of many of them so suits the melody, that I defy any to exceed it, except the singing of angels in our father's house."

There are two points to be insisted on in teaching children in the Sabbath School to sing: viz.-that the vowels are to be pronounced clearly and distinctly, just as we pronounce them in speaking. If this be overlooked, and the vowels and consonants be run into each other, it will be singing in an unknown tongue. Great pains should be taken to have the enunciation clear and distinct. The other point is, to have them taught to place the emphasis right, so as to have the music correspond with the words. What is the object of singing, except to give the words more power and interest? How can this object be accomplished, except by attention to the emphasis? This suggests another inquiry; viz: what hymns shall be used in our Sabbath Schools? I shall speak with diffidence on this point, because there is a great diversity of opinion and practice, and because I am not perfectly satisfied that any of them are right. In very many schools, perhaps the majority in the land, Hymns are used, selected and arranged on purpose for Sabbath Schools, such as the Union Hymns and the like. The great advantage is thought to be, that in such a selection you can have a great variety