avoidably, result from the establishment of this excellent Institution? Need I describe to you the vast multitudes who, in contempt of human, and defiance of divine, Laws, appropriate the Lord's day to their own pursuits, seldom innocent, often profligate; some of whom, led by accident, others induced by curiosity, and not a few prompted by inclination, to visit this dwelling of the Lord of Hosts, merely for the purpose of hearing the melody of the Choir, may become not occasional, but constant, attendants upon it; and may learn-to very many a new lesson!-to "praise God, not only with their lips, but in their "lives?" Need I represent to you the comfort and satisfaction you may introduce into your families, and, consequently, establish in your own minds, by inspiring your servants, as well your domestics, as those employed in your several occupations-with a love of Psalmody, which will most easily be done by requiring these, and persuading those, to join in the public worship of this house of prayer? Need I represent to you, how much it is your interest, not only to remove every prejudice, obviate every objection, and silence every complaint, which ignorance may urge, and indifference allege against an uniform attendance on the service of the Church, but also to hold out the strongest attractions, and the most fascinating allurements, to prevail with men to appropriate to themselves the edification and devotion which every well-disposed mind, may, by the blessing of God, feel and experience on earth, as an emblem, and anticipation, of the happiness of Heaven? Convinced of the utility of the Institution, permit me to entreat you to shew your approbation of it by your liberality. Your Your contributions are, you will recollect, to be distributed, and to consist of the most judicious distributions, among persons, with whose characters you are acquainted, and who bind themselves, under a public, and solemn, engagement, to exemplary conduct; for it would be inconsistent indeed, in men, who are employed in "singing to the praise and "glory of God," to disgrace themselves, and to dishonor the Almighty, either by notorious profligacy, or even by partial obedience. Rather, let me recommend it to you who compose the Choir, to shew, in your whole deportment, that the devotion which you communicate to others, influences yourselves. You will, by these means, make a striking, and powerful, appeal to the hearts of the congregation in behalf of your fund; and, however your Choir may encrease in numbers, you will have an abundant resource in the attachment and affection of all who are solicitous for the success of the Gospel, and the diffusion of its blessings. That the Choir may, continually be in a progressive state with respect to numbers, cannot, to the inhabitants of a commercial town, be an object of indifference; because the cultivation of the knowlege of the principles of music, and the endeavor to arrive at a certain degree of excellence in the execution of it, may be an amusement, as agreeable, and, at the same time, as useful, as any which can be proposed to young people, who, during the intervals of business, might devote themselves to less laudable, and less innocent, pursuits. This, however desirable it must be to parents and masters who are, peculiarly, interested in the principles they adopt, and the conduct they pursue, can can only be accomplished by little gratifying donations, presented, individually, to the Choir, which will be considered as incentives to diligence, motives to emulation, and testimonies of approbation. And a louder, or more general, call upon the nation at large, not only to cultivate morality, and promote Religion; but, in an especial manner, to support the established Church, was never made, than at this awful juncture. Humbly, and earnestly; do I implore the Almighty that it may not be made in vain! For men, those especially in a lower sphere, who, entirely, absent themselves from an attendance on Divine Ordinances, influenced neither by the restraints of principle, nor the sense of Religion-cannot be expected to be peaceable citizens; deluded by the factious, and enflamed by the artful, they will, naturally, become dissatisfied in their minds, and turbulent in their manners. If, on the other hand, they learn their Religion in conventicles, I appeal to observation and experience, whether they do not often-it may be, insensibly-imbibe an abhorrence of the Church, disaffection to Majesty, and an hatred of Government. To establish quiet, perpetuate order, and preserve property, we must implant vital Religion in the hearts of men. This will be the highest proof of our loyalty, the strongest testimony of our attachment to the person of our King, and of obedience to his Government; and every other will, without this, be no better than seeking a weak stay against a tottering wall, by which we shall, sooner, or later, be crushed in pieces, and buried under its ruins. Be it then your endeavor to disseminate pure, and genuine, Religion; and should your your ardor lead you not only to recommend it as a comfort, but in your several families even to impose it as an obligation, yet let it be always, and upon every occasion, attractive in its mien, and engaging in its intercourse. Remove every obstacle to attend. ance upon public worship. Offer every inducement to lead all men, but more especially your own houshold, to the Courts of the Lord's house. Your zeal to establish a principle of Religion in the heart, and to promote its influence in the conduct, of men, may not be so successful, as might, naturally, be wished, and, reasonably, be expected, considering the advantages it proposes, and the blessings it bestows, "as well in the life that now is, as in that which is to "come." But should your attention in this act of Christian Charity be defeated, you may have the satisfaction of knowing that the faculty of speech, by which they are distinguished from the brute creation, is not, always, exerted in uttering lies, or impre cating curses, but is, sometimes, employed in celebrating the praises of Him who hath endowed them with it-that their voice is raised in shewing forth the Salvation, which His compassion prescribed, and His love accomplished. And one of the most efficacious methods which piety can plan, and munificence encourage, will be the support, together with the increase, of your Choir, "whose lips," like the Psalmist's, will greatly rejoice, when they sing unto God, and so will their souls which He hath "redeemed." May the Almighty dispose your hearts to this work and labor of love! And may He, of His mercy grant, that we all, after sing |