in relation to prayer. If
all are to pray, so "in everything" are all to "give thanks." If we are
to "pray without ceasing," so we are told, "let every thing that hath
breath praise the Lord." Again, "is _any_ man afflicted, let him pray:
is he merry (joyful), let him _sing_ psalms." The direction is not, "if
any man is joyful, let him attend a concert or listen to exercises in
praise," but "let him _sing_." There is something to be done in his own
proper person.

Our necessities compel us to pray. A mere permission to do so, might
seem to suffice. For we must pray earnestly and perseveringly, or perish
forever. But will it do meanwhile to be sparing in our thanks? True, one
may say, I am under infinite obligations to give thanks, and I generally
endeavor to do so when engaged in the exercise of prayer. But, remember
there is another divinely constituted exercise called praise. Why not
engage in this also, and mingle petitions with your praises? This is the
scriptural method of expressing gratitude and adoration, and for
ourselves, we see not how individuals are to be excused in neglecting
it. Every one, it is true, would not succeed as an artist, if he had
never so many advantages. But every one who has the ordinary powers of
speech, might be so far instructed in song, as to mingle his voice with
others in the solemn assembly, or at least to use it in private to his
own edification. This position has been established in these later times
beyond the possibility of a rational doubt. Proofs of it have been as
clear as demonstration. These, perhaps, may be exhibited in another
number.

But in reply to this statement it will be said, that cultivation is
exceedingly difficult if deferred to adult years. Well, be it so. It
follows, that since it is not difficult in years of childhood and youth,
all our children should have early and adequate instruction. There
should be singing universally in Christian families. And this is the
precise point I have endeavored to establish in the present article. How
far the neglects and miscarriages of youth may excuse the delinquences
of adult years, I dare not presume to decide or conjecture. It may
suffice my present purpose to show that according to the Bible all
_should_ sing; and that all _might_ sing if instruction had not been
neglected. Is it not high time for such neglect to be done away? And how
shall it ever be done away, except by the introduction of music into
Christian famili