prove offensive to our Brethren; and at the same time to preserve the sentiment of universal benevolence and grace unimpaired.

Equal caution has been maintained against the admission of any Hymn that would not afford instruction, or inspire a devotional feeling.

It is believed that the defects which are commonly the subjects of complaint in the different collections now used by our Societies, have been so far avoided in this Selection, as to entitle it, at least, to a fair and unprejudiced examination.

Should such examination be accompanied with the approbation of competent inspectors, it is believed that the faithful friends of truth will not withhold their patronage.

To heighten the enjoyments of public devotion, to promote uniformity in our Churches, and to impart instruction and comfort to the worshipper, has been the principal object of the following Selection.

With these views, the Compiler submits the following work to the perusal of his Brethren, and commends it to the blessing of that God, whose praise it is designed to promote on the earth.

N. B. The alphabetical arrangement of the Psalms and Hymns in this Book, with the Index, or table of first lines, is thought to be a sufficient guide for every purpose to which it will be applied, without the addition of an index to the subjects, which would swell the size and expense of the Volume.

Whenever alterations have been made to improve the stile, or correct the sentiment of the original, in this selection, they have not been signified,except in cases where the general features of the Hymns have been materially changed.

PSALMS AND HYMNS.

1. C. M.

The Lord's Day Morning.

1 AGAIN the Lord of life and light
Awakes the kindling ray,
Unseals the eyelids of the morn,
And pours increasing day.

2 O what a night was that which wrapp'd
The heathen world in gloom!
O what a sun which broke, this day,
Triumphant from the tomb!

3 This day be grateful homage paid,
And loud hosannas sung;
Let gladness dwell in ev'ry heart,
And praise on ev'ry tongue.

4 Ten thousand diff'ring lips shall join
To hail this welcome morn,
Which scatters blessings from its wings
To nations yet unborn.

5 Jesus, the friend of human kind,
Was crucified and slain !

Behold, the tomb its prey resign!
Behold, he lives again!

Which for the sons of God remains ;
The end of cares, the end of pains.

4 With joy, great God, thy works we view,
In varied scenes, both old and new ;
With praise we think on mercies past,
By hope, we future mercies taste.

5 In holy duties, let the day,
In holy pleasures pass away:

How sweet this sabbath thus to spend,
In hope of that which ne'er shall end!

5 L. M.

Stennet, altered.

The Operations of Nature speak the Existence of God
Rom. 1. 20.

1 ALL nature speaks, let men givé ear,
And bow the reverential knee ;
The voice of nature they shall hear,
The God of nature they shall see.

2 Behold the stars with brilliant light,
And planets which in order move!
They all proclaim a God of might,
And testify a God of love.

The glorious sun, whose gentle beams
Enlivens all things here below;
The lucid moon, with paler gleams,
Proclaim a God that made them so.

4 Survey the whole capacious earth,
The sea and land, rocks, hills, and plains;
The God of nature gave them birth,
And by his law the whole maintains.

5 Behold the trees in verdure rise!
His wisdom shines in all their leaves:
Behold the birds that mount the skies,
And fish that fill the mighty seas!

6 They all unite to speak his pow'r,
From whom all life and being came;
Then let us all the Lord adore,
And bow before his rev'rend name.

6. L. M.

A. Kneeland.

Persecution and Intolerance, absurd.

1 ABSURD and vain attempt! to bind
With iron chains, the freeborn mind;
To force conviction, and reclaim
The wand'ring, by destructive flame!

2 Bold arrogance, to snatch from heaven,
Dominion not to mortals given!
O'er conscience to usurp the throne,
Accountable to God alone.

3 Our blessed Master's law of love,
Does no such cruelties approve;
Mild as himself, his doctrine wields
No arms, but those persuasion yields.

4 By proofs divine, and reasons strong,
It draws the willing soul along;
And conquests to his church acquires,
By eloquence, which heav'n inspires.

50 happy, who are thus compell'd
To the rich feast, by Jesus held !

9 Abide with us-to their request
The Stranger bows, with smiles divine;
Then round the board the unknown guest
And weary travellers recline.

10 Abide with us-amaz'd they cry,
As suddenly, whilst breaking bread,
Their own lost Jesus meets their
With radiant glory on his head!

eye,

11 Abide with us-thou heav'nly Friend,
Leave not thy foll'wers thus alone;
Nor let our sweet communion end,
But lead us to thy heav'nly home.

9. L. M.

T. Raffles.

Rain of Heaven. Psa. lxxii. 6. Isa. lv. 10, 11,
1 As show'rs on meadows newly mown,
Jesus shall shed his blessings down;
Crown'd with whose life-infusing drops,
Earth shall renew her blissful crops.

2 Lands, that beneath a burning sky,
Have long been desolate and dry,
Th' effusions of his love shall share,
And sudden greens and herbage wear.

3 The dews and rains in all their store,
Wat'ring the pastures o'er and o'er,
Are not so copious as that grace
Which sanctifies and saves our race.

4 As in soft silence, vernal show'rs
Descend, and cheer the fainting flow'rs;