This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1851 edition. Excerpt: ... the psalms and hymns, the sacred songs and melodies of Zion. All these contain much of sacred truth, much of divinity. They embody the sacred titles of Deity; they contain descriptions of the being and character of God, of his attributes and works, of redemption. How profane to sing with levity, ' ...
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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1851 edition. Excerpt: ... the psalms and hymns, the sacred songs and melodies of Zion. All these contain much of sacred truth, much of divinity. They embody the sacred titles of Deity; they contain descriptions of the being and character of God, of his attributes and works, of redemption. How profane to sing with levity, ' "Before J ehovah's awful throne, Ye nations bow with sacred joy; Know that the Lord is God alone, He can create, and he destroy 1" What profanity, what disrespect for the sacred solemnl ties of religious worship, what an insult to the infinite majesty of Deity thus to sing, "God is in heaven, and men below; Be short our tunes; our words be few: A solemn rev'rence checks our songs, And praise sits silent on our tongues!" How irreverent, how offensive to the Most High, what trifling with his infinite mercy, what contempt of his dying love, to sing, with a mind void of thought, and a heart void of feeling, The angels and seraphs, the thrones and dominions, the principalities and powers of thy presence, O God, treat thee not thus. "Thee while the first archangel s'mgs, He hides his face behind his wings; And ranks of shining thrones around Fall worshiping, and spread the ground." How much more does a sacred reverence, a solemn, soul-pervading awe become us, while we thus approach the Lord! 4. When we pray we specially come nigh the Lord. Prayer is an address to God; it is speaking to him; an hour of converse with him; a season of audience with the Deity. The same is true whether we join in the prayers of the public assemblages of God's house or in the more private circles of his children; whether we pray alone in our chamber, or join in the devotions at the family altar. In all there is an...
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