cious hearer blush for the poor beginner, when set down by the command of a fond parent to entertain, performing that of which she scarce knows the very rudiments; while all is disappointment on their part, and, if she has any understanding, confusion on hers!

Is the preacher then an enemy to music? Much the reverse. Where there is a real genius for it, improved by art, and regulated by sentiment, nothing surely can be more charming or affecting. Its importance in the ancient Jewish worship is well known. Ofits beauty and usefulness in our churches, when conducted in a manner suitable to its sacred purpose, and not prostituted to levity, or perverted by ostentation, I am not insensible its influence in all ages and nations stands universally confessed. It is founded indeed in some of the strongest perseptions of nature, wherever she has seen fit to confer a lively sensibility to the melody of sounds.

But how much is it to be regretted, that this wonderful charm of melody properly so called, together with the whole merit of expression, should be sacrificed, as we frequently find, to the proud but poor affectation of mere trick and execution; that, instead of rendering the various combinations of sounds a powerful instrument of touching the heart, exciting agreeable emotions, or allaying uneasy sensations, as in the days of

1

old, it should be generally degraded into an idle amusement, devoid of dignity, devoid of meaning, absolutely devoid of any one ingredient that can inspire delightful ideas, or engage unaffected applause! What lover of this enchanting art but must lament, that the most insipid song which can disgrace it, is no sooner heard in places of public entertainment, than every young lady who has learnt the common notes, is immediately taught to repeat it in a manner still more insipid: while the most sublime and interesting compositions, where simplicity and greatness unite, are seldom or never thought of in her case; as if the female mind were incapable of relishing any thing grave, pathetic or exalted!

Let me here call on every musical spirit of your sex, to assert the rights of good sense; and to insist that those, who are entrusted with this branch of their education, shall not fail to introduce them, as early as possible, into an acquaintance with whatever is most beautiful and noble in the article of melody. The more thorough knowledge of harmony may come afterwards, if you are ambitious of advancing so far. In the mean time, you will have the satisfaction of pleasing the best judges, and of entertaining yourselves with such pieces as, while the words to which they are set convey no sentiments but what are elevated or virtuous shall serve to re

fine and enliven your thoughts, to raise your spirits into joy, or compose them into sweetness, and on chosen occasions, by the diviner strains of solemn music, to lift your hearts to heaven, prove a kind of prelude to the airs of paradise, and prepare you for joining the choir of angels.

MEMOIR

OF THE

LIFE AND CHARACTER OF THE

REV. WILLIAM M'EWEN.

THE worthy author of the following Essays, was descended from pious and respectable parents in the town of Perth, who spared neither pains nor expence to give him a truly christian and liberal education. To this they were greatly encouraged by the early attachment which he himself shewed, both to piety and learning.

His constitution of body was rather delicate and weakly; though in common he was tolerably healthy; but his intellectual powers were sound and strong. He had a penetrating and comprehensive mind; a fine perception; and an elegant taste. These happy talents were attended with solidity of judgment, and a sense of the truly beautiful and sublime, peculiar to himself; and still farther heightened, by an imagination and invention equally lively, and a memory uncommonly capacious and retentive.

To cultivate and improve these admirable natural endowments, he employed the most assiduous care, and unwearied industry. By his diligent study of the Roman and Greek classies; of logic and philosophy; of the best English poets and historians: and, above all, the scriptares of truth, in their originals, with the most judicious and evangelical books of our own and foreign divines; he collected a large stock of the best ideas, and enriched his mind with a variety of select knowledge, and suitable literature.

His studies in divinity were assisted for some years by the advice of the late celebrated Mr. Ebenezer Erskine of Stirling; and finished under the tuition of the Rev. James Fisher of Glasgow.

He was in 1753 licensed to preach the gospel by the associate presbytery of Dunfermline; and, in the beginning of the year 1754, he was ordained, by the same presbytery, minister of the associate congregation in the town of Dundee.

Having in a solemn and public manner, devoted himself to the more immediate service of the blessed Jesus, in the ministration of his gospel, and had the charge of a particular flock committed to him; he was earnestly desirous to have them grounded in the principles, and actuated by the true spirit of Christ's gospel. Entirely satisfied, that the scriptural plan of re