still be found in the world supplies sufficient for the inhabitant. So bountiful and provident is nature! The distribution of oceans, seas, and rivers; the variety of fields, meadows, and groves; the luxuriance of fruits, herbs, and flowers; the return of spring, summer, autumn, and winter, not only regular in their approaches, but bringing with them presents, to make their return desirable; the pleasant vicissitudes of day and night; all have a voice which, by telling man he is constantly receiving favours, reminds him he should be ready to bestow them.

Dyer's Dissertation on Benevolence.

CHAPTER XX.

SACRED PIECES IN PROSE AND VERSE.

WITHIN the whole range, through which the exercise of this valuable talent, the art of Reading is extended, IMPRESSIVE reading will be found no where so requisite, as in delivering the Scriptures. Impressive reading, besides possessing the requisites

of intelligible and correct reading, must, in addition, have the following, viz. expression of the voice, expression of the countenance, direction of the eye, variety of manner, as to rapidity of delivery, and rhetorical pauses.

The composition of the Sacred Oracles is of that original and various character, which demands every effort on his part, who is called upon to deliver them for the instruction of others.

Hardly is there a chapter, which does not contain something, which requires the most impressive reading; as remonstrance, threatening, command, encouragement, sublime description, awful judgments. The narrative is interrupted by frequent, and often unexpected trànsitions; by bold and unusual figures; and by precepts of most extensive application and most admirable use.

In the narrative, the reader should deliver himself with a suitable simplicity and gravity of demeanour.-In the transitions, which are often rapid, he should manifest a quick conception, and by rhetorical pauses and suitable changes of voice, express and render intelligible, the new matter or change of scene.-In the figurative and sublime, which every where abound, his voice should be sonorous, and his countenance expressive of the elevation of his subject. In the precepts, he should deliver himself with judgment and discretion; and when he repeats the words and precepts of our Lord himself, with more distinguished mildness,

U

*

mingled with dignified authority. Such reading would be a perpetual and luminous commentary on the Sacred Writings; and would convey more solid instruction than the most learned and brilliant ser

mons.

3 r

1.

MOSES' SONG. Exod. chap. xv.

I will sing unto the Lord, or

A

A

A

The horse and his | rider hath he thrown into the sea

his rider

And in the greatness of thine excellency,
Thou hast overthrown them that rose up against

thee;

Thou sentest forth thy wrath,

Which consum'd them as a stubble.

8.

And with the blast of thy nostrils
The waters were gather'd together:

The floods stood upright as a heap,

And the depths were congeal'd in the midst of the

sea.

9.

The enemy said, I will pursue,

I will overtake,

I will divide the spoil :

My lust shall be satisfied upon them,

I will draw my sword,

My hands shall destroy them.