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Some were to "stand every morning to thank and praise the Lord, and likewise at even." This was the special work of certain of the younger Levites, whose voices retained their tone and power. They formed a choir to aid in the interest and beauty of Divine service. As this subject has been somewhat fully dealt with in previous outline homilies, we do but suggest a new framework, which the earlier materials will enable the reader to clothe. Deal with the mission of church choirs and singing bands, and show -

I. THEIR MISSION TO GIVE EXPRESSION TO OTHERS' FEELINGS, and to strengthen them by expression.

II. THEIR MISSION TO INTEREST OTHERS IN DIVINE THINGS.

III. THEIR MISSION IN AROUSING OTHERS TO RELIGIOUS ANXIETY, as with the singing of revival hymns. Then press the importance of cultured spiritual fitness for the efficient fulfilment of this mission. They who sing for the religious helping and teaching of men must themselves be sincere, devout, earnest, and pious. It is as true of this as of any other form of Christian service, that "we can only kindle fire when we are ourselves on fire." "In order to the high result intended, the music of religion must be religious. There must be a distinction of sounds. As this language is given for the heart, it becomes a first principle that it must be of the heart, else it is an unknown tongue. And so true is this, that nothing can really fulfil the idea of religious music which is not the breathing of true love and worship. Even instruments without life will not speak the true notes of power unless the touch of faith is on them, and the breath of holy feeling is in them; how much less the voice itself, whose very qualities of sound are inevitably toned by the secret feeling of the spirit?" (Dr. Horace Bushnell). - R.T.

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KJV: And to stand every morning to thank and praise the LORD, and likewise at even;

WEB: and to stand every morning to thank and praise Yahweh, and likewise in the evening;