W. But, Sir, how can a song be to the glory of God? Do you mean psalms? they are so long and so dull.
G. Let us suppose that the lark knew who made and who loved it. Would it sing differently from its usual manner?
W. Is not that its proper way of singing, Sir?
G. Yes; but you spoke of its song as being merely to please itself. Now, if the lark knew its Maker, would not it address its songs to him; perhaps it may do so more than we are aware.
J. Ah, Sir, I think I know what you mean. You mean that when we sing, we should remember God sees us, and never sing any thing which may be displeasing to him.
G. Yes, that is what I mean; for as we ought not to say any thing that is wrong, it is very plain we ought not to sing any thing improper. But it is not enough merely to abstain from what is wrong; we ought also to do what is right.
W. Then we ought to sing about God?
G. Are you surprised at that, my boy? Should not those beings whom God has made, live to his glory? Our Lord himself said, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” (Matt. xxii. 37. see also Deut. xiii. 3.) Then is it not right that we should sing to the praise and glory of his grace?
J. But, Sir, we are not always at church? and when we are merry and gay, it would be very strange to sing as we do at church.
