April 3

and prove that God never forsakes his people, but is with them in trouble, and comforts them in all their tribulation, and enables them to acknowledge "he hath done all things well." "It is good for me that I have been afflicted."

APRIL 3.—"They sung an hymn."—Matthew 26:30.

THIS is a circumstance not mentioned by the other evangelists. But it is very instructive.

We should like to have known the very hymn they sung. The psalms the Jews used at the end of the passover began with the one hundred and thirteenth, and ended with the one hundred and eighteenth. Was the hymn here used one of these? Or was it any one else of the compositions of David, "the sweet Psalmist of Israel?" Or was it the words of any other pious poet? We cannot determine. We have every reason to believe the subject of it was suited to the occasion; and never had language been so honoured before. We might also have wished to know the manner in which they performed it—Was it recitative or choral? Symphonious or responsive? But how did he join? Oh! to have seen the emotions of his countenance, to have heard the strains of his voice!—But the Scripture is not designed to indulge our curiosity. It therefore only says, "They sung an hymn." But the fact itself teaches us that singing is a Christian ordinance. It is sanctioned by our Lord's own example. And the authority for the usage was not overlooked by the Apostles; as we see both in their practice and precepts. Thus at Philippi we find Paul and Silas at midnight not only prayed, but "sung praises unto God; and the prisoners heard them." And thus Paul says to the Colossians, "Teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." And James enjoins those who are merry to "sing psalms."

But observe by what this singing was immediately preceded, and by what it was immediately followed.

It was immediately preceded by the administration of his own supper. Hence we learn that singing should accompany this sacred ordinance. "Joy becomes a feast!"—And this is a feast—a feast of love and friendship—a feast of reconciliation between God and us—a feast upon the sacrifice—a feast in which we are reminded that "his flesh is meat indeed, and his blood drink indeed." And we ought not only to be thankful for such a death, but for such a memento and emblem of it. For here we have signs so lively and sensible that before our eyes he is evidently set forth crucified among us. And what an honour that we, who are not worthy of the children's crumbs, are allowed to sit down with the King at his table, as a proof that "we are fellow citizens with the saints and of the household of faith!"

"While all our hearts, and all our songs, Join to admire the feast:— Each of us cries with thankful tongues, Lord, why was I a guest?"

It was immediately followed by his entrance into Gethsemane—When they had sung a hymn "they went out into the mount of

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