wineskins, undoubtedly takes place in things of this nature,
those who are near them. By the commonness of their abundant talk, they will defeat their own end.
One more thing I would take notice of before I conclude this part, is the mismanagement in some places, of the duty of singing praises to God. I believe it has been one fruit of the extraordinary degrees of the sweet and joyful influences of the Spirit of God lately given, that there has appeared such a disposition to abound in that duty, and to frequently fall into this divine exercise — not only in appointed solemn meetings, but when Christians occasionally meet together at each other's houses. But the mismanagement I speak of, is getting into a way of performing it, that is without almost any appearance of that reverence and solemnity with which all visible, open acts of divine worship ought to be attended. It may be two or three in a room singing hymns of praise to God — others who are present, are talking at the same time; or others are going about their work, with little more regard to what is going on, than if some were only singing a common song for their amusement and diversion. There is danger, if such things are continued, of its coming by degrees, to the point that nothing is made of this duty, to the great violation of the third commandment [taking God's name in vain]. Let Christians abound as much as they will in this holy, heavenly exercise, in God's house and in their own houses. But when it is performed, let it be performed as a holy act, in which they directly and visibly deal with God. When any open social act of devotion or solemn worship of God is performed, God should be reverenced as visibly present, by those who are present. Just as we would not have the ark of God depart from us, nor provoke God to make a breach upon us, we should take heed that we handle the ark with reverence.
With respect to companies singing in the streets, going to or coming from the place of public worship, I would humbly offer my thoughts in the following particulars.
1. The rule of Christ concerning putting new wine into old wineskins, undoubtedly takes place in things of this nature, supposing it to be something good in itself, but not essential, and not