About fifty years after this period, and 1143 before Christ, the unfortunate daughter of Jephtha, upon hearing of her father's victory over the Ammonites, went out to meet him with timbrels and with dances.

From this time, till Saul was chosen king, 1095 before Christ, the Sacred Text is wholly silent in regard to every species of music, with the exception of the trumpet in military expeditions. But here an incident occurs, which merits particular attention. It is evident from many passages in Scripture, that music was as nearly allied to prophecy as to poetry. Samuel, after secretly anointing Saul king, and instructing him in the measures he is to pursue, for establishing himself on the throne, proceeds, " And "it shall come to pass, when thou art come to the “city, (Beth-el), that thou shalt meet a company "of prophets coming down from the high place, "with a psaltery, a tabret, and a pipe, and a "harp, before them, and they shall prophecy. And "the spirit of the Lord will come upon thee, and "thou shalt prophecy with them."

Many other instances might be cited of this union of music and prophecy. King David cultivated music so early, that St. Ambrose says, in his preface to the first Psalm, "he had always the gift of

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prophecy, and was chosen by God himself, in pre"ference to all other prophets, to compose psalms."

The Chaldean paraphrase understands by prophecying, "adoring God, and singing praises unto him.”

In pursuing the narrative of musical events furnished by the sacred historians, we find that David, on account of his great skill in this science, was called in to administer relief by the power of his harp to Saul, afflicted with an evil spirit.

If it be possible for music to operate medicinally with effect, it may be imagined to be a palliative at least, if not a cure, for a troubled spirit. The human mind when under the pressure of affliction, or warped and agitated by the contention of warring passions, seems a proper subject for soft, and soothing strains to operate upon.

Without having recourse to a miracle in the case of Saul, who had offended God by his disobedience, the whole of David's power over the disorder of that unfortunate prince, might be attributed to his skilful and affecting manner of playing upon the harp. "And Saul's servants said unto him, behold now an "evil spirit from God troubleth thee. Let our Lord 66 now command thy servants which are before thee, "to seek out a man who is a cunning player on an "harp. And it shall come to pass, when the evil

spirit from God is upon thee, that he shall play "with his hand, and thou shalt be well. And Saul "said unto his servants, provide me now a man "that can play well, and bring him to me. Then

"answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I "have seen a son of Jesse, the Bethlehemite, that "is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, "and a man of war: and prudent in matters, and "a comely person, and the Lord is with him.

“Wherefore Saul sent messengers unto Jesse, ❝and said, Send me David, thy son, which is with "the sheep. And Jesse took an ass, laden with "bread, and a bottle of wine, and a kid, and sent "them by David his son unto Saul. And David

came to Saul, and stood before him. And he "loved him greatly, and he became his armour"bearer. And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, Let Da"vid thy son stand before me, I pray thee, for he "hath found favour in my sight. And it came to God was upon

pass, when the evil spirit from "Saul, that David took an harp, and played with "his hand; so Saul was refreshed, and was well, " and the evil spirit departed from him.”

Soon after David had given this specimen of his musical skill, we find him a volunteer in the army of Saul, giving extraordinary proofs of his military prowess, by his victory over Goliah, the champion of the Philistines, who had struck such a terror into his countrymen, that they all declined accepting his challenge, regarding him as invincible. David, returning from the field of battle after his victory

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over the giant, was met by the women of all the cities of Israel," singing and dancing, with tabrets, "with joy, and with instruments of music."

"And the women answered one another as they played, and said," &c.

This is an unquestionable proof of a chant in dialogue, or à dui cori, being in early use and it was this which probably gave rise to the manner of chanting the Psalms in the cathedral service. Ps. 68, the damsels play with timbrels in the procession before the ark. And many other instances might be adduced, of permission being given for females to assist in the performance of sacred rites. In 1 Chronicles, ch. 25, where the musical establishments for religious purposes are all enumerated, we are told," that God gave to Heman fourteen sons and "three daughters. And all these were under the "hands of their father for song, in the house of the "Lord, with cymbals, psalteries, and harps." And Miriam, Deborah, Judith, and Anne, the mother of Samuel, were all regarded by the Jews not only as singers, but as poetesses and prophetesses.

In the reign of King David, music was held in the highest estimation by the Hebrews. The genius of that prince for this science, and his attachment to the study and practice of it, as well as the great number of musicians whom he appointed for

the performance of religious ceremonies, could not fail to extend its influence, and augment its perfections for it was during this period, that music was first admitted into the ministry of sacrifice, and the worship of the ark. "And David, and all the "house of Israel, played before the Lord on all "manner of instruments, even on harps and on psal"teries, and on timbrels, and on cornets, and on "cymbals."

In the 15th, 16th, and 23d chapters of the first book of Chronicles, we find an enumeration of all the musicians employed by David, in the service of the ark, before a temple was erected.

Four thousand of the Levites were appointed to praise the Lord with instruments; and the number of those who were "instructed" and "cunning in

song," amounted to two hundred and eighty-eight.

It does not appear from the Sacred Writings, that, before this time, any other instruments than trumpets were used in the daily celebration of religious rites; though others are mentioned in processions, and on occasions of joy and festivity.

It has ever been the custom of legislators and founders of religious systems, to retain part of the former laws, and sacred institutions. The Egyptians divided the inhabitants of their country into tribes, confining each profession to one family: and