For my own part, I should deem no act inconsistent with the worship of God, in its simplest and purest form, which has a tendency to create a unison of voices which must tend so materially to produce a unity of feeling in the minds of those engaged in one of the most sublime parts of a religious service. I would only advocate the introduction of instrumental music into dissenting chapels to assist the singing, not when it merely offers an opportunity for the display of professional skill. With regard to the parts of Scripture bearing upon the subject, there are no direct commands in the New Testament, either for or against the practice. We read in the Revelations of "the harpers harping with their harps before the throne of God," while, in the Old Testament, we also read of praising God on the high-sounding organ. Surely, if praise was offered to God in this form with acceptance formerly, why shall it not be so in the present day? Some of the Psalms have titles signifying the author who was to set them to music, while others indicate the instrument it was to be played upon; clearly denoting that the accompaniment of music, when directed to God with pious feeling and sincerity of purpose, cannot be unacceptable, and consequently not inconsistent with the worship of the Divine Being; so that, so far from its being a departure from Scripture, it appears to me to be an adherence to it. Your correspondent states that, if he is wrong, he is open to correction. I trust, also, he is open to conviction, and sincerely hope he will not let early prejudices bias his mind to that extent as to pervert his judgment, or gain the ascendancy of his nobler and better feelings. MUSICUS. _London, Feb. 7, 1835._ POETRY. PLEADING FOR MERCY. When at thy footstool, Lord, I bend, And plead with Thee for mercy there, Think of the sinner's dying Friend, And for His sake receive my prayer. O think not of my shame and guilt, My thousand stains of deepest dye: Think of the blood which Jesus spilt, And let that blood my pardon buy. Think, Lord, how I am still Thy own, The trembling creature of Thy hand; Think how my heart to sin is prone, And what temptations round me stand. O think how blind and weak am I; How strong and wily are my foes: They wrestled with Thy hosts on high, And can a worm their might oppose? O think upon Thy holy word, And every plighted promise there; How prayer should evermore be heard, And how Thy glory is to spare. O think not of my doubts and fears, My strivings with Thy grace divine: Think upon Jesus' woes and tears, And let his merits stand for mine.