The authorized translation of Ephesians v.

19: "_speaking to yourselves_ in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs," whatever we may think of its accuracy does as it stands describe one of the chief functions of religious services of the "hearty congregational" sort.

We do speak to ourselves--our deeper, and more plastic selves--in our psalms and hymns; so too in the common recitation, especially the chanting, of a creed.

We administer through these rhythmic affirmations, so long as we sing them with intention, a powerful suggestion to ourselves and every one else within reach.

We gather up in them--or should do--the whole tendency of our worship and aspiration, and in the very form in which it can most easily sink in.