>>m FROM THE LIBRARY OF REV. LOUIS FITZGERALD BENSON. D. D. BEQUEATHED BY HIM TO THE LIBRARY OF PRINCETON THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY i/ r^ DISCOURSE, AT A PUBLIC MEETING OF THE SINGERS IN THE NORTH PARISH IN WRENTHAM, 13th MAY, 1817. PUBLISHED AT THEIR REftUEST. y By THOMAS WILLIAMS, Pastor of the Church in Foxborougbr DEDHAM : ABEL D. ALLKYNE, PRINTER. 1817. y ) ^ DISCOURSE. PSALM CXLVII. 1, Praise ye tJie Lord ; for ii is good to sing praises unto our Ood ; for it is pleasant ; and praise is comely. ^Allow me to make the songs of a nation, said a wise man ; and who will may make their laws.'' The wisdom of this sentiment appears to be confirmed by divine authority. For the inspired servants of God have been moved, by the Holy Spirit, to com- pose psalms and hymns and sacred songs. A large portion of the Holy Scriptures consists of such poet- ical compositions. These divine poems were design- ed to be sung by the people of God in their public and private devotions. David, ^Uhe sweet psalmist of Israel," employed his noble powers and expressed his holy affections, in singing as well as in composing sacred songs. Wliile he was king over Israel, he appointed a large number of persons, who were instructed in poetry and music, to lead in singing the high praises of God in the solemn assembly of his people. And he constantly laboured, both by in- struction and example, to perpetuate the praises of God during successive generations. The important and pleasant duty of singing praises to God he en- forces upon all persons, in the words of our text. He says, " Praise ye the Lord ; for it is good to sing praises unto our God ; for it is pleasant ; and praise is comely.'^ The duty, which is enjoined in these words, is not limited to any number, nor to any class of persons. But it is as extensive in its application, as any of the instructions or requirements of divine revelation. The words of our text, then, place be- fore us the following sentiment — It is the duty of all persons to sing praises unto God. To illustrate this sentiment it is proposed, I. To enquire what is necessary, in order to sing the praises of God with propriety ; and, II. To show why all persons ought to perform this important and pleasant duty. It is proposed, I. To enquire what is necessary, in order to sing the praises of God with propriety. Incorrect reading and improper speaking are very painful and tedious to persons, who have knowledge and taste respecting these subjects. But incorrect and improper singing, in the public worship of God, is far more painful and tedious. To perform this im- portant duty, with the highest propriety, requires no small degree of attention and knowledge, of judgment and taste. To every judicious person it must be vei^y obvious, that something more than an ignorant, thoughtless and stupid use of the vocal powers is ne- cessary, in order to sing the high praises of God in a proper, decent and devout manner. And here it may be observed^ 1. That in order to sins; praises unto God with pro- priety, it is necessary to Jiave a kno\vled«;e ot* sacred music. Music is a science as well as an art. Hence its fundamental principles admit of real knowledge ; and not merely of notions and opinions. And no person is prepared to perform the duty of sacred sing, ing with propriety, in any greater degree than he has acquired a knowledge of sacred music. It is not ne- cessary, that a person should possess a knowledge of the scientific principles of harmony, in order to know and practise the art of singing. But the art of music must he studied and learnt, before a person can, with any propriety, attempt to sing praises unto God in his public worship. Some knowledge of sa- cred music any person may acquire with a small de- gree of attention. And if no person would attempt to practise, beyond his knowledge, in singing praises unto God, little evil would be done. But it is cer- tainly improper for persons to presume, in their opin- ions and conduct respecting the high praises of the most high God, beyond tlieir knowledge of sacred music. If every person, who is concerned in sacred singing, would acquire a correct knowledge of psalm- ody, what is decent and devout in this important and delightful service would never be condemned ; and what is iudecent and profane would never be approved. But through prevailing inattention and ignorance res- pecting the proper design and performance of psalm- ody, the most painful and pernicious abuse and per- version, in this part of divine worship, have not only been practised and endured, but approved and com- mended. How often have the feelings of pious and judicious persons been vexed and grieved even in the 6 house of God, by such methods of singing diviuc songs, as appeared to imply the utmost contempt of what is decent and devout in his holy presence and worship ! To remove such evils, a correct knowledge of the proper design and performance of psalmody is neces- sary. They, then, who would have the praises of God sung with propriety, should be zealous and faith- ful to obtain and promote the true knowledge of sa- cred music. S. To sing the praises of God with propriety, it is necessary to understand and regard the sentiments, that are expressed in sacred songs. Proper singing is a more perfect expression of sentiment, than is proposed, or can be performed, either by reading or speaking with the utmost propriety. But if a person cannot read nor speak in a proper manner, without a regard to the sentiments his words express, the sacred songs of solemn praise to God must be very imper- fectly performed, while the sentiments they express are not regarded by the singers. Yet the kind of music and the manner of performance, which have, for many years, prevailed in this country, have not the least regard to sentiment, and entirely defeat the important design of singing praises unto God. But it seems to be ceitain and evident, that such a kind of music and such a manner of singing, as have no re- gard to sentiment, must be improper and absurd. The perfection of sacred music consists in the proper expression of divine sentiments in sacred songs. Un- less the sentiments of sacred songs be understood and regarded in the performance of psalmody, the praises of God are not sung with propriety. The sentiments, that are sung in our sacred songs of '^ // praise^ arc very numerous and various. They are the most solemn, sublime, joyful and pathetic, that can awaken the attention or engai^c the affections of human beings. Tiiese sentiments are communicated to us from God himself by Moses and tlie prophets, by the Lord Jesus Christ and the apostles. They respect the eternal perfections and purposes of the living and true God ; and the wonders he performs in creation, providence and redemption. These sen- timents demand and deserve the most serious and af- fecting consideration. And unless th«y be understood and regarded by those persons, who sing praises un- to God, they cannot perform this pleasant and solemn service with propriety. ^. To sing the praises of God with propriety, it is necessary, that the affections of the singers should accord with the sentiments they sing. It is very im- proper to have a discord between the meaning of the words and the tones of the voice in sacred sinerinE:. But, if in psalmody the tones of the voice accord with the meaning of the words, yet unless the heart be filled with such affections, as harmonize with the sentiments, that are expressed in singing, the praises of God are not sung in such a manner, as he most justly requires. Insincerity, in singing sacred songs, is as offensive to God and as injurious to men, as it is in any other part of religious worship. To use such words, as express holy and devout affections, while they do not exist in the heart, is not so good, so pleasant, or so comely, as that gracious sincerity, which unites the heart with the voice in the solemn and affecting duties of devotion. But when the feel- ings of the heart accord with the tones of the voice 8 and the tones of the ^oice accord with the meaning of the words in psalmody ; then the praises of God are sung with the highest propriety. Here permit me to adopt the sentiments and expressions of an excel- lent writer on this subject. " Sacred music can nev- er produce its highest effect, unless it be performed with gracious sincerity. There ought to be a perfect concord between the music^ the words and the heart. It is a just observation, that no man can speak well unless he feels what he says. And it is equally true^ that no man can sing well^ unless he feels what he sings. The highest graces of music flow from the feelings of the heart. They, who sing the praises of God, must possess truly sublime, solemn, tender feel- ings, in order to fill the minds of a religious assem- bly with similar emotions and affections. Besides Ave are to consider the performance of sacred music^ as an act of the highest homage to God. So the apostle recommends it to christians, when he says ^^ singing and making, melody in your heart to the Lord.^^— God requires those, who worsliip him to worship him in spirit and in truth. Accordingly 'the apostle resolved, that he would not only pray with the spirit, but also sing with the spirit. And all^ who are capable of singing with the understanding^ are under peculiar obligations to sing with the spirit and make melody in their hearts to the Lord. He looketh on the heart and not on the voice, or on any outward appearance. He cannot be deceived and he will not be mocked with a solemn sound upon a thoughtless tongue."-^— When the affections of the * Dr. Emanons. singers are truly sincere and gracious, then it is good to sing praises unto God ; then it is pleasant ; and praise is comely. It is now proposed, II. To show why all persons ought to perform the important and pleasant duty of singing praises unto *^ God. This duty is enjoined upon all persons in the holy scriptures without any exception. And it has always been, by the people of God, accounted a divine or- dinance. Sacred singing was an important service in the public worship of God, under the former dis- pensation. The Savior, when he was on earth, sanc- tioned tliis duty by his own example. For he sung an hymn with his disciples at the institution of the Lord's supper. And the same duty is enjoined by the apostles. Paul says to the saints at Ephesus, ^^be filled with the spirit; speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.'^ And to the saints at Colosse he writes, ^* Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs^ singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.'' In view of what God requires in his word, it appears to be the duty of all persons to sing his praises. And it has been the opinion of the ablest and best divines in New-England, as well as in oth- er christian countries, that religious congregations ought^ generally, to unite in this part of divine wor- ship. In a sermon on self-examination, President Edwards addressed his hearers in the following manner; ^' Do you not live in sin, in living i neg- lect of singing God's prniwpc^ Tf ci?\ging praises to 10 God be an ordinance of God's public worship, as doubtless it is, then it ought to be performed by the whole worshipping assembly. If it be a command^ that we worship God in this way, then all ought to obey this command, not only by joining with others in singing, but in singing themselves. For if we suppose it will answer the command of God for us only to join in our hearts with others, it will run us into this absurdity, that all may do so; and then there will be none to sing, none for others to join with. — If it be an appointment of God, that christ- ian congregations should sing praises to him, then doubtless it, is the dutv of all. If there be no ex- ception in the rule, then all ought to comply with it, unless they are incapable of it; or unless it would be a hindrance to the other work of God's house, as the case may be with ministers, who sometimes may be in great need of that respite and intermission af- ter public prayers, to recover their breath and strength, so that they may be fit to speak the word. But if persons be not now capable, because they know not how to sing, that doth not excuse them, unless they have been incapable of learning. As it is the command of God, that all should sing, so all should make conscience of learning to sing, as it is a thing, which cannot be decently performed at all without learning. Those, therefore, who neglect tu learn to sing, live in sin, as they neglect what is necessary in order to their attending one of the or- dinances of God's worship. Not only should per- sons make conscience of learning to sing themselves, but parents should conscientiously see to it, that their children are taught this among other things, as their 11 education and instruction belong to them." In these observations of President Kdw ards we have a cor- rect statement of the obligation, which lies upon all persons to sing praises unto God in his public wor- ship. And for a faithful and cheerful performance of this duty several considerations will now be offer- ed. ^ 1. Singing praises to God is the most direct and powerful method of filling the heart with religious sentiments. In this duty the heart is immediately affected and turned to God. And wlien the heart is raised to God, all the objects, that are seen by the light of divine truth, engage the affections and pro- duce the most distinct and permanent impressions. The reading of the scriptures and the preaching of the gospel God has appointed for the purpose of com- municating religious knowledge to the human mind.- But in the use of these means a person is not so high- ly active in his attention to divine objects, as he is in singing praises unto God. What is sung employs and fills the heart in a greater degree than what is read or preached. It is a common practice to repeat, very often, what a person wishes to impress upon his heart. But such an effect is produced by singing more perfectly than in any other way. When the apostle had said to christians, " let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom,'' he immediately adds, as the best method of obtaining this object, '' teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." In singing sacred songs persons are active in instructing themselves and fill- ing their own hearts w ith divine truth. Serious per IS sons more frequently use the sentiments they learn in singing than those they learn in reading or in hear- ing religious instruction. In our songs of praise to God we instruct ourselves and fill our hearts with the sentiments, that are given to us in the scriptures and taught by the ministry of the gospel. Sacred singing, therefore, is the most direct and powerful method of filling the heart with divine truth. Reading and preaching are suited to inform the understanding and convince the conscience more than singing ; but they do not possess so great a degree of influence in turn- ing the heart to divine objects and filling it with re- ligious sentiments. It is> therefore, as much the du- ty of every person to sing sacred songs, as it is to use the best means to fill his own heart or the hearts of other persons with the instructions of the gospel. %, Singing praises to God has a direct and power- ful tendency to excite and maintain the exercise of holy affections. Sacred singing enlivens, enlarges and purifies the moral feelings of human beings. This duty awakens and engages the affections by the most excellent and amiable objects. It arrests and fixes the attention upon the perfections, the purposes, the exertions and enjoyments of the living and true God. In view of his greatness and goodness^, holy fear^ love, ^ith, hope, joy and every other christian grace is excited, increased and strengthened in the hearts of his people. Singing praises to God removes vain thoughts, worldly cares and unholy affections. Pi- ous persons often find^ that when neither reading the scriptures, nor preaching the gospel; nor religious conversation, nor prayer, will engage and move their iicarts, yet the songs of Zion will produce this happy 13 eflPect. Indeed sacred sin£;ing, when it is properly and devoutly performed, is better suited to remove evil feelings and to excite proper afl'ections than any other means of grace. The psalmist, ^vho was hii;h- ly distinguished for the purity and ardency of his ho- ly aflections, was doubtless greatly indebted for his spiritual improvement and happiness to his constancy and fervency in singing sacred songs. This duty does, in a peculiar manner, afl'ect the heart. And it has a direct and powerful tendency to excite and maintain every holy and devout affection. They, then, who would use the best means to promote the highest excellence and beauty of their rational exis- tence, are bound to sing praises unto God. 3. Psalmody is the most proper method of express- ing and increasing spiritual enj oyments. The psalm- ist says in our text^ '' Praise ye the Lord ; for it is good to sing praises unto our God ; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely." And James says, '' Is any merry? let him sing psalms." In sacred singing the heart is fixed upon the great and lovely objects, that afford the people of God their present support, comfort and delight ; and ensure their future and eternal blessedness and glory. In this duty their weary spirits are revived amidst all their troubles and sorrows on earth. The psalmist says unto God. ^' Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage." When Paul and Silas had re- ceived many stripes and were cast into prison and fastened in the stocks, they not only expressed, but increased their holy comfort and joy by praying and singing praises unto God. No other part of relig- ious worship is so well suited to express and promote 14 the spiritual communion and happiness of a religious assembly as sacred singing. The people of the world express and increase their sinful joys by profane songs. But sacred music affords as much greater pleasure than profane music can afford, as the knowl- edge, service and favor of God exceed the vain and transient pleasures of the slaves of satan. Sacred singing is the most perfect expression of divine and holy delight ; and the best method of preserving and increasing the enjoyments of religion. And on this account the duty of singing praises to God ought to be performed by every person. 4. The proper performance of psalmody has the most happy influence upon every other part of divine worship. The reading of the scriptures does, in a special manner, afford instruction. The duty of prayer does, in a special manner, afford relief and comfort. The preaching of the gospel does, in a special manner, produce conviction and reformation. But the ordinance of sacred singing is designed and suited to produce all these holy and happy effects. It instructs, it comforts and it reforms every person, who does, in a proper manner, worship God in the duty of singing his praises. Besides, a greater num- ber of person can, in a higher degree, be active in performing this service than in the other parts of di- vine worship. Only one can, at the same time, be active, with propriety, in reading the holy scriptures, or in offering prayers unto God, or in preaching the gospel ill religious assemblies. But a whole assem- bly, however numerous, may, at once, with the high- est propriety, speak to themselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs ; singing and making mel- ^2 ,4 15 ody in their hearts to the Lord. In tliis duty the most numerous assembly may^t oncc.unite in the wor- ship of God with the noblest powers of the human frame and the noblest efforts of their immortal spirits. Psalmody assists and enlivens every other part of divine worship. And it has the most happy influence upon the services and enjoyments of the Lord's-dtiy. If any part of divine worship be important and pleas- ant, sacred singing is to be most highly esteemed and most faitli fully performed by all persons. This ser- vice, as the psalmist declares in our text, is good and pleasant and comely. It is, therefore, the duty of all persons to sing praises unto God. And this duty is urged upon every person by the most powerful and pleasant motives. IMPROVEMENT. 1. If sacred singing be so important and pleas- ant a part of divine worship on earth, hence we may see the exceeding greatness of the glory, which the people of God will enjoy in heaven. They are represented, iu the scriptures, as employed in singing praises unto God. This employment will be, in all respects, the best service they can perform. And this ecrvice they will be prepared to perform with the highest propriety. Their bodies will have been rais- ed in glory and be fashioned like unto the glorious body of tlie Lord Jesus Christ. Their minds will be free from error and their hearts will be free from sin. Their outward situation will be perfectly pleas- ant, beautiful and glorious. There will be nothin***, that can in the least distract or disturb their hoiy and IS Joyful affections. ^ Their society will be exceedingly and inconceivably numerous. And they will experi- ence the most perfect union of sentiment, affection and enjoyment. The theme of their songs and praises will be the clearest and fullest expression of divine goodness in the redemption of sinful and guilty crea- tures. While they behold the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ, they will be filled with knowl- edge, love and joy. Every object and every event in the universe will serve to promote their happiness and to elevate and enrapture their praises. They will enjoy communion with their God and Father and with' their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ through the power and grace of the Holy Spirit. Nothing, then, can ever destroy, or lessen, or limit the future glory of the righteous in heaven. In such a state their high- est and noblest employment will consist in singing praises unto God. This will, probably, be the only act of worship and communion, in which they can, at once, unite with all their powers. In this divine employment " ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands'^ will unite their powerful and pleasant voices and express the pure, ardent and joyful emotions of their immortal spirits. Their voices, their sentiments and their affections will be perfectly harmonious. Then, indeed, their praises to God will be good and pleasant and comely. But the exceeding greatness of their glory and the beauty and blessedness of their songs of praise must infinite- ly exceed all present description and conception. S. If singing praises to God be so important and pleasant a part of divine worship, then we may see in what the future glory of the church on earth will 17 chiefly consist. It will chiefly consist in being pre- pared to sing praises unto God with propriety. Un- til the praises of God are sung in religious congrega- tions with decency and devotion by the wliole assem- bly he is not worshiped in the highest beauty of ho- liness. The worship of God is imperfect and defec- tive, so far as there is a failure in respect to the duty of singing praises to his great and holy name. This is the only part of divine worship, in which a numer- ous assembly, or any number of persons, can at once unite with their hearts and voices. Until a religious assembly is prepared to sing praises unto God with propriety, they are not prepared, as they ought to be, for the other duties of his worship. Prayers ar« of- fered with languor and discordance in an assembly, that cannot unite in offering praises. The gospel is preached and beared with little effect, when the heart is not moved and the tongue employed in singing the high praises of God. But how fervent and prevalent would be the prayers of an assembly, that were pre- pared to sing praises unto God with the harmony of numerous voices and the melody of lioly love. Haw sweet to the ears and how joyful to the hearts of such an assembly would be the glad tidings of the king- dom of God. When the church shall arise from her sackcloth and ashes and fill the earth with light and love and peace, then the praises of God will move every heart and employ every tongue. Then there will be, in no religious assembly, however numerous, one silent worshipper. Simple, decent and devout will be their tunes of praise. Their voices will be sweet, solemn, delightful and harmonious. And they will make melody in their hearts to the Lord. That 3 the praises of God may be so performed ow earth, the church must greatly advance in knowledge, holi- ness and happiness. And in these respects the peo- ple of God will certainly advance, even on earth, far beyond our present conception. For it is written, *' the knowledge of the Lord shall cover the earth, as the waters do the sea." And again, ^^all shall know the Lord from the least to tlic greatest." All nations shall yet know and praise the living God. By faith we may now behold what the christian poet des- cribes— ^ One song employ's all nations ; and all cry, ' Worthy the Lamb, for he was slain for us.' The dwellers in the vales and on the rocks Shout t© each other ; and the mountain tops From distant mountains catch the flying joy ; Till nation after nation, taught the strains, Earth rolls the rapturous hosannah round." When all nations shall receive the gospel In its pu- rity and power and be prepared to praise the Lord and sing to the honor of his name, then the church on earth will appear in glory and beauty. 8. If singing praises to God be so important and pleasant a part of divine worship ; and if all persons ought to perform this duty ; then we may see the ve- ry imperfect state of divine worship at the present time. Very small is the number, who sing praises to God, when it is compared with the whole number, that assemble in religious congregations. And in many congregations the praises of God are sung with so little decency and devotion, that scarcely any good effect is produced by this part of divine service^ and 19 ill some congregations this solemn and pleasant duty is entirely perverted and profaned. Tlic profes- sors of religion, generally, take no part in this ser- vice ; nor do tliey imagine, that by such neglect they dishonor their profession, or injure religion, or dis- please God. Rarely does any church, as a body, take the subject of singing praises to God into their consideration ; or do any thing to maintain and pro- mote this part of divine worship. At the table of the Lord few arc the communicants, who have any part orlotinthis matter. Nor do the ministers of the gospel often explain and enforce upon their hearers this important and pleasant duty. How little of the highest and noblest employment in heaven is yet seen in the church on earth. When God is not truly prais- ed in sacred songs, but little of what is good, pleas- ant and comely can be found in religious worship. When shall we see, in the house of God, on his holy and blessed day, his professed worshippers engaged io give unto him with their hearts and voices the praise and glory, which are due to his great and ho- ly name ? 'i. If singing praises to God with propriety be the duty of all persons, then there is great need of a general reformation respecting this important subject. Moral evil has a blinding influence. And when it lias arisen to a great height, its existence is not seen and felt by the subjects of it. Ministers, churches and religious rongregations have been lulled into a deep and dreadful slumber in respect to the diyine ordinance of psalmody. But it is now seen and felt by judicious and pious people, very extensively, that the duty of sacred singing has been greatly neg- £0 lected and perverted. And the more the subject is considered, the more necessary and important does it appear, that in this part of divine w^orship there should be a general reformation. Ought not ministers, as the servants of God, to declare what he requires and what religious congregations are bound to perform in respect to this subject? Should not churches be zeal- ous and faithful to establish and maintain this part of divine worship? Ought not families to honor God in their houses by singing his praises ? Ought not chil- dren to be taught to praise God in sacred songs with their lively spirits and cheerful and pleasant voices ? — And ought any persons, when they are settled in life, or as soon as they advance a little into years, to withdraw their example and their influence from the important service of singing praises to God in his public worship ? — This improper and sinful conduct kas been an extensive and pernicious evil in respect to psalmody in our religious congregations. Every person ought to feel a deep and solemn interest in the great duty of singing praises to God. In public wor- ship the whole assembly ought to be filled with the spirit of devotiou and to speak to themselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in their hearts to the Lord. If religious con- gregations ought to sing praises unto God with pro- priety, decency and devotion, then there is great need of a very general reformation in respect to this sub- ject. 5. If singing praises to God be so important and so pleasant, then there is reason to regard with grati- tude whatever is favorable in respect to this duty. An extensive and successful effort to promote the ^// proper performance of psalmody has becu made in !New-Engkiid within a few years. At first here and there a single person was engaged in respect to this object. And by their exertions some little inipres- fiion was madt against the torrent of erroneous opin- ions and evil practices, that had spread over the land and swept decency and devotion from our religious assemblies. At the present time several numerous and extensive societies are formed and engaged to promote the decent and devout performance of psal- mody. A society for this purpose has been estab- lished in this county and has commenced its opera- tions with a pleasing prospect of success. Very late- ly the waters of life in respect to sacred music have been flowing into this part of the county and begin to animate and purify our religious assemblies. It is now to be devoutly desired, that the spirit of at- tention and improvement may pervade every parish and unite the whole county in the important object of promoting sacred music. This is the object of the Norfolk Musical Society, and they call upon every parish to unite and assist in their exertions. The plan of union is simple and easy. Should this plan excite proper attention and receive deserved encour- agement, the psalmody in our congregations may soon be raised to a degree of excellence, of which we have at present no conception. In this important object it it hoped and believed, that the singers in this Parish will not be contented with a low station. They can, if tlicy please, stand among the foremost ranks of the county in the good and pleasant and comely duty of singing praises unto God. Their recent ex- ertions and proficiency have laid a foundation for con- 3^- stant and permanent improvement. Nothing now is requisite but attention^ union^ firmness and zeal in order to their singing the praises of God with increas- ing propriety. Let the singers, then, who are now present, consecrate themselves, sincerely and cheer- fully, to the service of God in the duty of singing his praises. And may they be so attended, by the spir- it and blessing of God ; while engaged in his wor- ship on earth, that they may be prepared to unite with his redeemed people in the perfect and endless siongs of heaven. Amen. 1 ''•mm ^-'»'j