Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1867, BY POE & HITCHCOCK, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Southern District of Ohio. NOTICE. In the preparation of the "OFFERING OF PRAISE," it has been our desire to present to the public a book which should contain the greatest quantity and the best standard Church music now in use. (It contains over two hundred more Tunes than the "Methodist Hymn and Tune Book" of 1857). To accomplish this end, MR. PHILLIPS has selected from all sources, both old and new, whatever he deemed best adapted to this purpose, and we wish to present our thanks to DR. THOMAS HASTINGS, DR. LOWELL MASON, WM. B. BRADBURY, GEO. F. Root, T. E. PERKINS, and to Messrs. F. J. HUNTINGTON & Co., Publishers of the "Dulcimer," "New Lute," "Day-Spring," and other works of the late I. B. WOODBURY; and we wish also to acknowledge our indebtedness to DANIEL AYRES, SILAS J. VAIL, S. B. POND, WM. C. BROWN, T. C. O'KANE, HUBERT P. MAIN, and CHARLES H. GREENE, Esqs., for gratuitous use of their music, and for their assistance in the preparation of the work. In connection with this work there is an "APPENDIX," or "SUPPLEMENT," Containing a choice selection of Scriptural Anthems, Set Pieces and familiar "Spiritual Songs," "Chants,” etc., etc., which are rendered dear to the heart of every Christian from their frequent use in our churches. The "OFFERING OF PRAISE" would be complete without this addition, but it has been deemed in dispensably requisite to supply a deficiency in Anthems and Set Pieces, so much needed by our Churches and desired by Choristers. CARLTON & LANAIAN. ADDRESS TO THE MEMBERS AND FRIENDS OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. THE Hymn Book heretofore in use among us was, in our opinion, unsurpassed. But the General Conference of 1848, judging that the volume could be improved by a careful revision, and by judiciously multiplying the number of hymns, appointed a Committee, composed of ministers and laymen, to prepare a Standard Edition of the Methodist Hymn Book.* This Committee, having finished the work assigned them, submitted it to the examination of the Book Committee, and of the Editors of the Book Concern; and having been approved by them, it came before us for a final review Our examination has been as thorough as the limited time at our disposal allowed. Although we reluctantly part with some of the familiar hymns of the old book, and though, perhaps, in the judgment of some, they have not, in every instance, been substituted by hymns of greater merit, yet we can confidently approve this Revised Copy, and we do, most cordially, recommend it as a greatly improved and standard edition of the Methodist Hymn Book. We congratulate you, brethren, on having now such a Book as, from the number, variety, and adaptation of its hymns, will not require another revision for generations to come. In presenting to you this Standard Hymn Book, we believe that we are putting into your hands one of the choicest selections of evangelical Hymns for Private Devotion, as well as for Family, Social, and Public Worship. We are gratified also to add, that no mercenary ends are sought in this publication; for after the necessary expenses are met, its avails, if any, will be sacredly devoted to charitable and religious objects, as were the profits of the former edition. We urge you, therefore, by your regard for our Church, and for the authority of the General Conference, to purchase only such Methodist Hymn Books as are published by our Agents, and have the names of your Bishops. We exhort you, dear brethren, to sing with the Spirit, and with the under standing also; and we shall rejoice to join you in time and eternity. Your affectionate pastors in Christ, ELIJAH HEDDING, L. L. HAMLINE, NEW YORK, May, 1849. *The Committee were Rev. D. Dailey, Rev. J. B. Alverson, Rev. J. Floy, Rev. D. Patten, Jun., Rev. F. Merrick, Mr. R. A. West, and Mr. D. Creamer. PREFACE. THAT music has from the earliest period of time been regarded as one of the greatest means of ascribing adoration and praise to Almighty God, is a truth which must be obvious to the mind of every intelligent Christian. When at the fiat of Infinite Wisdom a universe sprang into existence; when the proud waves of the deep were stayed," and the earth wore a rich mantle of verdure, fresh from the hand of its Creator; when the music of a thousand streams mingled with the melody of birds and flowers, the volume of inspiration tells us "the morning stars sang together for joy." It was not the carol of a little twinkling star at one corner of the universe, nor a choir or quartette of the asteroids, but a grand chorus of God's heavens singing out, in concert with nature, praise and glory to him who gave them birth! When from the land of their captivity the children of Israel passed over the Red Sea on dry land, and beheld their enemies engulfed beneath its returning waters, a choral anthem, composed by Miriam, the sister of Moses and Aaron, was then sung by the multitude, being in number six hundred thousand. David, the sweet singer of Israel, called upon the floods to clap their hands, and the hills to shout together for joy. And then in the ecstasy of his soul he exclaims, "O come, let us sing unto the Lord; let us make a joyful noise unto the God of our salvation." Again he bursts forth in strains like these: "Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord;" and again, "Let the people praise thee, O God. Let all the people praise thee." The services attending the dedication of Solomon's Temple were rendered still more impressive and grand by the introduction of music. From the account given us in Holy Writ there is every reason to conclude that the whole congre gation must have joined in the song of praise which called down upon their heads the blessings of their divine Protector. These are only a few among the many instances recorded in the Old Testament which seem to point directly toward congregational singing. เ Let us now turn to the plains of Judah, and for a single moment transport curselves to that eventful night when a whole multitude of the heavenly host singing with a loud voice, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men," appeared to the wondering shepherds and proclaimed the birth of our blessed Lord. We cannot think that a part were silent while a quartette," or select few, were chanting the praises of the world's Redeemer. When, after a lapse of thirty-three years, He who bore our griefs and carried our sorrows came to the closing scenes of his life; when, having celebrated for the last time the Jewish passover, he instituted the solemn ordinance of the Lord's Supper, and said to his disciples, "Do this in remembrance of me," here, we are told, they sang a hymn, and went out into the Mount of Olives. If a few. instead of all, had sung that hymn, would it have been more impressive? The Apostle John, in his desc ption of the New Jerusalem, speaks of a great multitude which no man can number, and represents them as praising God continually. If, then, music is to constitute so much of our blissful employment in heaven, why not, each one of us, begin it, as best we can, in the great congregation of our Lord in his Church below? Believing our proof to be conclusive, that congregational singing was the Orginal method of ascribing praise to Almighty God, we now inquire concerning |