The and heading them, I should most likely have composed many more original hymns than appear in the book. few which are printed, were suggested by the wish to fill up vacancies in my arrangement, for which I had not suitable selections, and the desire to contribute somewhat towards securing an unquestionable copyright of the book for the sole use of our denomination. For the same reason, I re-made or altered some indifferent hymns in our old books, and gave them a place in the new one. book has not been prepared exclusively for congregational use, but partly for reading in the family or closet; and hymns 201, 202, and some others, are better adapted for this use than for that. This Fourth.-Knowing that Providence had not stereotyped the productions of any poet, I have freely altered or remade hymns from authors of different grades of talent and reputation; and for this course, pursued under the consciousness that God is the supreme judge of my motives and work, I hold myself solely responsible. Alterations in a hymn, reaching beyond two or three words of minor importance, have been signified by a suitable word or abbreviation, placed sometimes on the left hand of the heading of the hymn only; but at others, placed also after the author's name in the Index of the first lines. See the Index, towards the end of the book, and the Explanatory Table of Letters, &c., at the back of the Title. Classifying the hymns has been a work of great magnitude; for when I came to examine many hymns, I found that each had such a diversity of subjects, that I could hardly decide for what class it would be most suitable. From this inconvenience arose the determination to abridge, rearrange, divide, alter, or re-make the hymns, so as to carry out my design and arrangement to the best advantage. Some of the alterations of a hymn, marked as such, are not very important, but others amount to a re-making, and cost as much labour as the composing of an original hymn would, or even more; and thus, many of our old hymns have become nearly new; and the new book is, therefore, rendered more than a mere compilation. This will be an important item in strengthening the copyright; as will, also, the fact, that original hymns have been composed exclusively for this book, by Messrs. W. Howcroft, deceased, W. Garner, R. Jukes, E. Foizey, and other poets. When the alterations in a hymn have consisted in the mere exchanging of three or four words, I have thought them undeserving of public notice, because their remaining unnoticed could not materially affect the author. Though I deem the alterations improvements, taking into account their harmony with the design and arrangement of the entire book, yet, considered apart from this view, some persons may deem them defects; and hence arose the propriety of taking the responsibility of making them wholly on myself. The heading of the hymns may seem prolix; but of their general appropriateness I have not the least doubt. After carefully examining hundreds of different headings, and being dissatisfied with most of them, I resolved to frame mine on a principle which occurred to me as sound; and though I have not been able always to observe this principle to my perfect satisfaction, I am, nevertheless, much more satisfied with the headings to which it has given rise, than with any that I have seen, To understand the force and appropriateness of these headings, they must be respectively viewed in connection with the headings of the respective pages and hymns to which they belong; for, while they have reference to the headings of the pages, they are, or ought to be, the indexes to the drift of the hymns: by this rule, then, let them be judged. Fifth. The book may have many poetic and literary imperfections, besides some which I have discovered, and which I should remedy, had I the preparation of it to recommence; but it is as nearly perfect as my talents, time, and circumstances could make it,-aided by the united skill of Brothers Thomas Holliday, William Garner, J. Petty, W. Harland, and the respectable gentlemen connected with the firm of Mr. Tyler, the printer, Could I have concentrated a wider range of talent in preparing the book, I should have been glad; but I dare not mourn the lack of that which was not within my reach. While I thank all my co-workers for their aid, I ask those whom we have sought to serve, to accept our work as done unto the Lord, and to treat it accordingly, then the issue will be His glory, our mutual profit, and the good of tens of thousands of souls in time and for ever. SCARBOROUGH, YORKSHIRE, June 2nd, 1853. JOHN FLESHER. CONTENTS AND ANALYSIS OF THE BOOK. SHOWING THE PROCESS THROUGH WHICH THE GOD-HIS PERFECTIONS AND WORKS, 1-30; HIS PRO- CHRIST-} THE HOLY SPIRIT-VARIOUS HIM, 181-199. VIEWS AND RESPECTING MAN-HIS INNOCENCY, OR PARADISICAL STATE, 200, 201; GENERATION:-HIS LEGAL CONDEMNATION AND HIS Several headings in the book are not arranged as they would be, It struck me that I ought here to commence a statement of FOR SALVATION THROUGH FAITH, 300, 301; BELIEV- ADOPTION, REGENERATION, ETC.:-A conviction of the need of the Spirit's witness, 314; praying for the blessing, 315-317a; the blessing received by faith, 318-322; joy and thanks for the blessing, 323—325; FULL REDEMPTION, SANCTIFICATION, HOLI- NESS-Its evidences, or what it is, 327-330; Desir- ing it, and praying for it, 331-351; Offering soul and body to the Lord, 352-355; Waiting, believing, hoping for the blessing, 356-359; Rejoicing in the hope of receiving it, 360-363; Realizing the blessing MAN-HIS DIVINE AND HEAVENLY COMMUNION, OR JOY- FUL EXPERIENCE AND ANTICIPATIONS:-The blessing described, 365-368; Implored, 369; The pleasure, joy, and praise of its possessor, 370-377; An increase desired, 378; Its possessor exhorted to rejoice in the hope of abundant grace and glory, 379. MAN-HIS CHRISTIAN FAITH, TRUST, RELIANCE:- -Des- cribed, 380, 381; Desirable, 382; Necessary, 383; Implored, 384-387; In operation, 388-391. MAN HIS RELIANCE, HOPE, OR JOY IN TROUBLE: Needful help implored, 392; Strugglings of faith and unbelief, and the prevalence of the former, 393, 394; Various encouragements, and joyful and confiding reliance for needful help and seasonable deliverance, 395-403; Help and deliverance gratefully acknow- ledged, 404-408; Seeking a sanctified use of trouble, 409; Gratefully acknowledging that such a use has been MAN-VARIOUS VIEWS RESPECTING HIS CHRISTIAN SUF- and believing for certain passive and active graces, 419 -426; His comfort in reliance, assurance, possession, or foretaste, 427-436; His holy boasting in Christ, 437, 438; His confiding gratitude, or joyous acknow- MAN-VARIOUS CHRISTIAN GRACES, GROWTH IN GRACE, STEADFASTNESS, PERSEVERANCE: - Descriptive and motive hymns, 442-444; The mind turning from earthly to heavenly objects, 445, 446; Looking through a glass darkly at the love of God, 447; Desiring, long- ing, praying, 448-454; Confiding and rejoicing, 455 MAN-HIS PRAYERFUL OR INTERCESSORY INTERCOURSE WITH GOD: -Prayer described, 465-467; Described and enforced, 468, 469; Incessant prayer enforced, 470; prayer encouraged, 471, 472; The Lord's prayer, 473, 474; that part of the Lord's prayer," Thy will case of the prodigal stated, 498; the wanderer recalled, 499; the wanderer inquiring, 500; deploring, confess- ing, praying, 501-510; Confessing, imploring, believ- ing, 511; Joy in restoration realized, 512. -HIS SPIRITUAL DECLENSION OR BACKSLIDING: MAN- IN PRIVATE WORSHIP,* 513-521. MAN-IN DOMESTIC AND FAMILY WORSHIP:†-Parental hymns, or for the head of a family, 522—524; Resolving and aspiring, 526, 527; Morning's prayer and praise, 528-533; Evening's prayer and praise, 534-545; Family bereavement, 546, 547; Prayer after a journey, 548; Attributing every good to God, 549. GOD'S WORD TO MAN, AND THE CHRISTIAN'S * The hymns under this heading apply to retirement, and to con- + Some of the hymns under this heading are suitable for either |