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HYMNS OF NUMEROUS POPULAR AUTHORS, LIVING AND DECEASED
AND PARTLY FROM THOSE OF UNKNOWN AUTHORS,

AND ENRICHED WITH ORIGINAL HYMNS,

AND SELECTED ONES, ALTERED OR RE-MADE.

BY

JOHN FLESHER.

I WILL SING WITH THE SPIRIT, AND I WILL SING WITH THE
UNDERSTANDING ALSO.-1 COR. xiv. 15.

BOD

OTHECA:

LONDON:

PRINTED BY WILLIAN TYLER, BOLT-COURT

AND

PUBLISHED BY THOMAS HOLLIDAY
SUTTON-STREET, COMMERCIAL-ROAD, ST. GEORGE-IN-THE-EAST.

1853.

[ENTERED AT STATIONERS'-HALL.]

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LETTERS, ABBREVIATIONS, WORDS, AND METRES IN THIS BOOK.

1. THE Consecutive numbers of the hymns in the book are printed above the headings in the middles of the pages. 2.—a, printed after the number of a hymn, is to distinguish one of two hymns of the same number from the other: thus, a, after hymn 77, distinguishes this hymn from hymn 77 without the a. This applies to only ten hymns in the whole book, which I found to be improperly classified, after many hymns had been consecutively numbered and registered in my list of check headings and the Index to first lines.

3.-L., followed by figures at the left hand heading of a hymn, denotes that the hymn is in the Large old book, of the same number as the figures represent.

4.-S., followed by figures at the left hand heading of a hymn, denotes that the hymn is in the Small old book, of the same number as the figures represent.

5.-Altd., after figures and the letter L. or S., at the left hand heading of a hymn, denotes that the hymn in the new book is not a verbatim reprint of the hymn from the Large or Small old book, but is in several respects different therefrom. Altered, abridged, lengthened, remade, re-arranged, and certain relative abbreviations, have respectively a use which will be readily understood by what has been said on the abbreviation-Altd.

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10.-T. M.

Peculiar Metre.

Trumpet Metre, or 4 lines 6's and 2-8's.

11.-4 lines 7's.

Seven syllables in each line.

12.-6 lines 8's. Eight syllables in each line.

The preceding metres are usually given out by two

lines at once.

13.-4 lines 8's and 2-6's. A hymn of this metre is usually given out, first, one line, and then two lines at once.

14.-All 10's, or 10's and 11's, and 12's are given out by one line at once, or two, as is thought most agreeable.

PREFACE.

First.-A new Hymn-book has long been desired by many of our people, and has often been a subject of conferential allusion; but I had not the most distant idea that the editorial work would devolve upon me; for I thought my lack of sufficient poetic genius and taste would save me from such an appointment. When the Conference decided to have the book, and chose me to prepare it, I was surprised, afraid, and humbled; still I felt as I had done in other cases, when under a conferential call,—I durst not disobey, unless I could be satisfied that such a step would be approved by God. Months of perplexity and prayer elapsed; and after I had repeatedly wished that God would either free me from the call, or baptize me for the work, gleams of light began gradually to cross the path which had previously been enveloped in darkness, and eventually my course seemed cloudless. I then fully resolved to proceed, dedicating my powers, feeble as they appeared, to God's service in the entire affair; and I can thankfully and confidently say I have never lost sight of His glory as my supreme aim in the whole of my editorial work, and that I am indifferent of either the approval or disapproval of my fellow mortals, further than it has reference to this object.

Second. In the performance of my work I have used various hymn-books, Home and Foreign; and have been much aided by an extensive assortment of hymns, chiefly from unknown authors, collected by my wife, and pasted into scrap books, during many years' reading of miscellaneous English and American publications,-comprising books. and religious newspapers;-besides which, she has contributed several original hymns, and otherwise assisted me. To the incomparable hymns of the Wesleys, chiefly of the late Rev. Charles Wesley, I have been most indebted; and the excellent hymns of the late Dr. Watts, and of other great and good authors, living and dead, have been freely used the respective names of the authors, when known, have been printed in the index to the first lines.

Third.-Had not my time and studies been much occupied in examining selected hymns, and classifying, altering,

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