Copies of a few of thefe Hymns have already
appeared in periodical publications, and in
fome recent collections. I have obferved one or
two of them attributed to perfons who certainly
had no concern in them, but as tranfcribers. All
that have been at different times parted with in
manufcript are included in the prefent volume;
and (if the information were of any great import
ance) the Public may be affured, that the whole
number were compofed by two perfons only. The
original defign would not admit of any other affo-
ciation. A defire of promoting the faith and com-
fort of fincere Chriftians, though the principal, was
not the only motive to this undertaking. It was
likewife intended as a monument, to perpetuate
the remembrance of an intimate and endeared
friendship. With this pleafing view, I entered
upon my part, which would have been smaller than
it is, and the book would have appeared much
fooner, and in a very different form, if the wife,
though myfterious providence of God, had not feen
fit to cross my wifbes. We had not proceeded far
upon our propofed plan, before my dear friend
was prevented, by a long and affecting indifpofi
tion, from affording me any farther affistance.
My grief and disappointment were great; I hung
my harp upon the willows, and for Jome time
thought myself determined to proceed no farther
without him. Yet my mind was afterwards led
to refume the fervice. My progrefs in it, amidst
a variety of other engagements, has been flow;
yet, in a course of years, the Hymns amounted
to