PREFACE.

IT appears to be the prevailing opinion in our Churches, that in addition to the excellent Psalms and Hymns of Dr. Watts, it is desirable to avail ourselves of some of the devotional compositions of later and of living Poets. With this view, numerous selections of Hymns, in the form of a Supplement or Appendix, have been presented to the Public, and introduced into social worship. The necessity, however, thus imposed upon a Congregation of obtaining and having in use more than one Hymn Book, occasions considerable inconveniences, especially to the poor. In reflecting on the practicability of obviating these evils, it occurred frequently and forcibly to my mind, that by the omission of such of Dr. Watts's Psalms and Hymns as we are not usually accustomed to sing, there might be introduced a sufficient number from the best Authors, to answer every valuable purpose, without the

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bad I pacitan additional volume. On sugnecessity of an gesting these views to several judicious friends, I had the satisfaction to ascertain, not only that they cordially approved of the plan, but that more than one had long entertained the same ideas, and had fully intended to carry the principle into effect. Encouraged by these representations, as well as by the wishes expressed by not a few in the circle of my pastoral engagements, I have endeavoured to accomplish the object desired.

While actually preparing the present Selection, I ascertained that there had been recently published two valuable Hymn Books, compiled on principles bearing some resemblance to those which have dictated and guided my attempt. The one, however, contains nearly double the number of Hymns which I consider expedient for a Public Hymn Book; and the other omits all specification of the names of the Authors, and also of the number of Hymns selected from the compositions of Dr. Watts.

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Of the 600 Hymns here presented to the Public, about one half are selected from Dr. Watts's Psalms and Hymns, and the other half

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from the best writers to whose productions I had. access. Their names will be found in the Index to the first lines of the Hymns. This plan is adopted, chiefly because it appears sufficient to gratify a reasonable curiosity, without obtruding usdi 9104 of the Author on the attention of the

the name worshipper, at the moment when other and higher considerations demand the full energy of the mind and heart.

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9To every Hymn will be found prefixed a reference to some text of Scripture. In the numerous instances, indeed, in which no single passage of Holy Writ, appears to have guided the mind of the Writer, the text can be regarded the motto. Yet even this, it is preonly Bogeting sumed, by being inserted in the Index of Texts, will be found useful, by facilitating the selection

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of Hymns adapted to particular subjects. 19dama

ari ar It has been my solicitous desire, that in the selection now presented to the public, there should be a considerable proportion of Hymns consisting of direct ascriptions of praise, as also that there should be a very distinct and full recognition of the truths most interesting to the heart of a Christian, and of such especially

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