Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1853, by

CARLTON & PHILLIPS,

in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the Southern District of New-York.

PREFACE.

THE design of this work is to furnish, in a convenient form, a large number of suitable Hymns and choice Melodies, for family use, in the Morning and Evening Devotions. Our fathers, as a general thing, used to make singing an important part of their devotions. It is to be regretted, that in this respect we have not followed more closely in their footsteps.

Two very desirable results followed this practice :-A subduing and hallowing influence-which sacred melody, to a greater or less extent, always produces-was exerted in the family circle; and effective, spirited congregational singing was furnished in the churches.

The earlier members of our Church were excellent melodists; and multitudes were drawn to their places of worship by the sweet vocal strains which were sure there to greet their ears. Notwithstanding the effort that is made to make this part of our public devotions spirited and enlivening, we signally fail. Excellent leaders, and well-instructed, powerful choirs, we certainly have. But how deficient must choir-singing necessarily be, as a part of the devotional services of God's house! While the choir, in the absence of an organ, should lead, and produce the harmonythe people-yes, all the people-should sing, making melody in their hearts unto the Lord.

It is gratifying that the Churches, generally, are becoming more interested in this subject, and are gradually returning to the better practice. The only way to accomplish this fully is the cultivation of singing in the family. Besides this, family singing in the morning and evening devotions is delightful! No more lovely spectacle can be presented on earth, than the well-ordered, pious family, uniting together in songs of praise to God. The HYMNS in this work are taken mostly from our Standard HymnBook. Selections from a variety of other sources have been made. A few original Hymns were composed especially for the work.

The gentlemen who compiled our Church Hymn-Book have done the Church great service, and themselves lasting honour, in their selection and arrangement of Hymns for "Family Devotions." No Church Psalmody in the land can compare with the Methodist Hymn-Book, in this respect. These beautiful Hymns are inserted in "Family and Social

Melodies," with tunes especially adapted to them. A large number of Hymns is added for social occasions. Besides these, there is a selection of favourite pieces for various occasions.

The TUNES in this work are for the most part plain and familiar airs, suitable especially for family and social singing. A large number of them are Chorals. They have been selected from the best composers of olden and modern times. Together they present a great variety of metres, and form a most choice collection of music.

For the convenience of those who use the Piano, Melodeon, Seraphine, or Organ, in their family devotions, and are not professional players, the Trebles are written on one staff.

The author acknowledges with pleasure his obligations to Messrs. Lowell Mason, Thos. Hastings, I. B. Woodbury, W. B. Bradbury, C. Dingley, and S. J. Goodenough, and their respective publishers, for permission to use their tunes which appear in this work. He also expresses his obligation to Horace Waters, Esq., of New York, for permission to use as quartettes the Mother's Vow and Family Bible. These gentlemen, though so often taxed for contributions of this kind, have shown their usual and well-known courtesy.

The MUSIC has been rewritten, and especially arranged for this work, by Mr. Emil C. Gaebler, whose diligence in his profession must be crowned with a rich harvest by and by. To his musical taste the author is indebted for valuable selections and original compositions which enrich the work.

The author is not aware that he has used any copyright tune without permission. Such are his views of literary property, that he would not do this. Besides, he would dislike to appear-to say the least-so wanting in the courtesies of life. Still, as music books do not always give credit-and as many tunes are published with different names, and a variety of forms-he may have done so. If any such case occurs, and the author or proprietor will be kind enough to point it out, the proper acknowledgment shall be made, or, if required, the music shall be displaced.

This little work is sent forth, with the hope that it may meet the wants of Christian families. If a copy of it be put into the hand of each member of the household, and, after the Scripture lesson is read, all unite in singing a Morning or Evening Hymn, the good effect of such a course will soon be seen and felt in the family circle. And our children-participating in the devotions-will, with pleasure, look for the hour of Morning and Evening prayer.

DANBURY, CONN., March 4, 1853.

3. Jesus! the Name that charms our fears, 6. Hear him, ye deaf; his praise, ye dumb,