DESIGNED FOR MEETINGS ON THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST Improved Edition. THREE PARTS IN ONE VOLUME. PART I. BY JOSHUA V. HIMES. BOSTON: PUBLISHED AT 14 DEVONSHIRE STREET. 1843. Mus 491.20.1843 V PREFACE. THE Harp, in its present form, embraces nearly all the hymns contained in our well-known works,-the "Millennial Harp," "Musings," and "Melodies," (those only having been omitted which are rarely, if ever, sung,) and is designed to furnish a more complete and convenient selection, to be used in our Advent meetings. The hurry with which the abovenamed works were got through the press, necessarily made them, in many respects, defective; though, with all their defects, they have been the means of accomplishing a vast amount of good, by conveying the truth to the mind of those who were in the dark, and awakening the careless; by inspiring new hope in the fainting soul, quickening the languid, and giv. ing utterance to the burning desires and sublime expectations of those who are longing for the appearing of Jesus Christ. We are aware of the difficulty of suiting the taste of all classes in musical and devotional compositions; the greatest possible diversity for this purpose, which is consistent with the nature of the work in which we are engaged, must therefore be allowed. Some of our hymns, which might be objected to by the more grave and intellectual, and to which we ourselves have never felt any great partiality, have been the means of reaching, for good, the hearts of those who, probably, would not otherwise have been affected; and, as our object, like that of the Apostle, is to save men, we should not hesitate to use all means lawful, that may promise to "save some." The general expression of approbation which our former works have called forth, assures us that this effort to improve our Advent Harp will be appreciated by all the true friends of the Advent cause. Boston, October 23, 1843. HARVARD COLLEGE !!!! 1 1939 LIBRARY Phillips Bava |